416 Notes on the Caves of Burabur. [May, 



same as occurring at Barahut, in Ghuvwal (see plate IX.) page 342, Vol. 

 V. of the Journal. No. 1 1 however differs considerably, and is written 

 vertically like Chinese ; it is placed horizontally in Prinsep's plate. It 

 has always occurred to me that these are Trans-Himalayan characters 

 written by pilgrims at a very early period. No. 12 was not sent to 

 Prinsep ; it is rudely cut and scattered. No. 14 is a single letter or 

 word on one of the pillasters of the Satgurba arch. 



I shall not trouble my readers with repeating the whole of the smaller 

 sentences, which had no doubt from time to time been cut by the 

 ascetics who occupied the caves when the Budhists were expelled ; there 

 are two only deserving of notice. These I have given as 15 and 16 in 

 plate IX. The first shows that at a remote period the presiding deity of 

 the spot was " Sidheswar" Mahadeva, which it is still. 



The second or fig. 1 6, are deserving of notice ; they are of a very 

 early types, and admit of another reading besides that given by Prinsep ; 

 see No. 16 in P. 679, Vol. VI. viz. it may be an abbreviation of 

 " Bodista Likhita" or the writing of Budhists, for the double letter 

 more resembles the compound ^r than ^ and may have been writ- 

 ten by the fanatic who injured the Pali inscriptions, but if this reading 

 be not admitted, I should prefer another, namely, " the root of Budh- 

 ism," which (supposing this locality to have been the site of Sakya's 

 preaching and of the great convocations of Magda, of which I think 

 there is little doubt) would be most appropriate. 



I offer the foregoing more with a view of throwing out hints for those 

 whose deep and extensive reading must enable them to speak with 

 greater confidence. I could wish I were able to boast of more myself ; 

 in the absence of such desideratum I endeavor to collect and make 

 known every trifle that may tend to the elucidation of doubtful points 

 in the early history of this vast empire, my more gifted readers must 

 take the will for the deed and excuse any blunders. 



