1865.] Report of the Archeological Survey. 237 
Purana as the name of a river distinct from the Gomati; but as the 
name immediately follows that of the Gomati, I think it probable that 
the term may have been intended only as in epithet of the Gomatz, as 
the Dhutapdpa, or “ Sin-cleanser’ in allusion to the legend of Rama’s 
purification. An annual fair is held here on the 10th day on the wax- 
ing moon of Jyesth, at which time it is said that about fifty thousand 
people assemble to bathe in the far-renowned pool of Dhopdpa. 
301. The site of Dhopdp is evidently one of very considerable anti- 
quity, as the whole country for more than half a mile around it is 
covered with broken bricks and pottery. The place is said to have be- 
longed to the Bhar Rajas of Kusabhavanapura or Sulténpur, but the 
only name that I could hear of as specially connected with Dhopdp, 
was that of Raja Hel or Hela. The village of Dhopdép-pur is now a 
very small one, containing less than 200 houses, but they are all built 
of burnt brick, and numerous foundations are visible on all sides near 
the Gomati River. Several carved stones have been collected by the 
people from the ruined walls of the fort of Garhd. Amongst them I 
observed the following :—1s¢, a broken pilaster with two human figures ; 
2nd, a stone bracket ; 3rd, a square capital of pillar ; 4th, a four-bracket 
capital of a pillar; 5¢h, two stones with socket holes for iron cramps. 
All of these stones point unmistakably to the existence, at some 
former period, of a large temple at Dhopip, which was probably situa- 
ted immediately above the bathing ghat. It seems almost certain, 
however, that there must once have been a considerable number of 
temples at this place, for the whole of the eastern wall or river front of 
the fort of Garhd has been built or faced with square stones, which, 
by their carvings and cramp-holes, show that they belonged to Hindu 
temples. 
302. The fort of Garhd is situated to the north of the village, on a 
lofty natural mound overhanging the river Gomati on the east. To 
the north and south the place is defended by two deep ravines supplied 
with running water, and to the west by a deep dry ravine. The posi- 
tion is, therefore, a strong one ; for, although the neighbouring mounds 
to the north and west rise to nearly the same height, yet they once 
formed part of the city, which can only be approached over much low 
and broken ground. The strength of the position would seem to _ 
have early attracted the notice of the Muhammadan Kings of Delhi, 

