1864.] Report on the Dependency of Bustar. 45 



The third appears to have been unfinished, as most of the niches 

 intended for idols are vacant, and there is no representation inside* 

 The fallen ruins of three others testify to the damage wrought by 

 the insinuating roots of the Ficus Indie a ; persons digging for 

 concealed treasure have also facilitated their destruction. The 

 first temple is a flat roofed building supported on 32 pillars, under 

 which are two distinct shrines to Mahadeo, the domes over which 

 have fallen down, carrying part of the roof and wall with them. The 

 whole building is composed of massive blocks of gneiss quarried in 

 the neighbouring hills, well dressed and put together apparently with- 

 out the aid of mortar ; around and inside are a few idols, all of steatite ; 

 they are as minutely and elegantly carved as any I have seen, with 

 perhaps the exception of some of the better temples at Vizanuggur 

 on the Toongabuddra near Bellary. In front of this temple I found 

 a slab with an ancient Sanscrit and Teloogoo inscription on both sides ; 

 part of it had been broken off and was nowhere to be found ; after 

 offering a reward and causing search to be made, I had the satisfaction 

 of obtaining it. As the Teloogoo is of an antiquated character, I 

 regret to say I have not succeeded in obtaining an accurate translation 

 of the inscription ; — a fac simile is appended. From what I can ascertain 

 it would appear that the temple of Mahadeo, where the slab was found, 

 was built by a Eajah Someshwur Deo a Nagbunse Kshutrya in the 

 year 1130 of the Vikramaditya era, viz. about 790 years ago. I would 

 be glad to receive information on the subject from any one who is 

 able to decipher the character, and whatever further information I may 

 glean will be communicated. 



A gigantic representation of Grunputty, about 10 feet in height 

 and stout in proportion, is one of the most remarkable objects among 

 these ruins. There is one large tank in good repair at Barsoor, and 

 several old ones, and I was told that within a circuit of about 15 miles 

 the ruins of about 150 tanks could be counted. At Bhyrumgurh in 

 the Kootroo talook there are the ruins of two temples within a walled 

 space similar to that at Barsoor. 



At Duntewara again on the western bank of the Dunkunee, close 

 to the present village, there are the remains of two temples, one sacred 

 to " Bun Bhyroo ;" the remains of a brick wall similar to that of Barsoor 

 can also be traced. I was much struck with the quality of the bricks. 

 I presume they were built shortly after the buildings which they 



— w hh— igap 



