1865.) Ancient Remains at Saidpur and Blutare. 85 
found that. the base was 3 inches off the foundation-stone on the south 
side, (Vide woodcut in the morgin) ; 
that there were two iron wedges 
driven under as indicated ; and that 
WWW at some remote period, stone-work 
(uuu ui) )) of a massive character had been 
placed around to prevent further 
declension. I then cleared the mound away which abutted on the 
column, hoping to find some traces of foundations at least, of the 
| building: to which the monolith may have formed an adjunct. This 
mound rose from 10 to 12 feet, and extended some distance, and, as 
far as I could ascertain by cutting a trench and levelling, consists 
entirely of broken bricks and earth.” 
__ There is no doubt that during the Buddhist period in India, several 
















i temples and one or two monasteries flourished in Bhitari. In a mosque 
in the village, of modern erection, are thirty stone pillars, seven of them 
being elaborately carved. These must. have been taken from buildings 
situated here in ancient times, for they present. similar characteristics 
to the columns of Buddhist shrines and monasteries, of which remains 
are still found in Benares and elsewhere. In asmall uncovered brick 
‘enclosure we discovered several old sculptures, among them a rude 
‘Statue of Buddha in excellent preservation. The entire stone is 
‘+5 feet in height, but the figure measures only 2 feet 4 inches. 
Buddha is seated in contemplation, and is devoid of ornament ; 
nd on the palm of his hand the chakra symbol is engraved. 
He is attended by two chauri-bearers and two kinnaras or cherubs, 
and is seated on asemi-circle, below which are four diminutive figures, 
‘two representing. animals, and two Buddha. The statue has the 
red corona encompassing the head, embellished on the upper part 
Indian-corn and leaves, and must have been a prominent object 
one of the temples formerly standing here. 
| Of the other sculptured stones found at this spot, we will only 
= two. One of them exhibits the figure of a man seated on a 
. prancing ram, which may possibly be intended to illustrate one of the 
signs of the Zodiac. The other is a small octagonal pillar in a niche, 
and on either side of it is an erect human figure. In the middle of 
| the village is a well, by the mouth of which is a collection of old 
