398 VELLORE. 
but the patient labour of a Hindoo could have finished so minute a 
work. Each pillar is of a single stone ; those in front are composed 
partly of figures on horseback, carved with considerable spirit ; the 
others are on every side divided into square compartments, many 
containing the different adventures of Crishna with theGopi*s ; and 
the very remarkable mythological tradition of his treading on the 
serpent's head : on others are the many fantastic figures to which 
the Hindoo religion has given birth. Major Marriot very kindly 
presented me with drawings of several of the pillars, which it was 
difficult at that time to examine, from the quantity of stones that 
were piled within. He also inquired for me from the descendants 
of the builders, what tradition they have concerning the founder i* 
but all I could learn was, that it was built by a Naig of the place, 
about four hundred years ago. The musnud was placed in the 
back part of the building ; it was about twelve feet square, and 
rested on the back of a prodigious tortoise. 
Opposite to this apartment, which was probably the durbar of 
the Prince, is another, similar in size, but of a different architec- 
ture, and more plain. Facing the great gateway are several small 
pagodas of the Tanjore architecture, surrounded by a wall. These 
seem much more ancient than the others. As I returned, I observed 
several figures of Rama and his monkey generals on the inside of 
the gateway. A figure also was pointed out to me, which was said 
to be that of the founder. Nothing could be more natural than that 
he should wish to immortalize himself as the framer of so beautiful 
a building. The delicacy of the workmanship certainly surpasses 
any thing I have seen. 
The fort of Vellore has been chosen for the prison of Tippoo's 
