1852.] Note on some Sculptures found in Peshawar. 609 



figure and the prisoners. The other four are too mutilated to be 

 clearly made out. 



What meaning this group may be intended to convey, it is not easy 

 to assert with any degree of certainty ; it may represent the execution 

 of some criminal, or, what seems to me a more probable interpretation, 

 the chief figure may be intended for Sakya Siiiha, interposing his 

 authority to deliver a captive or criminal from the hands already lifted 

 up to slay him, and this supposition seems the more likely from the 

 evident curiosity and astonishment with which the sentence is heard.* 



Fig. 7 (Plate XXXII.) — Represents a party of three females in atti- 

 tudes expressive of grief or fear and supplication ; one is standing at 

 what is apparently a draped altar before a pilaster, which with another 

 close by are similar to those before described, but very " squat," and 

 diminishing in size towards the top beneath the base of the capital. 



Of this sculpture I cannot attempt any explanation ; it is evidently 

 of the some class as the above, and both were probably members of a 

 series of similar basso relievos. I understand a third has found its 

 way into the possession of Capt. Burnett, Horse Artillery, but I am 

 not aware of its subject. 



Fig. 8 (Plate XXXIII.) — Is a very curious and interesting sculpture, 

 as bearing on the nature of the building ; it is unfortunately almost 

 defaced, but is unquestionably a cross-legged figure of Budh with two 

 worshippers on each side, having their hands clasped in supplication. 



Fig. 9 (Plate XXXIV.) — Is a portion of a very curious and elegant 

 cornice ; it is chiefly supported by the coils of a huge serpent (?) 

 between which, a boy is sporting ; below and above are brackets com- 

 posed of a species of trefoil ; altogether it has a very graceful effect, 

 and might be imitated with good effect in modern Architecture. 



Fig. 10 (Plate XXXV.) — Is a small seated figure wearing a short 

 tunic and boots. Capt. Hogge possesses a better specimen on a large 

 scale which I have seen and which has been exhibited at a meeting of 

 the Asiatic Society : this also came from Jamal Giri. It is evi- 

 dently imitated from a European model, and I should guess as an 



* The presence of females, as was pointed out to me by Major Edwards, favours 

 the idea that the pttsoiier is a criminal offender, not a captive in war, and perhaps 

 the women's presence may point to the nature of his offence. This however can 

 be a mere conjecture. In Laidlay's notes to Fahian, p. 66, Sakya Muni is described 

 as preaching to a congregation of whom 500 were female mendicants. 



