2 Descrijition of the Buddhist Ruins at Bahariya Kund. [No. 1, 



Buddhists confessedly were, they would not have left their most sacred 

 city, and one of their most ancient, without some irrefragable proofs in 

 column or cornice, of their residence there prior to the Buddhist reform- 

 ation. In the present state of ignorance respecting the archaeological 

 remains in Benares, it would be hazarding too strong a conjecture that 

 no such proofs actually exist ; but this much may be said, that the 

 probability of their existence is exceedingly small. 



As the habits of the Buddhists on this point were, as just observed, so 

 contrary to the practice of the Hindus, we are inclined to believe that a 

 strict investigation instituted in places where Buddhism was once famous 

 and powerful, would in most cases bring to light certain relics which 

 they have left behind them. New discoveries of Buddhist remains are 

 continually being made in various parts of Northern India, every 

 instance of which is a fresh illustration of our conviction that Bud- 

 dhism has preserved the footprints of itself in all places wheresoever it 

 eminently flourished. That it existed in Benares during many 

 centuries and was the dominant faith professed there, casting into the 

 shade the elder creed, and asserting proudly its triumph over it, 

 admits not of the smallest doubt. It is therefore highly interesting 

 to inquire, what Buddhist remains are yet traceable in the city, 

 whereby its historical position as one of the chief seats of Buddhism 

 may be tested. Strange to say, until very recently, few or no remains 

 in the city proper had been discovered, but the reason of this, we fully 

 believe, was, that they had never been sought after. It is true, 

 extensive ruins have been found at Sarnath, and have been frequently 

 described, but these are three miles distant from the present city, 

 although it is possible, and indeed probable, that they were once 

 situated in, or were adjacent to the ancient city itself. 



Now while the hope of finding any buildings of the early Buddhist 

 period in Benares might be pronounced too sanguine, yet, on the 

 other hand, he would betray a singular ignorance of the massiveness 

 and durability of Buddhist architecture, who should venture to assert 

 that it was otherwise than exceedingly likely that portions of buildings 

 of the later Buddhist period were still existing, waiting to be discovered. 

 Even as late as the seventh century, A. D., when Hinduism had regain- 

 ed much of its ancient prestige and influence, at the time that Hwan 

 Thsang visited Benares, there were then in the city, according to the 



