1867.] 



On ike Antiquities of Mainpi 



159 



The large squared blocks of kankar forming the original founda- 

 tion are, many of them, still in situ — and the building will appear 

 to have been of some size and of the usual crucial 

 form. The length of the cross is not easily ascer- 

 tained. A single cornice block will, however, give 

 some clue to the size of the structure as it measured 

 34" deep by 20" wide. 



Several heads of Buddh, carved in the conventional style, were lying 

 about ; whilst two niche ornaments revealed him sitting in contem- 

 plation, and several lintel stones two feet ten inches in length, shewed 

 that the sanctuary had been richly carved. There were remains of 

 sundry cruciform capitals, and of single and double bases for pillars as 

 well as of the pillars themselves, but the most curious piece of carving 

 to be seen there was a long slab of kankar, a basement moulding 

 which I have figured below. It will be observed that it consists 





entirely of elephants seen fronting one. It measured eight feet one 

 inch, and in this space there were five elephants. Another portion 

 of the same basement moulding was found in the village, as also 

 that of a frieze of demon faces which may possibly have formed 

 part of another building. 



Amongst the ornamental carvings were several settings of " viraj" 



