1865.] Description of the Buddhist Ruins at Bahariya Kund. 5 



various elegant devices. As the building is divided into two distinct 

 sections, and moreover as the spaces between the pillars are in several 

 instances filled up with a mud wall, it is impossible to gain a correct 

 idea of its original grandeur. The outer wall on the western side is 

 strengthened by a huge buttress of stone, 14 feet wide and 15 feet 

 high. 



With pillars, breastwork, and buttress, of such prodigious strength, 

 it seems not improbable that formerly there were several stories above 

 this lower one, but this point is merely conjectural and is not easy to 

 be decided. Moreover it is not unlikely that other structures once 

 existed along the border of the terrace throughout a considerable 

 portion of its extent, not only on its western side, but also on its 

 northern and eastern sides. 



Directly in front of the ancient building just described, are two 

 other extensive elevations of the ground or terraces, one over the 

 other, as already stated. The lower elevation is 86 feet long by 62J 

 broad, and about 4 feet in heighth. The upper is 48J feet by 24, 

 and is crowned with an ornamental cornice, which runs in an unbroken 

 band throughout a large portion of the circuit of the terrace, but 

 this may possibly be of comparatively modern elate, the Mohammedans 

 having selected this spot for a mausoleum, and in many cases adopted 

 the prevailing forms of ancient ornamentation. The breastworks of 

 the two terraces by which the enclosed soil is sustained, although they 

 have been evidently at times extensively repaired, nevertheless appear 

 as ancient as the neighbouring building. 



Beyond the two upper terraces is another raised terrace, which in 

 all likelihood was originally connected with one of them, but is now 

 isolated from them. On this possibly stood a Buddhist shrine, con- 

 nected by a cloister with a building on the main terrace. A short 

 distance further on also, are remains of the foundations of probably 

 another, but the traces of this are almost obliterated. 



On the eastern side of the Kund is a mound 220 feet long by 90 

 broad, running parallel with it, which might be taken for a mud 

 embankment thrown up from the tank, were it not for the circumstance 

 that layers of large Buddhist bricks, lying in situ, crop out from its side, 

 and that upon its summit and slopes are numerous blocks of sculptured 

 stones, symbols of bygone glory. One brick measured 20 inches in 



