1850.] 



Sircar of Pytan. 



367 



medallions are frequently repeated upon the pillars generally through- 

 out. In several instances statues of females standing or fat males 

 seated, with chancellor's wigs, are placed at the corners of the square 

 pillars, and as these pillars are arranged in pairs, no two of which re- 

 semble each other, great variety of design is seen. The frieze rest- 

 ing on the architrave fronting the entrance, is covered by a series of 

 sculptured figures in demi-relief, divided into thirteen compartments 

 evidently referring to Buddhist subjects : the sculpture is nine inches 

 high, and clearly and cleverly executed. The first compartment re- 

 presents a naked male figure seated on a throne, with a child upon 

 his knee. He wears an ornamented high pointed cap, and jewelled 

 necklace, an aged female seated on the ground in front is holding 

 towards him another child, whilst behind, two naked male figures 

 are sitting, who by the high caps, and wheel ear-rings they wear, ap- 

 pear to be Jogees : one of them holds forth his hand, as though he 

 were exhorting ; behind the principal seated figure are wigged at- 

 tendants, a female chaorwala on his right and a male on his left, 

 both furnished with the least possible quantity of clothing : another 

 attendant carries something like a book, or box. Does this repre- 

 sent Buddha and his two children by Yaso-dhar Devi, to whom he 

 was married at twenty years of age ? The second compartment re- 

 presents a Bear, wearing a jewelled collar, riding on the back of a 

 Tiger. A male and female appear offering presents in front ; mu- 

 sicians in niches above, are playing various instruments, one of whom 

 is using the plectrum, instead of striking with the fingers. The 

 third group represents the same principal figure seated on a throne, 

 with a female in a state of nudity, standing by bis side, two male 

 wigged figures in attendance. The fourth group is a subject not 

 easily reconciled with the mild tenets of Buddhism, that inculcate 

 respect to life ; the empalement of a man is here represented, the 

 executioner is employed binding the victim to the stake, which 

 has been thrust through the body, passing out at the left side of the 

 neck. A dog stands near the stake, and a little beyond, is a female ; 

 a forest is supposed to be represented, by the variety of foliage oc- 

 cupying the back ground. The fifth compartment shows an abese 

 old man, seated, listening to a female on her knees, playing, some in- 

 strument, he wears a large wig : over head appear suspended a range 

 of bells. The sixth compartment contains a naked male, with a fe- 

 male figure, seated on a throne, his left hand holding her's. Various 



