462 Notes on Ancient Temples and other remains [June* 



The rows or layers of masonry (sandstone) alternate from 5 to 7 and 9 

 from the bottom of the wall outside, a difference which may be account- 

 ed for either from the natural steepness of the ground in some parts, 

 requiring less wall ; or from the earth having accumulated against the 

 wall from natural causes, during a long period of time. Close to where 

 the wall abuts against the table -land, there is a turn at right angles 

 given evidently to form a flank defence. No writing or rude marks 

 on the stones such as I subsequently found at other places, were dis- 

 covered in this hill fortification. 



The Tamaseree Mai, or Copper Temple.— -This temple is designated by 

 Buchanan " the Eastern Kamykya," and its site is stated by him to be 

 on the Dikkori Basini, near the north-eastern boundary of the ancient 

 kingdom of Kamarupa. 



The small romantic little stream, on the right bank of which it is built, 

 is not the Dikharoo river however, although in its course to the Burrum- 

 pooter it receives several accessories from that river. Dol, or Dewul panee, 

 is the name by which the temple stream is known to the Assamese. 



Formerly, and whilst the remains of the Hindoo races on the north 

 (right bank) of the Burrumpooter were still unmolested by the Ahom or 

 Shan dynasty in Assam, the eastern Kamykhya was accessible from 

 Western India, by that stupendous work the raised road or alley, which 

 is known to have extended from the modern Kooch Behar to the Eastern 

 confines of the Assam valley ; — subsequently also, as the Ahoms be- 

 came proselytes to Hindooism, although their zealous policy excluded 

 people from Western India, the natives of the valley had permission to 

 propitiate, and I believe a road went direct through the present Sud- 

 dyah to the Temple, or via Choonpoora or Sonipore of the maps, a 

 place on the north bank of the Burrumpooter, the residence of the 

 Suddyah Kwa Gohain, an officer of the above government, in charge 

 of the eastern districts of Assam. Choonpoora is about 10 miles east 

 of the present station of Koondil Mookh, and the Temple may be about 

 8 miles inland from Choonpoora, in a north-east direction. 



A generation and more has passed away since the votaries of this 

 Temple were numerous enough to keep the roads open, and the only 

 accessible route now-a-days, is by the course of the Dalpanee, up which 

 the anxious pilgrim frequently wanders for days without being able to 

 find the object of his search, for the country is one mass of dense jungle, 



