436 
ARGOT. 
To the west I observed a singularly shaped pagoda, which I 
was informed was Malabar ; in consequence of which I immediately 
determined to visit it. It is situated about half a mile from Con- 
jeveram. Its appearance, on reaching it, confirmed what I had 
heard of its antiquity, for it was of rude massive sculpture, and 
built in the same style of architecture as one of the temples 
carved out of the rocks at the Seven Pagodas. At the entrance were 
four monstrous lions, and a bull of clay, evidently modern. On 
the right of the entrance were seven circular buildings, covering 
as many lingams of polished granite, about two feet high, some 
circular, and others cut into numerous facings. The pagoda itself 
is pyramidical, and ending in a sort of dome at top. The accom- 
panying drawing will give the best idea of its external appearance. 
Round the lower part of it is a band, about six inches broad, in- 
scribed with unknown characters, similar to those before mentioned. 
The inside consists of two gloomy apartments: in the first were 
two small gilded statues of Rama and Seta dressed up, with only 
their heads visible, as at Ramiseram, and in the second was a lin- 
gam. This pagoda is, at present, entirely deserted." 
" February 17. — -At ten I reached Arcot, and waited on Major 
Macleod, the Collector, who received me with much attention. 
Arcot, which was once large and populous, bears strong marks of 
the devastation of war, the greater part of it being now in ruins. 
It is chiefly inhabited by Mahomedans, who, as Major Macleod told 
me, are very quiet subjects, and easily managed by a little atten- 
tiofi to their prejudices. He lately gave them a few hundred rupees 
to celebrate a festival, which has had the best effect. He has 
also projected a plan to rebuild the city, which, if Government 
