1853.] Maunkyala. 573 



the comparatively large number of wrought stones, denotes some 

 costly structure which might have occupied the entire site. I rather 

 incline to think these, the ruins of the monastery of Maiukialan 

 described by Hiang Tsang as existing in the 6th century. 



It is probable that every considerable tope was the shrine of a 

 neighbouring monastery, where were deposited the relics of each 

 saint of the order, as he died. The original villages of this estate 

 may be those which still exist there : and Maunkyala itself as a 

 village may be altogether posterior to the ruin of the monastery from 

 the debris of which it is erected. 



The arguments upon which some writers have attempted to prove 

 the modern village of Tukhtpurri to be the ancient Taxila refute 

 themselves. It is asserted that Tukhtpurri is Taxila, because at 

 the distance of six miles, viz. at Maunkyala are the ruins of a large 

 city. Were this the case, Maunkyala might be Taxila. But in the 

 name Maunkyala, we have no resemblance to that of Taxila ; and at 

 Tukhtpurri, which has some resemblance to the name sought, we 

 have no ruins at all. The two places have no connection whatever, 

 the one with the other. Tukhtpurri has no Boodhistic remains, but 

 is built on the site of a modern Grukkur village, a mile off the high 

 road. 



"Whatever the origin of the veneration felt by Boodhists for the 

 site of Maunkyala, we find it taken up and adopted by the Grukkur 

 princes of the Dhangulli branch, who have established their cemetery 

 about four miles to westward of the tope, in a spot remarkable for a 

 rock of the sandstone formation, which there crops out of the soil 

 in the figure of a natural wall. 



J. Abbott. 

 P. S. — At Maunkyala very few Bactro or Scytho Greek coins are 

 found ; but from the little town of Mulpoor, distant three or four 

 miles, some were brought me, which appear to have been received 

 by Kuttries from the peasantry who find them in old village sites. 

 Of these I observed the following : — 

 The dregs of the copper coinage of the Kanerkean Dy- 

 nasty, many 



Soter Megas, a few 



Ayas, a few 



