130 Account of the Balchra column, and [Makch, 



cm his shoulder as a bhangi, laden with two hills. The bhangi however broke 

 with the weight near to the spot where the pillar stands, and two hills or mounds 

 were there left by Bhim Sink, and remain to the present day, and are to be 

 6een, one near the pillar, the other at a distance of a few hundred yards. 



" Many years after this happened, the spirit of the place appeared to a Bengali 

 in a dream, and informed him that there was immense treasure buried under 

 the pillar in copper handis or vessels bound with chains. The spirit re- 

 quested him to take a journey or pilgrimage to the spot and possess it. The 

 Bengali travelled to the place, and found the pillar a few feet above the ground, 

 in the middle of a large jungle, inhabited by wild beasts of every description. 

 However, notwithstanding the danger, he began to clear away the jungle, and dig 

 for the treasure. At a great depth, he came to a well or small tank, on the sur- 

 face of which floated a large silver ckokl (or seat), and through a hole in the 

 middle, the pillar descends down into the water to an unknown depth. By the 

 side of the well are stationed two swdms (large black bees), the size of a man's 

 fist, to protect the place and treasure. The Bengali entered this sanctuary, dis- 

 appeared, and was never heard of more. The pillar after this affair rose to the 

 height of two tddl trees, and has since been sinking at the rate of an inch an- 

 nually. Many years after the Bengali's disappearance, an English gentleman came 

 to the place and dug down to discover the base of the pillar, but when he came to 

 the silver Choki he was attacked by two swdms, one of which stung and killed 

 hira on the spot : since that time, no one dare venture to dig below the pillar, 

 which has subsequently remained unmolested." 



It is easy to reconcile some parts of this tradition with natural caus- 

 es. For instance, that the place has at no distant period been a 

 jungle, inhabited by wild beasts, is very probable ; for several that have 

 been known to avoid the habitations of man are now found on the 

 spot, unwilling to quit their ancient haunts. On the elevated part of 

 a heap of brick rubbish a porcupine has now its den : four holes lead to 

 its tenement, which is situated at a great depth below. The quantity 

 of earth and brick rubbish this animal had thrown to the surface 

 might strengthen the idea that the den had been made by a larger ani- 

 mal, had it not been frequently seen by the natives who live close to 

 the spot, one of whom endeavoured to capture the animal, but his for- 

 midable armour proved too sharp for the man's hands and arms, and 

 he escaped into his den with the loss of a few quills, which I purchased 

 of the hardy hunter for a few pice. 



A few yards to the north of the pillar stands a mound or tumulus 

 of solid brick-work, of a conical shape, similar to the one above de- 

 scribed, near Bassar : the top is surmounted by a large pipal tree, to all 

 appearance many centuries old. The outward parts of this mound 

 are dilapidated by time. The bricks it has been built with are a foot 

 square, and have been well burnt ; mud has been used in place of 

 mortar. On the north side an excavation has been made to the very 

 centre, by a doctor (as I was informed), resident at Mozafferpur, 30 



