JOURNAL 



OK THE 



ASIATIC SOCIETY 





MAY, 1847. 



An Account of the Temple of Triveni near Hugli, by D. Money, Esq. 

 Bengal Civil Service. 



As in architecture the superstructure depends upon the foundation, 

 so in examination of ruins that time has made and spared, and in the 

 attempt to elicit something of their earlier origin and history, how 

 dependent are our conclusions upon the data that present themselves, 

 and how difficult where these are slight and imperfect to form a satis- 

 factory opinion ! 



The Temple of Triveni is shrouded in mystery, which legendary 

 tale in the absence of historical fact cannot solve. Of its early date 

 we know nothing. It is perhaps the most interesting ruin in Bengal, 

 whether with reference to its present appearance or its past associations. 

 About five miles from Hugli it stands on the most elevated spot in the 

 neighbourhood, commanding a view of the river, which winds at a 

 little distance beneath it. The temple originally must have occupied 

 a large space and consisted of 3 or 4 Courts. On ascending two or 

 three broken steps to the first Court you perceive on your right a part 

 of the original temple, consisting of two rooms, of which there remain 

 only the massy walls that enclose them and the doors by which you 

 enter. You are struck at once with the solidity of the masonry, which 

 but for Mahomedan aggression and Mahomedan sacrilege would have 



No. V. New Series. 3 i 



