1837.] Proceedings of the Asiatic Society. 799 



The special Committee appointed to select one of the designs for the 

 pedestal of the Allahabad column submitted the following 



Report. 



In compliance with the desire of the Society's Meeting of the 6th instant, as 

 conveyed in your letter to our address of the 8th, we have carefully perused 

 and considered the several papers and designs therewith received, and beg leave 

 to report the result, as follows. 



2. All these six designs prepared by Captain Edward Smith of engiueers, 

 are so elegant and in such good taste, that it is difficult to determine between 

 them, which may be the most strikingly haudsome, and at the same time the most 

 appropriate. 



3. Of the more raised and expensive designs Nos. 1, 2 and 6, we would give 

 the preference to the latter, its base being more in character with the pillar, which 

 it is intended to support, than the others, but modified by either a reduced pro- 

 jection, or total omission, of the large upper band, or substituting inverted trian- 

 gular compartments similar to those at the foot of the pedestal. We would also 

 prefer a direct instead of a curved slope to the lower step, as being more 

 convenient*. 



4. Of the less raised designs Nos. 3, 4 and 5, we give a decided preference to 

 No. 3, (see accompanying sketch) as being very light and elegant while it preserves 

 the pure Hindu character in its form and details ; moreover in order to relieve 

 it from some of those disadvantages, which form Captain Smith 's principal 

 objections to these latter designs, should No. 3 be ultimately determined on, we 

 would suggest the adoption of the sloping platform as sketched in pencil at the 

 Military Board by Major Irvine or Captain Sanders, which we consider to be 

 a very great improvement, the base becoming thereby more on a level with the 

 eye of the beholder. 



5. The additional elevation thus given, would amount to two feet, making 

 the upper part of the base from which the pillar will spring, exactly 6 feet from 

 the surface. 



6. We observe in the section submitted by Captain Smith in illustration of 

 his intended mode of fixing the root of the pillar in the stone basement, that he 

 proposes cutting a square hole in the centre and under part of the shaft, about 

 one-third of its diameter, so as to let it down on a square upright stone of the 

 same measurement. This we are apprehensive might not be considered suffici- 

 ently stable, and we would suggest in preference that an octagon stone of 6§ 

 feet diameter and 2 feet thick be procured from Chunar, and that an opening be 

 cut in its centre, to receive the lower part of the pillar in its entire size, to the 

 depth of one foot. This stone well bedded in good brick masoury, with the aid of 

 the upper stone work judiciously dove-tailed together, would in our opinion give 

 it the utmost stability that could be required. Nevertheless we may safely confide 

 these arrangements to Captain Smith's well known skill and judgment, should 

 circumstances admit of his undertaking the erection of the pillar, but in case it 

 should fall into other bands the hint may be useful. 



7. On the subject of Captain Smith's proposed new capital and surmounting 

 stone ornament, although we consider the design a very beautiful one, we are 

 unanimously of opinion that it is very desirable to effect the restoration of the 

 original capital and lion, if practicable ; if not, we think that the design now 

 submitted may be considered a very appropriate and elegant finish to the pillar. 



We have the honor to be, &c. 

 D. McLeod, 

 Fort William, \ W. N. Forbes, 



September 3Qth, 1837. J W. P. Grant, 



A. Cunningham. 

 Proposed by the Secretary, seconded by Dr. Swiney, and Revolved, that 

 the report be adopted with thanks, and that a copy be communicated to 

 the Military Board. 



The Committee of Papers reported favorably on Nawab Tuhawer 

 Jang's proposal to print the Sharaya ul Islam. 



* See the accompanying sketch. We confess our preference for the original design 

 her as it stands or omitting the upper member.— Ld. 



5 i 2 



