184/.] On the Temples and Ruins of Oomga. 659 



reservoir covering many acres of ground, the banks of which as well 

 as those of the Tank, formed part of the town enclosure and defences : 

 on the east side in the centre and opposite the palace, is a fine Ghat or 

 flight of stone steps — there is also an elegant pillar in the centre 

 of the tank, about 20 feet high, a single block of granite, the capital 

 not included. The Tank " Ahur," and city waits (mud), had, till three 

 years back, fine bamboo hedges which are now no more, for strange 

 to say, the whole blossomed and bore seed like rice, after the ripening of 

 which the plantation died, though it is said to have existed for several 

 centuries — it was expected that fresh shoots would spring up, but such 

 has not been the case. 



About five hundred yards further west is another fine Tank, 200ft. 

 square, and it is much to be regretted that these as well as many other 

 fine reservoirs in the district are allowed to fill up without an attempt 

 to clear them, a labour which would be amply repaid in a few years. 

 This remark is more particularly applicable to many of the noble 

 Tanks in the north-west provinces built by the emperors of Dehli, and 

 their ministers. Surely a little encouragement on the part of Government 

 and of the Civil functionaries in districts, wealthy individuals might be 

 induced to bestow a portion of their hoardings on undertakings which 

 would perpetuate their names ; it would cost far less to repair such tanks 

 than to dig and construct others of a fraction of their dimensions, and be 

 of greater service — though I believe that there exists a prejudice against 

 repairing the works of others — the result of false pride, but no doubt 

 were encouragement given a sounder feeling would arise. 



The fort of Oomga has been very injudiciously placed, for although 

 the hills which command it were impracticable for artillery, still wall 

 pieces and small arms would be used against it with deadly effect. 



The hills are, as I have before said, covered with small temples, chief- 

 ly to Mahadeva and Ganesh ; the natural hollows at the top have been 

 converted into reservoirs, beside one of which is an idol called Oomge- 

 swuree, to which goats and buffaloes are sacrificed ; a fair is also held 

 once a year. 



Although we learn from the flowery Sanscrit verses that Bhyrub Indra 

 built temples, dug tanks and wells, &c. I am convinced that the spot 

 has been dedicated to the worship of Mahadeva and his emblem, the 

 Lingam, for centuries previous to the advent of that chief, for some of 



