1848.] Essay on the Avian Order of Architecture. 273 



30. — The outer walls of the quadrangle are ornamented by a succes- 

 sion of trefoil-headed panels, similar in shape and size to the recessed 

 openings of the interior. Vigne,* by some oversight, says, that the 

 " outside is completely a blank and unornamented j" a statement that is 

 refuted by his own sketch of the temple, which represents the exterior 

 walls as decorated exactly in the same manner as I have described them. 



31. — It appears that some other smaller temples must once have 

 existed within the quadrangle : for there are heaps of stones as well as 

 some traces of foundations at the different places, marked W. X. Y. and 

 Z. in Plate XIII. I have a suspicion also, that the whole of the interior 

 of the quadrangle was originally filled with water to a level within one 

 foot of the bases of the columns ; and that access to the temple was 

 gained by a raised pathway of slabs, supported on solid blocks at short 

 intervals, which connected the gateway flight of steps with that leading 

 immediately up to the temple. The same kind of pathway must have 

 stretched also right across the quadrangle, from one side doorway to the 

 other. Similar pathways still exist in the Shalimar gardens, as passages 

 across the different reservoirs and canals. On the outside of the quad- 

 rangle and close to the northern side of the gateway there is a drain, 

 by which, of course, the surplus rain and snow water found its exit ; 

 thus keeping the surface of the water always at the same level. The 

 temples at Pandrethan, Ledari, and in the Barahmula Pass, are still 

 standing in the midst of water. I have, therefore, but little doubt that 

 the interior of the quadrangle of Marttand was once filled with water. 

 A constant supply of fresh water was kept up by a canal or water-course 

 from the river Lambadari or Lidar, which was conducted along the side 

 of the mountain for the service of the neighbouring village of Sin- 

 harotsika : of which the only remains now visible, are fragments of bricks 

 and pottery that lie scattered over the fields for about half a mile. The 

 object of erecting the temples in the midst of water, must have been to 

 place them more immediately under the protection of the Nagas or 

 human-bodied and snake-tailed gods, who were zealously worshipped 

 for ages throughout Kashmir. 



32. — In conclusion I cannot do better than quote the last words of 

 the intelligent Moorcroftf regarding Marttand. " In its present coudi- 



* Kashmir, v. 1— p. 395. 

 t Travels, v. 2- p. 256. 



2 Q 



