406 Notes on the Caves of Burabur. [May, 



there are traces of numerous foundations apparent in every direction ; 

 to the north is the peak called Sidheswar and Burabur, immediately 

 under which, and of a second not so high, are the remains of a fine 

 gateway and a massive wall connecting the two, and the immense blocks 

 which appear to have served as bastions : this passage leads down into 

 another and extensive level, surrounded with hills, which likewise appear 

 formerly to have been connected by walls and embankments, to have 

 had large reservoirs and been covered with habitations ; indeed, this is 

 not confined to the two spots now described, but has been continued 

 further eastward, connecting the Nag-arjuni hillocks until the river 

 Phulgo or Mahanudda was reached ; one low hill has been evidently 

 used as a grand bastion, it is called absurdly Sher Shah's Bungalow ; 

 a causeway leads to it ; it may have been appropriated by the early 

 Muhammadans, but it is undoubtedly part of these most ancient Indian 

 works, the name even of which is lost to us, unless the place be that 

 mentioned in the inscription of the Nag-arjuni cave, to the description 

 of the locality of which it answers. 



I must now return to the great caves. The first of these is the 

 " Kurun Chowpar,"and faces the north ; it is entered through a narrow 

 Egyptian doorway, as already described, the room is placed east and 

 west, and has a segmental roof, as have all except the Viswa Mitra ; 

 the ends are at right angles and plain, on the western there is an altar 

 or throne as shown in the plate ; * the whole surface except the floor 

 is wonderfully polished ; the echo is very beautiful in all these caves. 

 The dimensions of the room are 33'-6"X14', and 10'-9"tothe crown of 

 the arch, the side wall or faces being G'-2" to the springing line. The 

 labour of cutting and excavating such a chamber in the hardest of rocks 

 must have been great indeed, but that of polishing such a surface almost 

 incredible ; we are struck with amazement and rivetted to the spot : from 

 the quantity of chips of haematite strewed about, I am inclined to think 

 this mineral was used in polishing. My servants having delayed on the 

 road and arriving late, I was obliged to pass the night in this chamber 

 with a bundle of rice straw for my bedding and covering, and although 

 the wind was very high and cold, the temperature within was not so 

 unbearable as to prevent my enjoying a good night's rest ; the bears 

 having been graciously pleased to forego their visits, as I kept a candle 



* This throne appears to be the " Sri Asanam" mentioned in the Pali Annals.— M. K. 



