384 Proposed publication of Plates [May, 



Art. IV. — Proposed publication of Plates of Hindu Architectural 



Remains. 

 To the Secretary of the Asiatic Society. 



Sir, — In the sixth volume of the Journal of the Asiatic Society, page 

 453, in an article from the able pen of our late Secretary, touching the 

 sculpture at Sanchi near Bhilsa, he expresses his opinion that it would 

 be of advantage to publish a series of Hindu Architectural Remains,* 

 and I am aware wished to introduce the subject in the Journal, but 

 the difficulty and expense attending the preparation of plates, requiring 

 even little labor, prevented his doing so. Latterly, at his request, I pre- 

 pared several lithographs representing different pieces of sculpture 

 which I collected during my different tours in Orissa ; having many 

 more in my portfolio which might prove interesting to some of your 

 readers, I propose (should you be of this opinion, and it meet with your 

 approval) to publish occasionally one or two plates, with such explana- 

 tory notes as I may be able to give, j 



In the present number I have given a drawing of an elegant piece 

 of sculpture which I copied at Badeswur, in the valley of the Mahanuddi, 

 and which I have alluded to at page 370. 



This image represents the goddess Durga as Parvatti', wife of Ma- 

 hadeva (Siva), and daughter of the Hymalya mountain in the Par- 

 vatti Avatar. 



The figure, though mutilated, shews that the different emblems nam- 

 ed were originally present. In one of her right hands she holds the 

 Nag-phans, or serpent noose; the other (which is broken off) she 

 holds up in assurance of no evil intention, it is called ^TWT " a-bhai? 

 which means " without fear," or " fear not ;" in one of her left hands was 

 the Unkoos (elephant goad), part of the staff of which still remains on the 

 arch ; in her second she held the Pudma, or lotus, by the stem, part 

 of which is destroyed ; — I speak positively on this head, having seen 

 many images of the same form in which the different parts wanting in 

 this example were present excepting the a-bhai. 



This deity is (like most others) presented as standing on an expand- 

 ed lotus, with the Singha, or lion, and the Vahun, or vehicle of Siva, at 

 her feet. 



* "It would be well worthy of the Asiatic Society to publish from time to time in 

 England a volume of Hindu Architectural Remains from the materials in its possession ; 

 to this reference could always be made, and those who regarded only the works of 

 Art, would find a volume to their taste, kept distinct (like the Physical Volume,) from 

 the graver subjects of the Society's Researches." 



f We most gratefully accept Lieut. Kittoe's proposal.— Eds. 



