18G6.] Buddhist Monasteries and Temples, 65 



height, but the architraves above the capitals are of the same height 

 as those in the smaller cloister, namely one foot. These pillars differ 

 greatly both in shape and ornamentation from those just described. 

 Some of them are covered with profuse carving cut deeply into the 

 stone, which in many instances is so sharp and well-defined as to give 

 the appearance of having been recently executed. The lotus plant — ■ 

 pod, leaf, blossom and stem — forms a conspicuous object in many of 

 the designs, all of which are striking, but some are exquisitely chaste 

 and elegant. The chakwa or Brahmani duck is represented in various 

 attitudes on the noble scroll-work extending along the square 

 sides of several shafts from the base to the capital. These scroll bas- 

 reliefs equal the carvings on the Sanchi pillars in richness, whilst the 

 designs are much more free in their conception. There were formerly 

 human figures, probably of a grotesque form, carved upon some of 

 the pillars, as traces of them are still distinctly discernible, but these 

 were defaced and almost obliterated by the Mohammedans, on taking 

 possession of the edifice and appropriating it to their own uses. The 

 pillars are regularly arranged with regard to the Singhasan, and the 

 finest pillars are in the centre of the cloister, in the direction of its 

 depth ; and above them, near the inner wall, the stone ceiling in two 

 divisions of the roof is singularly carved, and, strange to say, is of 

 the kind described by Fergusson as Jain architecture. One of them 

 is Alhambric in character, while the other is covered with lotus 

 blossoms carved in relief, 



There is not the smallest doubt that these cloisters have been much 

 altered from their original condition, and that principally by the 

 Mahommedans who transformed them into a mosque, in which service 

 they were employed even as late as the mutiny in 1857, and were 

 regarded with peculiar sanctity by this people. On closely examining 

 the columns, architraves and cielings, it is plain that not only has 

 there been a good deal of shifting of places, but new pillars carved 

 in recent times have been added to the old, and some of the old have 

 been cut up for repairs, and their separated portions have been 

 scattered amongst several pillars and joined on to them. The inner 

 massive stone wall running along the entire length of the building, 

 is evidently unconnected with the original structure, as also is the 

 present stone floor which is a foot and upwards higher than the old. 



