80 Description of Ancient Remains of [No. 2, 



leading up to the roof, built of heavy stones ; and along the south side 

 of the enclosure, for the space of about twenty-five feet, is a low 

 stone wall six feet in height, and, attached to it, a peculiar ledge three 

 feet from the ground. It is known that a similar wall exists on the 

 north side also, but hidden from view. 



In our judgment most of the pillars are in situ, and originally 

 formed part of a Buddhist structure, but whether of a temple or of a 

 monastery, it is difficult to say. Our opinions are divided on the 

 subject, and the former has been assigned to the building by way of 

 a heading to this chapter. The wall with the projecting bench is 

 very curious. The latter may have been used by the priests or 

 monks for reclining upon. 



Buddhist Vihak — No. V. 



Aurungzebe's Mosque near Bisheslnoar Temple. 



The niosque built by the emperor Aurungzebe on the foundations 

 of wbat is commonly regarded, though erroneously, as the old or 

 original Bisheshwar temple, is of interest not for its own sake — for 

 notwithstanding its lofty appearance, it is a a structure without any 

 striking beauty in its own right — but for the sake of the ancient 

 buildings with which it is associated, and with the materials of which 

 it has been largely constructed. The courtyard consists of a terrace 

 raised some five feet above the level of the temple quadrangle, in the 

 centre of which it is situated, and occupying a large portion of the area. 

 On walking round the quadrangle and examining the retaining wall 

 of the terrace, one's attention is arrested by peculiar openings or 

 niches in the wall, in which architraves, and capitals, and parts of 

 pillars on which they rest, are visible, but in some places the openings 

 are filled with earth almost up to the level of the capitals. Proceed- 

 ing from west to east, the ground gradually declines, until, after 

 descending four steps and arriving opposite a large stone bull or Nandi, 

 the opening in the terrace becomes clear, and a cloister, such as 

 surrounds a Buddhist vihar, comes into view, and reveals the character 

 of the entire series. It consists of a small chamber sustained by 

 genuine Buddhist pillars, severely simple in their type, and without 

 doubt of great antiquity. Formerly a succession of such cloisters 

 encompassed not less than three sides of the existing terrace, which 



