8G6 Notes of a journey to Girndr. [Oct. 



hurried visit to these interesting places. Old Pattern is built upon a 

 projection of the main land, forming the southern point of the small 

 port and bay of Verawul. The road from the latter to the ancient city, 

 lies immediately on the shore of this bay, and for a distance of about a 

 mile from the walls, on the western side, passes through an extensive 

 Muhammadan burying ground: amongst the tombs are some rich and 

 picturesque ruins. The surrounding country, known as the Soi*uth 

 division of Kattywar, subject to the nawab of Junagarh, is exceeding- 

 ly rich, thickly wooded, and in high cultivation. The walls of Pattan, 

 in the form of an irregular square, enclose a space somewhat less than 

 two miles in circumference*, with two gates and numerous square 

 towers. The western front is washed by the sea ; a ditch encompasses 

 the other three sides. These fortifications, which are high and com- 

 posed of uncemented square stones, are of unusual solidity, and the 

 old city, with its massive walls and double gates, must formerly have 

 been a place of considerable strength. The population of Pattan is at 

 present completely Muhammadan, and the place is under the manage- 

 ment of an Arab jemadar, a deputy of H. H. the nawab of Junugurh, 

 To the kindness of Syud Abuoollah, 1 am indebted for a most hospi- 

 table reception, and for every assistance which he could render, or I 

 could require. It is evident that the Muhammadan conquerors of Pattan, 

 in rebuilding the place, and substituting a population of their own creed 

 for that of the Hindus, have at the same time laboured to eradicate 

 all traces of the religion of the latter from this city, but the visitor 

 cannot fail to observe the essentially Hindu character of the whole 

 place. The mosques, which are very numerous, appear to have been 

 erected from the ruins of the Hindu temples, whilst the houses, in the 

 ornaments, sculptures, &c, bear about them evidence of their material 

 having frequently been derived from similar sources. The style of 

 building in the gates and walls, the latter adorned at every corner with 

 sculptures of Hindu divinities, proclaim at once to whom Pattan was 

 originally indebted for the magnificence, still traceable through all the 

 innovations of its conquerors. This city, as connected with the Som- 

 ndth temple, and the invasion of saraustra by Mahmu'd, is one of con- 

 siderable interest ; and, as the former capital of an extensive country, 

 deserves some inquiry into its early history, but of it, or its rulers, the 

 Persian historians-j- do not, that I can learn, give any account. 



Quitting these subjects, however, I must proceed to describe the 

 renowned iSomndth temple, the monument of Mahmu'd's intolerance, 

 and one of the most interesting relics in the Saraustra peninsular. 

 * One mile 6 furlongs, 36 square and 2 round towers ; walls 9 feet thick. 



t MlRAT I AHMAUI, MlRAT l lSKUNDURI. 



