1848.] in the vicinity of Suddyah, Upper Assam. 461 



disappeared in the heaps of bricks lying about. The wall and rampart 

 however still continued to the north-west, but having so little local 

 information about the place, and being limited in our researches to that 

 day only, it was considered advisable to return. We therefore confined 

 our further observations to that portion of the works we had passed. 



Conjectures as to the nature and extent of the works. — The table- 

 land to the east being naturally strong from the steepness and difficulty 

 of ascent, required no artificial defences, and from the circumstance of 

 the rampart and wall abutting upon the southermost point of the table- 

 land, it appeared to me evident that those works, to their utmost ex- 

 tent westward, probably to the Dibong, about 4 miles distant, were 

 merely intended to enclose the table-land at the foot of the hills, and 

 thus form a place of refuge in time of invasion. The quantity of 

 fruit trees, such as Shaum (Artocarpus chaplasha,) Jack and Mangoe, 

 would also lead us to suppose that the place had been peopled, or at 

 least that it had been occasionally occupied as a summer residence. No 

 buildings however are said to be on this hill fortification, but the 

 Mishmees, who describe it as of great extent, speak also of a gateway 

 by a hill stream, where there are large earthernware vessels similar to 

 the Naud, used for holding water, besides other smaller vessels of vari- 

 ous shapes ; and the truth of the latter is confirmed by the numerous 

 debris of earthern vessels found in the bed of the Dikrung river, of a 

 description totally different from the manufactures of the present day in 

 Assam, being more (as regards quality of material and shape) of that of 

 the earthernware of Gangetic India. 



Description and quality of works. — Although bearing the appearance 

 of great age, for in many places the wall has bulged and fallen down, it 

 has evidently been well and substantially built ; the sandstone blocks, 

 varying from 10 to 8 inches thick, 1 foot broad and 20 inches long, are 

 rudely, but evenly chisselled with the point, and they are closely and 

 regularly laid. The bricks are first rate, varying in size from 8 to 5, 

 and 6 to 4 inches, and from 1£ to 2\ inches thick, and the parapet wall 

 formed of these, about 4 or \\ feet in thickness. The sandstone facing 

 of the rampart may be somewhat less, but the whole masonry work is 

 laid without cement or fastening of any kind ; immediately over the 

 sandstone, are two rows of bricks, and over these two others projecting, 

 so as to form a rude cornice, which gives an appearance of neatness. 



3 r 2 



