1850.] 



Sircar of Pytun. 



379 



the Idol having been roughly hewn out, similar to several in- 

 stances noticed in the southern caves at Elloora. The other north- 

 ern excavation is of small dimensions. The pillars of the vesti- 

 bule show the same ruined state as the two others, the capitals alone 

 adhering to the roof, by which the inference may be drawn that fa- 

 natic violence has occasioned their destructions in all three instan- 

 ces. In niches of the verandah are figures of Buddha: in one in- 

 stance seated cross-legged with the hands in the lap — in the other 

 having the legs depending with the thumb and little finger joined to- 

 gether: in the hall, female figures similar to those remarked in the 

 last cave are seen ; the floor is greatly encumbered with fallen 

 ruins. 



The sanctuary contains a seated figure of Buddha in a meditative 

 position. 



The side cave opening to the east is choked up with mud and 

 rubbish, leaving nothing visible but the capitals of the pillars. 



Third Group. — About a mile to the eastward in the curve of the 

 same range, two or three Caves have been commenced, not one of 

 which was ever finished. The site has more claims to the pictu- 

 resque than those we have just noticed, commanding a pleasing pros- 

 pect towards the adjoining hills. 



No. 9. — Is the commencement of a cave the front of which is near- 

 ly buried, and measures 18 feet in length, and 9 feet in breadth. 



No. 10. — A Cave with outer verandah and hall 28 feet in length, 

 broken off abruptly after excavating to 13 feet. 



No. 11. — This is a Cave of large dimensions consisting of outer 

 verandah, hall, vestibule, sanctuary, and side crypts; the breadth 

 of the hall is 46 feet with lateral cells extending to seven feet on ei- 

 ther side, the depth of the rock from the outer verandah to the fur- 

 ther wall of the sanctum is 80 feet : all is left in the rough, as if ab- 

 ruptly broken off, and nothing approaching to a finished state but 

 the front of the verandah ; though I have termed the excavations on 

 either side of the hall, lateral cells, from the resemblance they now 

 bear to such a use, I am inclined to suppose these side cuttings to 

 have been nothing more than the preliminary steps for forming the 

 side pillars and aisles, which were intended to have surrounded the 

 central hall. 



W. H. Bradley, Surgeon, 



On Special Duty. 



