47 



ed tliat detailed descriptions of them, accompanied by drawings, be 

 if possible, furnished. 



These antiquities may be generally classed under the following 

 heads, viz. 



1. Sepulchral monuments, mounds and tumuli. 



2. Single stones on which rude figures of warriors are represent- 

 ed, and flat stones, with rude sculptures representing combats, ob- 

 jects of worship, &c. with or without inscriptions. These are in the 

 Deckan denominated Veeracull, or heroic monuments. 



3. Sassanams or inscriptions in various characters cut in stone, 

 these generally commemorate grants of land, &c. 



4. Vases, urns and lamps of clay and metal. 



5. Statues, whether those so remarkable for their size and the 

 uniformity of their sitting and standing attitudes, which belong to 

 the Bouddhaic and Jain worship ; or the more varied personifications 

 of the Brahminical system. 



6. Sculptured excavations, as those of Mahamaleipur, &c. 



With respect to the sepulchral monuments, it is desirable to as- 

 certain whether there are any ancient capitals of sovereigns in their 

 vicinity, to whom they might have served as burying places. Some 

 observations on the nature of the ground, and corresponding local- 

 ities, will be useful in determining whether they were family tombs 

 of dynasties ; tombs of particular tribes or castes ; the common se- 

 pulchres of large communities, or structures erected in commemora- 

 tion of the slain in some remarkable battle. 



In some instances the inner chamber of the sepulchre is compos- 

 ed of four stones, one of which is pierced by a circular opening. 

 Sometimes a second enclosure of stone occurs, of which one of the 

 stones, has a corresponding aperture. 



Do any of the stones appear to have been chiselled ? ' Are the 

 quarries near that supplied them, and do they seem to have been 

 constructed by the labour of numbers hastily collecting rude mate- 

 rials ; or by workmen who had leisure to erect more laboured struc- 

 tures ? 



Are there any circles of stone, great or small, surrounding these 

 tombs or any single stones of superior height and size, that might 

 have been erected as particular marks or trophies ? 



Enquiries are recommended among the intelligent natives relative 

 to their own Ideas of these structures and of the traditions regarding 

 them : the class of Vyvyds, or native Physicians, the Jotishees, or 

 Astronomers, and frequently the head Ryots of villages, are the 

 most intelligent and unbiassed sources of information. 



