328 INDIAN ARCHAEOLOGICAL SURVEYS. 



The general interest thus shown was gratifying, but the impor- 

 tance of conducting the researches in a more systematic manner, 

 and ou some definite plan became apparent. A suggestive and 

 weighty despatch was addressed by the Duke of Argyll, then 

 Secretary of State, to the Indian Government*, which led to a 

 resolution being passed to form a central establishment to collect the 

 results of former investigations, to train a school of archaeologists, 

 and to direct and systematise local and private efforts. This central 

 establishment appears, however, not to have been carried into effect. 

 The direction of the department charged with the work of surveying 

 was offered to General Cunningham, whose invaluable services were 

 thus again fortunately secured to India. 



The next year (1871) saw General Cunningham with his two 

 assistants, Messrs. J. D. Beglar and A. C. Carlleyle, beginning work 

 by a survey of the two great capitals of the Mogul Empire, Delhi 

 and Agra. In 1872 Mr. Carlleyle was deputed to Rajputana, 

 Mr. Beglar to Bundelkhand, while General Cunningham visited 

 Mathura, Buddha Gaya, Gaur, and other sites. The explorations 

 at Delhi, Agra, and in the Doab are described in Yol. III. of the 

 series of reports, and the same work contains General Cunningham's 

 plan for the execution of the survey. The fourth volume consists of 

 the detailed reports on Delhi by Mr. Beglar, and on Agra by 

 Mr. Carlleyle, while the fifth deals with General Cunningham's tour 

 in the Punjab in 1872-73, during which an extensive collection was 

 made of Buddhist sculptures of the Indo-Scythian period. 



In 1872-73 Mr. Beglar made an examination of the old course 

 of the Son River, which appears to have run parallel to the 

 Ganges for many miles, Pataliputra or Palibothra (Patna), the 

 capital of the Gangetic Provinces, being probably situated in the 

 long narrow strip between the two rivers. Mr. Beglar thinks, 

 however, that the actual site of ancient Pataliputra is now under 

 the waters of the Ganges, which, like the Son, shifted its course 

 some little time before the Muhammadan conquest. It is difficult 

 otherwise to account for the total disappearance of the fort, palaces, 

 towers, and other buildings. The modern city of Patna dates only 

 from the time of Shir Shah, 1541 A.D. A visit was also paid by 



* India, Despatch No. 4 (Public), dated 11th January 1870. See also Government 

 of India Resolution, No. 649-650 of 2nd February 1871, and Proceedings of Sub- 

 committee, Public- Service Commission, Scientific Departments, pp. 27 ff. 



