1837.] Facsimiles of Ancient Inscriptions. 667 



much astonished to find that he was healed. Being inclined to attri- 

 bute this to the effects of the water in which he had lately bathed, he 

 directed lepers and other diseased persons to wash in the tank and 

 they also were healed. As the native legends generally terminate, he 

 assembled the brahmans and pandits of his own and the neighbouring 

 states, and they declared that this water was holy, and that he ought 

 to erect temples in the neighbourhood. He also built himself a 

 palace in the hill and commenced fortifying its circuit as a protection. 



" Round the tank are still seen numerous habitations for gosains, now 

 deserted ; and the tank has been squared and steps formed leading 

 to the water's edge. I was told with great seriousness that no bottom 

 had been ever discovered to it ! I made great search among the ruins 

 of the palace for some inscriptions but was not rewarded, and my 

 inquiries were equally fruitless. The Nilkant and temple of Mahddeo, 

 are of a subsequent date, and the inscription, I believe, records the 

 cause of its erection. 



" In my rambles through Bundelkhand this winter I passed one or 

 two places formerly of religious note, but found no inscriptions. 

 Ganesha is the favorite deity of the Boondelas." 



Inscription on a copperplate grant from Gumsar. PI. XXXIII. 



For this specimen, interesting from the rude country whence it 

 comes, I am indebted to the active inquiry of Lieutenant M. Kittoe, 

 whose regiment was lately marched to Cuttack, to aid in quelling the 

 unfortunate disturbances in that district. 



Lieutenant Kittoe gives this further information of their discovery. 



"The plates were found at Gumsar amongst other effects belonging 

 to the late rdj and came into the possession of the commissioner (the 

 late Mr. Stevenson, Madras Civ. Ser.) ; who, supposing them to be 

 a document connected with the state, sent them to Pooree, hoping 

 to get them deciphered. None of the Pooree pandits were able to 

 make out the character. They were eventually sent to me when I 

 took the facsimile now forwarded. The Bhanja rajas are branches of 

 the Moharbanji family who again claim descent from the royal house 

 of Chitor. They are of the Suryavansi tribe of Rajputs. Gumsar 

 and Daspalla were formerly held by the Boad raja, but the states were 

 divided 12 or 13 generations back ; since which they have remained 

 separate. There are several traditions regarding the origin of the 

 title of Bhanj* which are too absurd to commit to paper. The grant 



* Bhanja in Sanskrit signifies ' broken.' It may apply to the country which 

 is mountainous and broken up by numerous ravines. The title of the goddess 

 mentioned in the inscription somewhat supports this. 



