1835.] ancient Temple at Harsha, in Shekdwati. 363 



The surface of the top of the hill is about one mile long by 100 

 yards average breadth, and shews many bare spots, where the second- 

 ary sandstone, coming to the surface, checks vegetation ; there are 

 also large masses of felspar scattered in an unconnected manner over it. 



The whole surface of the hill, both sides and top, is covered 

 ■with jungle of Dhau and Soldhri, 15 to 25 feet high, and thickly 

 studded with clumps of cactus. The jungle, when I visited the spot, 

 was without leaves, and presented the appearance shewn in the sketch. 



On arriving at the building which had principally excited my curi- 

 osity from the plain below, I found it occupied a site about quarter 

 distant from the south-westerly end of the top of the. hill, and on the 

 precipitous verge of the northern face. The guide and officiating 

 brahmans informed me, that it may be distinctly seen from the hills 

 round Jeypore, 35 coss S. E. from Sambre, 30 coss south at Midag, 

 and when standing in relief against the dark background of a rain- 

 bow, it has frequently been seen from thence and Baudra, two villages 

 or towns in the said territory, distant 45 coss N. E. by E. Such is 

 the native account, which I think is entitled to belief, as I have myself 

 seen it from Taen, a distance of about 40 miles, at least I imagine so, 

 without taking much trouble to find it out. It is a plain building, of 

 a similar though plainer style of architecture, than the Mandirs of 

 Bindraband, Mathura, &c. It is reported to have been built by Seo 

 Singh, a Raja of Sikar, and great grandfather to the present Raja, 

 about the year 1718. Many of the stones composing its base are 

 specimens of elaborate and elegant sculpture, the remains of buildings 

 lying in confused heaps near it to the south-west. 



These ruins, which are not visible from below, in their present un- 

 pretending state, on being discovered, entirely engross the attention ; 

 the only remaining perfect parts of them consist of two rows of 

 columns, of exceedingly beautiful proportions and workmanship, 

 covered with exquisite sculpture, every line and harris of which is as 

 finely preserved as if drawn on paper or executed in alabaster. They 

 are 10 in number, (Plates xxix. fig. 1.) These are flanked on either 

 side by square pillars, fig. 2, also beautifully carved, and are brought 

 up through (I must say, for want of a more applicable expression) a 

 ledge, which protrudes 2 feet in towards the centre of the apartment, 

 from each of its four sides being only broken by the two door- ways. 

 I have no idea of the use of this ledge, as it forms no necessary part 

 of the building, neither is it at all ornamental, unless it has been 

 used for the reception of offerings made to the deity to whom the 

 building has been dedicated, or for sacrificial purposes : but its presenee 

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