1865.] Report of the Archaeological Survey, 15*9 



168. The Katra mound has been successively occupied by Bud- 

 dhists, Brahmans, and Musalmans. The Katra, or market-place, is 

 an oblong enclosure like a Sard, 804 feet in length by 653 feet in 

 breadth. In the midst of this square stands the Jama Masjid, on 

 a large mound from 25 to 30 feet in height. The mosque is 172 feet 

 long and 66 feet broad, with a raised terrace in front of the same 

 length, but with a breadth of 86 feet, the whole being 30 feet in 

 height above the ground. About 5 feet lower, there is another terrace 

 286 feet in length by 268 feet in breadth, on the eastern edge of 

 which stands the mosque. There is no inscription on the building, 

 but the people ascribe it to Aurungzib, Avho is said to have pulled 

 down the great Hindu temple of Kesava Deva, or Keso Ray, that 

 formerly stood on this high mound, a most noble position, which com- 

 mands a fine view of the whole city. Curiously enough, I have been 

 able to verify this charge against Aurungzib by means of some inscrip- 

 tions on the pavement slabs which were recorded by Hindu pilgrims 

 to the shrine of Kesava Ray. In relaying the pavement, the Muham- 

 madan architect was obliged to cut many of the slabs to make them 

 fit into their new places. This is proved by several of the slabs bear- 

 ing incomplete portions of Nagari inscriptions of a late date. One 

 slab has " bat 1713, Phdlgun," the initial Sam of Sambat having been 

 cut off. Another slab has the name of Keso Ray, the rest being 

 wanting ; while a third bears the late date of S. 1720. These dates 

 are equivalent to A. D. 1656 and 1663 ; and as the latter is Jive years 

 subsequent to the accession of Aurungzib, it is certain that the Hindu 

 temple was still standing at the beginning of his reign. 



169. The greater part of the foundations of the Hindu temple of 

 Kesava Ray may still be traced at the back of the Masjid. Indeed 

 the back wall of the mosque itself is actually built upon the plinth 

 of the temple, one of the cyma reversa mouldings being filled up with 

 brick and mortar. I traced the walls for a distance of 163 feet to the 

 westward, but apparently this was not the whole length of the temple, 

 as the mouldings of the Hindu plinth at the back of the Masjid are 

 those of an exterior wall. I think it probable that the temple must 

 have extended at least as far as the front of the mosque, which would 

 give a total length of 250 feet, with an extreme breadth of nearly 72 

 feet, the floor of the building being no less than 25 feet above the 



