750 Notice on the Antiquities of BhopaL [Aug. 



the subjects treated of in the many compartments, I may make a few 

 observations on matters of some interest which they help to illustrate. 



There are several representations of " Topes," mostly with one terrace, 

 such as that actually existing — but one at least shows two terraces. 

 Each "Tope" is surmounted by a circle of stone pillars, on which 

 again rests a succession of architraves projecting one beyond the other 

 so as to give a greater breadth at top than at bottom, From this 

 highest platform again rises usually one " Chutree" or umbrella, but 

 sometimes three are seen to spring from it. The stone inclosures 

 round the basement, correspond exactly with that still existing — and 

 the terraces with balustrades show that they could be reached, and 

 indeed that they were formed for purposes of circumambulation. The 

 crowning stone inclosure could also probably be reached by some tem- 

 porary means of ascent — for there is no sign of any winding pathway 

 round the building, either in the existing " Topes" or in the represen- 

 tations given in the reliefs. Nevertheless I think the Tope of Mani- 

 kyala in the Punjab has such a spiral ascent. 



With regard to religious ceremonies or opinions, the reliefs give re- 

 presentations of the adoration or consecration of Topes — of the adora- 

 tion of trees and of the devotion paid to the sun. — Men and animals, 

 wild beasts and tame, come separately, or crowded together to offer up 

 prayers at a " Tope" — or to bow to a tree growing out of a square or 

 circular vessel or urn, or to adore the sun, resting the edge of its disc 

 on the capital of a column. There are likewise images of Buddhas 

 seated, male, and in one or more instances female, to whom perhaps 

 some are offering worship. There is moreover a representation of a 

 boat with a raised prow terminating in a lion's head, and a raised stern 

 ending in a fish's tail, which contains an oblong seat or altar with a 

 conopy. Two men stand by the side of the altar, one with a "Chowree" 

 and the other with a " Chatta" or umbrella. If the altar is, simply a 

 seat, it is not at least represented as being occupied. In every direction 

 the hooded snake — or at least the hood alone is to be seen veiling or 

 sheltering or protecting the worshippers of the tree and the sun and 

 the temple. Winged human figures are also to be seen as if hovering 

 round a temple to guard it — and monkey-men, and monsters with 

 human bodies and the heads of beasts, are occasionally seen side by 

 side with ordinary mortals. Lastly, a square based pyramidal " Tope'' 



