74 The Somnath Gates. [No. 134. 



inferior material and workmanship have been employed to repair the 

 fabric. But the upper portions of the gates still retain much of the 

 original carving, which is in high relief, of beautiful execution, and in 

 a wonderful state of preservation. 



The gates appear to have been formerly decorated with plates of 

 some precious metal, fixed to the wood work round the carved com- 

 partments by small slips of iron. Many of these slips still remain in 

 regular patterns, over the top of the gates, lower down they have 

 altogether disappeared. 



The frames of the gates are in double folds hinged in the centre, 

 their height is eleven feet, and their aggregate width nine and a half 

 feet. 



The gates are surrounded by a framing composed of small pieces of 

 carved wood, united by numerous joints in regular pattern. This 

 portion of the work, though of great age, seems of more modern and 

 slighter manufacture than the gates themselves. The exterior dimen- 

 sions of their framing, (now in four separate portions,) are sixteen and 

 a half feet in height, thirteen and a half in width. The framing is in 

 very fair preservation, excepting near the ground, where seats seem to 

 have existed on either side the gateway, and the portions of the fram- 

 ing in this position, to the height of a man's shoulders, have been fairly 

 rubbed away. The construction of their framing, and the numerous 

 joints of the work render it peculiarly liable to damage from travelling 

 over rough roads, or from frequent removal. 



We are of opinion, that it will not be difficult to restore all essential 

 portions of the gates that are now wanting, and to fix them in ser- 

 viceable condition in any building destined to their reception; but some 

 judgment would be required to make any repair or restoration harmo- 

 nize with the air of extreme antiquity possessed by the original portions 

 of the gates. 



In consonance with the Major General's request, we have the honor 

 to forward herewith sketches of the gates, with the dimensions accu- 

 rately entered on the face of the drawing. 



The Major General having desired the Committee to state their 

 opinion as to the expediency of conveying the gates in a frame adapt- 

 ed to elephant carriage, we beg to state our apprehension, that such 

 a mode of conveyance might be productive of serious injury to them. 



