1836.] Sketch of the State of Miiar, Malay Peninsula. 561 



In the third small cave, 45 or 50 feet by 20 to 24, is a more elaborate altar 

 (dehgopa), having three globes superposed, and each stage ornamented with four 

 pillars — on the top four figures, now much worn, supported a canopy, (evidently 

 the ordinary Buddhist Chaitya.) But all these desultory descriptions and frag- 

 ments of conversation can be of no use but to stimulate you to come hither, 

 &c. &c." 



In the same graphic style our visitor describes the kund or reser- 

 voir at the foot of cliffs 250 feet in height — and the Dehgopa or 

 Buddha cave. Dr. Bird found no less than 25 chambers, some in an 

 unfinished state and now covered with earth. Notwithstanding pro- 

 testations about defacing monuments, this visitor contrived to peel 

 off four painted figures from the zodiac or shield ! To have copied the 

 whole, even had he been an artist, would have taken twenty days. Of 

 the fresco figures, in three divisions of the shield, were extant in 1828, 

 73 figures varying from 5 to 7 inches high. It is a great pity that 

 none of our European tourists, whose pencils every year produce such 

 exquisite bijoux, can be persuaded to make a visit to Ajanta, before the 

 remainder of these treasures of antiquity moulder away with the damp, 

 or fall a prey to the hand of the spoiler. 



V. — Sketch of the State ofMuar, Malay Peninsula. By T. J. Nbwbold, 

 Lieut., A. D. C. to Brigadier General Wilson, C. B. 



The information contained in this paper was obtained partly from 

 personal observation, and partly from inquiries made while on a visit 

 to the chief of the country at Gressik, on the Miiar river, in 1835. 



The state of Mtiar lies to the south of the Malacca territory, from 

 which it is divided, towards the coast, by the Cossang river, and inte- 

 riorly by a suppositious line drawn between Bankon, Chondong and 

 Mount Ophir. The Serting river separates it from Pahang, — Parrit 

 Siput from the tract of Dattu Kdya Padang — and the Murbdwe Sa-ratus 

 from Johdle. 



Population. — The interior of Muar is generally termed Segdmet. 

 The united population is stated not to exceed 2,400. This appears 

 extremely scant compared with the extent of territory ; and arises 

 from the misgovernment and apathy of the feudal sovereign, the 

 Sultan of Johdre — whence perpetual broils among the petty chiefs, 

 causing insecurity of person and property, and eventually desertion of 

 the soil by most of the cultivating and trading classes of the commu- 

 nity. The honest peasant, in many instances, is compelled from sheer 

 necessity to turn robber ; and the coasts, instead of being crowded 

 4 D 



