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A. M. Broadley — The Buddhistic (Remains of Bihar. [No. 3, 
and religious system which saw no distinction between the Brahman and 
the Sudra, the priest and the artificer, has had a considerable effect in 
giving the great commercial clans of Bihar a position far different than 
that which they would have occupied in a purely Brahmanieal community. 
Nearly the whole trade of Bihar is in the hands of the Tells (or oil-sellers), 
and they rank far higher than the majority of the banyan or merchant class. 
This distinction has doubtless a foundation in Buddhistic times, when the 
Tells had become leading men in the social scale.* The great doorway at 
Bargaon was dedicated “ to the advancement of the highest knowledge” 
by Baladitya — “ chief among the wise men of the Tailadliaka clan an image 
near Giryak appears to have been “ consecrated by the pious devotion of a 
Tell of Mathurd while the great Buddha at Bargdon is still called the Telia, 
Bhanddr, and one of the most remarkable figures at Titrawan, — the Telia 
Blmbe (?). In addition to this, the Ghosrawan tank is still called the Sao 
Pokhar, — Sao being the common upddhi of the oilman’s tribe. I might 
multiply instances of the effect of Buddhism on caste, but for the present 
this will suffice. 
Thirdly .— As regards the architecture and ceremonies of the Buddhistic 
faith, and the history of its gradual development, the writer could receive no 
little aid from a careful consideration of the Bihar sculptures. They also 
tend to throw considerable light on the much vexed question of the priority 
or otherwise of the Brdhmanical and Buddhist creeds. The great linya found 
at Aphsar is an instance of what I mean. Everything I have found in Bihar 
fully convinces mo of the anterior existence of Hinduism, the coeval duration 
of both faiths, and the final decay of Buddhism, under the combined influence 
of internal decay, Brahmanieal increasing power, and Muhammadan conquest. 
I trust my readers will be now convinced that the historian, the artist, 
and the antiquarian, may some day derive material assistance from an inspec- 
tion and careful consideration of the temples and monasteries I have excavated, 
and the collection I have formed. For myself I disclaim anything but the 
very smallest amount of scientific knowledge on the subject, and cheerfully 
leave the drawing of historical and social deductions and conclusions to 
others, being more than content with the no small merit of having described 
the greater part, arranged a lesser portion, and discovered a few of the Bud- 
dhistic remains of Bihar in Patna. 
* So largo is the proportion of Tells in Bihar society, that a common popular 
refrain says — 
CiPP LS) J 13 
Turks (Muhammadans J , Tells, and Tdr-palms, these three make up Bihar. 
