478 SURVEY OF THE GANGES, 



are written. We had with us two or three men, who could read JSTdgri.^ 

 Persian &nd Sanscrit^ but they were unable to decipher a single letter. 

 The lower part of the inscription bears some resemblance to the Chines;e 

 characteFj and the natives here have a tradition, that, many centuries 

 ago, this part of the country was inhabited by, or tributary to, the 

 Chinese or Tartars ; and imagine it possible this trident may have been 

 constro6led by people of oiae of those nations. We were very unwilling 

 to yield to this supposition, as we must have given it credit for greater 

 antiquity than its appearance or probability would justify. The design far 

 surpasses any of the kind we have yet met with, and the execution is 

 above mediocrity. The circumference of the pedestal is not above three 

 feet, forming a base so disproportioned to the height, that it was a matter 

 of surprise the machine could maintain its perpendicular position. It seem- 

 ed as though the slightest touch would have thrown it down ; but the 

 Brahmen, who was in attendance, assured us it would defy all our efforts; 

 and it was not until we had made two or three unsuccessful attempts to 

 overset it, that we discovered the cheat, it being fixed in the grpund by 

 an inner shaft of iron, incased in that of the pillar. The only reason they 

 assign for holding it in reverence, is from its being the emblem of one of 

 their deities. It had formerly a temple eredied over it, but in the earth- 

 quake of i8os, the mansion was thrown down, and, wonderful to 

 relate, the pillar escaped without injury^ But s large patched fra6lure 

 In its side, a httle staggered our faith as to its miraculous preservation. 

 The former Raja of Napdi, sent some learned Pandits for the express 

 purpose of deciphering the inscription, but their attempts were equally 

 unsuccessful with those made before or since. Captain Hearsay took 

 an Inverted copy of the incription ; by smearing the shaft with ink, and 



