178 Description of the Antiquities at Kdlinjar. [March, 



parts of the fort, consisting of 18, 12, 9, and 6 pounders. They are of 

 very heavy metal and seem to be formed of iron bars confined by hoops 

 of the same metal very firmly welded together ; most of them have a 

 roughly carved design. They appear to have been mounted on pivots 

 and swivels so as to embrace a large space in their range. The trun- 

 nions arc placed much as in our guns, and each of the stone barbettes 

 lias a socket in the centre, probably for the reception of the pivot on 

 which the gun worked. 



The gun nearest the gate has the following inscription : 



" Dalmardan Sri Maharaj Bhiraj Sri Maharaj Sri Raj Hiradesa Hi- 

 judeo."(23) The Raja Hiradesa here mentioned, was, I believe, the son 

 of the famous Chatarsal. A path leads past these guns down to the ram- 

 part, the terrepleine of which is lower than the gateway. There is a 

 flight of steps for the purpose of ascending and descending, but it is 

 choked up by jungle ; at a little distance from the gateway there is a 

 fall in the level of the rampart of about 12 feet, and this is the site of 

 the cave called " Sita-sej" or (Sita's bed) which is excavated under the 

 upper, and opens on to the lower portion of the rampart. The plan 

 and sections of this cave are shown in (MS.) Plate 1.(24) It is entirely 

 hewn in the solid rock, the marks of the chisel being apparent through- 

 out ; the side opposite the entrance is occupied by a stone couch 

 and pillow on which Sita, the wife of Ramchandra, is supposed 

 to have slept ; the roof is of very curious formation, being cut into 

 vaulted shelves or cupboards on each side of the centre, vide fig. 3 

 P. P. These shelves occupy about half of the roof, O. R. fig. 2, 

 and the remainder 0< S. is plain. (25) The door, J, has plain pilas- 

 ters on each side, and square holes, f f, above and below, seemingly 

 for posts to bar up the entrance. There are several inscriptions on the 

 stone bed, two of which are shown in facsimile ;(26) they are chiefly of 



(23) There are inscriptions on two other guns which will be shortly mentioned ; they 

 each contain the name of Raja Hiradesa, preceded by several expressions of respect, and 

 the name of the gun. 



(24) Thebrahmans say that after the war in Lanka (Ceylon) consequent in the abduc- 

 tion of Sita by Ravan, she, Sita, came to Kalinjar and made this abode for herself. 

 It is called also Ram Syan. 



(25) These shelves are said to have been made as receptacles for the various articles of 

 clothing and ornaments pertaining to Situ, and there are also two niches in the sides of 

 the cave for holding lamps. 



(26) Nos. 7 and 10. See Appendix. 



