18G6.} Buddhist Monasteries and Temples. 85 



of the seventh century, said existed in Benares in his day. In con- 

 clusion, we may remark that we are much inclined to believe that 

 many of the ancient Buddhist monasteries, and of the temples also, 

 were on a line of road leading from Bakarya Kund to Raj Ghaut 

 Fort in one direction ; on a second line, at right angles to this, running 

 from Bakarya Kund to Sarnath ; and on a third, proceeding from the 

 site of Aurungzebe's mosque and joining one or both the others, possi- 

 bly, at Bakarya Kund, and that hereabouts most of other remains of 

 such buildings, if found at all, will be discovered. 



Note by the Rev. M. A. Sherring. 



Since the above was written, I have visited and examined the 

 country lying on the banks of the Granges to the north of the river 

 Buma. To my utter astonishment, though I must confess, not con- 

 trary to my anticipation, I found brick and stone debris scattered 

 over the fields for, as far as I could conjecture, five miles or there- 

 abouts. In many places the rubbish lies thick upon the ground, chok- 

 ing up the soil, and to a large extent the deposit can be traced con- 

 tinuously. Here and there small bits of sculptured stone are visible, 

 and occasionally, where the broken bricks and stones are in very great 

 abundance, they have been collected into ridges or small mounds. 

 This is especially manifest at the termination of the deposit at a spot 

 called Patharaka Siwau, where, in ancient times, doubtless stood a 

 large fort, of which the foundations may even now be partially traced. 

 Although the fields beyond this point seem to be clear of rubbish, yet 

 further on, at Muskabad, at the distance of a mile, it recommences and 

 becomes as thick as in any other place. Perhaps this latter was the 

 site of an outlying town. 



But what are we to say of these remains ? They lie immediately 

 on the great river's bank, and never retreat from it more than three 

 quarters of a mile. It is, I think, very evident that all the way from 

 the mouth of the Burna this bank has been, with the lapse of cen- 

 turies, considerably cut away. Indeed, I believe, that as much as a 

 quarter of a mile may have gone into the river. In all probability 

 therefore the space covered by debris was much broader than it is at 

 present. There can be no question, however, that here a great city 

 once stood. I have no hesitation in expressing my belief that in the 

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