IN NORTH ATtCOT DISTRICT. 



37 



The rock- cut caves are four in number, each facing 

 towards the east, and excavated in the face of the hills which 

 support the bund of the tank upon its southern side. The 

 two first reached from Conjeveram are within a few yards of 

 one another and similar in size. The face of the rock having 

 been cut perpendicularly, a narrow ledge has been formed, 

 behind which the chambers stand, each having two pillars 

 supporting the roof, and cut at the top into the form of corbels 

 with a second and corresponding couple within. The dimen- 

 sions of the chambers are 20 feet broad, by 10 feet deep, and 

 7 feet high, each pillar being 2 feet square. 



The pillars of the first chamber are ornamented with lotus 

 flowers cut in low relief, and in the middle of the rock behind 

 them is a small doorway, 2 feet broad, leading into a cell 

 about a yard square and 5 feet high, at the back of which 

 stands a low ledge with a hollow in the centre, probably for 

 the reception of an image. In the left hand side are the 

 remains of an inscription in strange letters which are unknown 

 to the learned of the neighbourhood, but which appear to be 

 ancient Canarese (?). The face of the rock has either flaked 

 or been broken off, so that the major portion of the inscription 

 has been obliterated. 



The other chamber has pillars without ornament of any sort, 

 but it leads to three posterior cells similar to that already 

 described. The space between the doorways has been 

 divided into six panels, each containing a human figure 4 feet 

 high, very roughly cut in relief. The two on the left clearly 

 represent males, since they are bearded ; those in the middle 

 seem intended for females, judging from the face, and head- 

 dress arranged in large rolls on either side with a great pile 

 above the crown. The remaining sculptures are clearly 

 female, but all six are very roughly executed, neither fingers 

 nor toes being delineated. Upon the side walls are inscriptions 



