1872.] 
J. M. Foster — Note on Ghargaon, Asam. 
89 
of various depths, made probably to provide materials for the wall as well 
as assist in the defence of the place. The core of the bund is said to be brick, 
and is covered with earth, now overgrown with forest trees. Here is also 
another bund, (query, an outer line of defence) some four or five miles outside 
Ghargaon proper. There are numerous traditions respecting the enclosed land ; 
one that none but the better families were allowed to reside within it ; another 
story tells us that the bund was planted with dense hedges of bamboos (hence 
its name Bansgayh), and this enormous tract of country was used as a preserve 
for wild elephants ; another that it was the private property of the Rajah, 
and that no one could exercise judicial powers within it but the Rajah him- 
self ; whilst some think, it is merely a coincidence, and this bund was simply a 
road (as it is in many parts at the present date) that may have been construct- 
ed before or about the time Ghargaon was adopted the capital. The Romans 
have • the reputation of being the masters in the art of road-making, but their 
efforts seem small when compared with the network of enormous bunds inter- 
secting this country in all directions, and made absolutely from mud alone, no 
other materials being procurable. The same neglect which has allowed the 
historic monuments of this country to fall into ruins, is very perceptible to 
any one who has the misfortune of being obliged to travel over these once 
magnificent roads during the wet season. 
Reference is made to Chamdara in the account of Mir JumlalTs advance, 
by Mons. F. Bernier : this place will be seen marked about five miles from 
Ghargaon on the road to Sibsagar, where the road cuts through the 
Bansgarh, and is still known by its ancient name. The gateway there, 
with an innnensc amount of fine carved stonework, has been utilized for build- 
ing purposes by the Public Works Department. The road from Ghargaon to 
this spot is very different to the ‘ Rajah’ roads, and seems never to have been 
properly repaired since dug up to annoy the enemy’s troops in 1G62. The city 
of Lokwa (Lukwah) mentioned in the sailor’s narrative, is some sixteen 
miles from Ghargaon, on the Rajgarh : not a brick is to be seen there now, 
the place is at present a tea garden ; a portion of Mir Jumlah’s fleet must 
have gone up the Desang upon which Lukwah is situated, and probably a 
portion of the forces marched down the Rajgarh to invest Ghargaon on the 
east, whilst another portion of the fleet and army went of the Dik’ho, land- 
ing about where Rangpur (Sibsagar) now stands, to attack on the west ; 
for it seems highly improbable that the whole of the forces could have gone 
up the Desang to attack Lukwah, when the Dik’ho route to Ghargaon was 
nearer, more practicable for both fleet and army, and had water communica- 
tion to within gunshot of Ghargaon itself, whilst Lukwah was at least sixteen 
miles distant. 
The stone gateway mentioned by Robinson, the guard houses, and other 
brick buildings in the enclosed space at Ghargaon have all disappeared since 
