1862.] Proceedings of the Asiatic Society. 99 



the extension and consolidation of Empire ; but the establishment 

 of the Trigonometrical Survey shows that it has not been unmindful of 

 the claims of science. It would redound equally to the honor of 

 the British Government to institute a careful and systematic 

 • investigation of all the existing monuments of ancient India. 



4. In describing the ancient geography of India, the elder Pliny, 

 for the sake of clearness, follows the footsteps of Alexander the 

 Great. For a similar reason, in the present proposed investigation, 

 I would follow the footsteps of the Chinese pilgrim Houen Thsang, 

 who in the 7th century of our era, traversed India from west to east 

 and back again, for the purpose of visiting all the famous sites of 

 Buddhist history and tradition. In the account of his travels, 

 although the Buddhist remains are described in most detail with 

 all their attendant legends and traditions, yet the numbers and 

 appearance of the Brahminical temples are also noted, and the 

 travels of the Chinese pilgrim thus hold the same place in the 

 history of India, which those of Pausanias hold in the histor}' - of 

 Greece. 



5. In the North "Western Provinces and Behar the principal 

 places to be visited and examined are the following, which are also 

 shown in the accompanying sketch map : — 



I. Khalsi, on the Jumna, where the river leaves the hills. At 

 this place there still exists a large boulder stone, covered with one 

 of Asoka's inscriptions, in which the names of Antiochus, Ptolemy, 

 Antigonus, Magas, and Alexander are all recorded. This portion 

 of the inscription, which on the rock of Kapurdigiri (in the Yusufzai 

 plain,) and of Dhauli (in Cuttack) is much mutilated and abraded, 

 is here in perfect preservation. A copy of this inscription and an 

 account of the ruins would therefore be valuable. 



II. Hurdwar, on the Ganges, with the opposite city of Mayur- 

 poora. 



III. Mundore, SumbJiul, and Saswan, in Rohilkund. 



IV. Karsana near Khasgunj. 



V. Sunkissa, between Mynpoorie and Futtehgurh, where it is 

 known that many remains of Buddhism still exist. This was one of 

 the most sacred places amongst the Buddhists. 



VI. Mutira. — In one of the ancient mounds outside the city, the 

 remains of a large monastery have been lately discovered. Numer- 



o 2 



