Beport of the ArchBological Survey. 



each. The Baroli temple has 24 columns ; the great temple at 

 Bindrahan has only 16 5 and the Chaori in the Mokandra Pass has 

 not more than 12. But there are many temples that have even fewer 

 pillars than these, as, for instance, that of Mdta Devi, in Gwalior, 

 which has only 6 pillars, and that of Chatur Bhuja, also in Gwalior, 

 which has not more than 4 pillars. Taking these temples as fair 

 specimens of many various styles and ages, the average number of 

 pillars in a Hindu fane is between 24 and 25 ; or, if the extremes be 

 omitted, the average number is 21. Accepting these numbers as a 

 fair guide, we may set down the 76 pillars of the Great Masjid as the 

 spoils of at least 2, but more probably of 3 temples, each equal in 

 size to the magnificent fane at Ohandravati. Similarly the 450 pillars 

 of the Court of the Masjid will represent the spoils of not less than 

 from 18 to 22 temples, of 20 and 25 columns each. These numbers 

 added together give a total of from 20 to 25 temples, which agrees 

 so nearly with the number recorded in the Muliammadan inscription, 

 as to leave no doubt whatever of the truth of the conqueror's boast, 

 that the Masjid was built of the spoils of 27 temples. 



78. A curious confirmation of the average size of these temples 

 has been afforded by a discovery which I first made in 1853, and 

 which I completed during the present year. In the south-east corner 

 of the cloisters of the Great Mosque, the pillars, with bases and 

 capitals complete, are nearly all of one style and size, and quite 

 different from the other columns. Now, the bases, shafts, and capitals 

 of these pillars are numbered, the highest number discovered being 

 19. I found 15 numbered shafts, of which No. 13 is in the north 

 cloister, far away from its fellows. I found also 13 numbered bases, 

 and 7 numbered capitals ; but only in one instance, that of No. 10, 

 do the numbers of base, shaft, and capital, as they now stand, agree. 

 Here, then, we have a direct and convincing proof that these particular 

 pillars have all been re-arranged. The total number of shafts dis- 

 covered was only 15, but they were all numbered. Of the bases, 

 I discovered 19, of which 4 were square, and 15 had the angles 

 recessed, like all the shafts. Of the capitals, all of one uniform 

 pattern, I found 20, of which one was inscribed with the number 19. 

 From all these facts I conclude, with a probability amounting almost 

 to certainty, that the temple from which these pillars were obtained 

 consisted of 20 columns only. On No. 12 shaft there is the word 



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