1836.] Notes on the Antiquities of Bdmidn. 709 



ed, and supporting the folds of drapery with which they have been 

 clothed. Their features have been destroyed, by removing one-half 

 of their heads, or as far as the lips, leaving the hinder halves with 

 the ears, enormously large, appended*. 



The work of mutilation was one of some labor, and having been 

 executed with precision, will have been directed by authority, possibly 

 by that of the Arabian conquerors. A subsequent and less systema- 

 tic mutilation has been practised on the idols, by breaking off their 

 hands, and fracturing their legs, for the merits of which Jenghiz, 

 Timu'r, Aurangze'b, and even Timu'r Shah Du'ranni', who are all 

 accused, may dispute. 



The idols stand in vast niches formed in the rock, whose sides on a 

 level with the necks of them have been embellished with paintings. 

 These consist of busts and seated figures, both male and female. The 

 niche of the superior idol has on each side a line of twelve female 

 figures, and, what is of great importance, at its summit, over the idol's 

 head, is an inscription, obviously intended to unravel the mystery. 

 The niche in which stands the second idol in importance has no 

 inscription, but on either side has lines of twelve male and female 

 busts, among which is one so valuable that we need not regret the 

 absence of a literal testimony ; over the head of this idol is a painted 

 full length female figure. The niches of the other idols are also 

 embellished with paintings. 



On either side of the niches are series of stairs, cut in the rock, 

 which conduct to their summits or to the heads of the idols — each 

 series of steps leads to a small square apartment, and these several 

 apartments have been superbly decorated with gilding and lapis lazuli. 

 To illumine these passages, apertures have been cut through the rock 

 towards the idols. We ascended to the summit of the second idol by 

 the passage on the one side, and walking round the hinder part of its 

 head, descended by the steps on the other side. Near the summit or 

 above the lines of paintings the niches have been widened, and on 

 either side has been formed a takht or sofa, obviously for the conve- 

 nience of sitting upon. The superior idol has or had the same facili- 

 ties of ascent to the summit, but at the time of our visit the lower 

 caves near it were occupied by an unaccommodating Tajik, who had 

 stowed in the passage his stock of provender. We could not prevail 

 upon him by menace or entreaty to open the path, and he evasively 

 affirmed that he had never heard of one. We did not insist with him, 

 relying upon making a further visit, which until now has not happen- 



* See a sketch of thein published with Lieut. Burnes' Description, J. A. S. 

 vol. ii. 561. 



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