1838.] Notes .of a journey to Girndr. 877 



per pice, known in Cutch, where they are very common, as the Gudha 

 kfl pysa ; the fable connected with them is evidently as common in Kat- 

 tywar, as in the former place, and with many other points of tradi- 

 tionary similitude, may I think be admitted in proof of the connection 

 between the Rajput tribes of both provinces. 



All my researches tending to the conviction, that, beyond what I have 

 detailed, Junagarh could boast of no antiquities within its walls, any 

 further description of it as a modern Muhammadan city, would be 

 superfluous. I shall therefore proceed to the summit of Girnar, 

 the distance of which from the city gates, is calculated by the natives 

 at seven kos (about 10 miles)*. The road from the noted rock to the 

 Damudar Kund, and temples before mentioned, is over the causeway, on 

 the edge of the nullah, or mountain torrent, which is crossed by a very 

 neat and substantial bridge. This nullah runs directly west from the 

 foot of the Girnar, to the eastern gate of Junagarh, where it branches 

 off, following the walls of the city in a northerly direction. To within 

 a short distance of the city, its bed is a succession of immense 

 masses of granite, over which I was told, a torrent, fed by smaller 

 streams from the hills, rushes with great impetuosity during the rainy 

 season. There is no other nullah or river at the foot of the Girnar, 

 in this direction. 



A few days previous to my quitting Junagarh, I received, amongst 

 other interesting papers from Mr. Prinsep, one which referred to the 

 inscription on the eastern side of the rock, in which mention is made 

 M of the Paleshini river, with a bridge at the foot of the hill of Girina- 

 gar, thrice destroyed by inundations, and repaired with wood and stone, 

 400 cubits long and 75 wide, &c." To have discovered the slightest 

 remains of this bridge, would have been highly gratifying, and I spared 

 no exertion to that end. That the water- course, or large nullah 

 which I have described, is the Paleshini " river" alluded to, I feel con- 

 vinced, from the fact of its being the only channel for the mountain 

 torrents in this direction. Whilst its " inundations" which thrice 

 destroyed the former bridge, agree with the present violence of these tor- 

 rents. The title of " river" thus given to a large nullah, not more than 

 50 yards in width at its greatest extent, must be considered as an allow- 

 able exaggeration, probably to enhance the magnitude of the work of 

 throwing a bridge across it. Again, the present must always have 

 been the high road, as it is the only accessible one to Girnar on the 



* Two kos from the city gate to the foot of the mountain, and thence five kos 

 to the summit; this latter it will be seen from the measurement given, is an 

 absurd exaggeration. 



