382 On the Topes of Darounta, and Caves of Bahrabad. [No. 113. 



cult to give a rational conjecture, but it is at least worthy of remark, 

 that more of the coins formed in them, are of later date than the Bac- 

 trian kings. 



Opposite to the village of Darounta, and overhanging the left bank of 

 the Jullalabad river, are the caves of Bahrabad ;— these have been ex- 

 cavated on the plan of a town, but on a smaller scale, there is a charson 

 or meeting of four roads ; that running to the north is the longest, and 

 from it, five chambers open, these receive light from apertures imme- 

 diately overhanging the river, which runs about 100 feet below them ; 

 the passage running to the south leads to a Dalian or Hall, which also 

 opens over the river, the passage to the west leads to the river, while 

 that to the east is the general instance to the whole plan. The chambers 

 are all lofty, airy, and well lighted, but the passages are very low and 

 narrow. The cave mentioned by Honigberger as the Fil-khana, is a little 

 to the east, and separated from the principal set of caves. The only 

 ant iquity discovered in them, was a small slab of rough reddish marble, 

 about 5 inches square ; on this slab was executed in demi-relievo, a pair 

 of human feet, the toes, &c. being all distinctly marked ; round the feet, 

 are four Lotuses, one at e;ich angle of the slab executed in bas-relievo. 

 It is said that similar slabs have been found in Ceylon, if so, a presump- 

 tion may be drawn, that if the caves of Bahrabad do not owe their origin 

 to the Buddhists, they were at least at one time inhabited by them. 



R. P, 



Note.— /The objects given in the annexed plate were presented to the 

 Asiatic Society, with the above memoir by the late Lt. Pigou of the 

 Engineers, through our late V. P. Col. Macleod, in his letter to whom 

 Lt. Pigou writes as follows of the gold box (unfortunately lost,) which 

 was the most valuable in all respects of the remains discovered at 

 Darounta. 



1 1 have the pleasure herewith to forward two boxes, and some coins 

 taken from the Jullalabad topes ; the three boxes, I had previously pro- 

 mised to Dr. Athinem to whom it is now made over, it was similar in shape 

 to the box No. 1, but not quite so large. I regret that the small gold box, 

 with its contents, has been stolen, as it was the greatest curiosity of all, 

 but the precious metal excited the cupidity of my servants, who have 

 made away with it. The marble slab is too heavy to send down by dak, 

 and I have not got it with me ; indeed I am not sure that it has not been 

 lost, but it is possible that it may have been left in my hut at Jullalabad. 

 I also send you a rough sketch of the Bahrabad caves, which will give 



