87 
1894.] H. Beveridge— Major. Franckliris description of Gaur. 
to Gaur, A. D. 1810: by Major William Francklin, Regulating Officer at 
Bhagalpur.” The first entry is “ 11th December, '1810.—Left Rajma- 
hal and in four marches reached the village of Aurangabad, the south¬ 
eastern boundary of the Bhagalpur district.” From Aurapgabad (now 
in the Jaxjgipur Subdivision of Mnrshidabad), he went to SutI, crossed 
the Bhaglratlil at a ford into the Cossimbazar island, then crossed the 
Ganges to Sibganj, and proceeded towards Modhipur. “ After wind¬ 
ing through the forest we passed the village of Chandy, where are 
erected some indigo works belonging to Mr. Ellerton, of Goamalty, 
pleasantly situated in the woods and near the river. At 9-30 A. M., en¬ 
camped at the village of Modhipur; at about 20 yards from this village 
the Ganges branches out to the southward, and you enter the Bhagirathi 
river, on which is situated the city of Gaur. This river must not be 
confounded with that which bounds the Cossimbazar island to the 
N.-W., bearing the same name, distance 9 miles. (See the map.) ” 
The report is not a long one, for it is contained in a thin folio of 
about eighty pages. The second part of it is occupied by an account of 
Pandua and a historical memorandum. From the dates in the Pandua 
Journal it would appear that the 4 11th December, 1810,’ of the first 
entry of the Gaur Journal, is a clerical error for “ 11th November.” 
The Journal before noticing the buildings in detail gives the follow¬ 
ing general description of Gaur: — 
“ What remains of the ancient city of Gaur is situated on the banks of 
the Bhagirathi river, enclosed in deep and thick jungles. The river runs 
east and west, and formerly skirted the walls of the royal palace, though it 
has in the course of time considerably receded. 
It is situated 100 miles east-by-south of Bhagalpore, 28 miles S. E. from 
Rajmahal, and 11 miles distant from Maldah. You enter from the eastward 
through the Katwali Gate. The extent of the city of Gaur, without includ¬ 
ing the suburbs, is about ten miles in length, but in no place is it broader 
than 2| or 3 miles. It is surrounded on all sides by a stupendous mound of 
earth, 250 ft. wide at the base, and from 30 to 40 ft. high; the top of this 
embankment is now planted with rows of lofty trees. This embankment was 
no doubt intended to protect the city, which is situated on low ground, from 
the destruction occasioned by the overflowing of the rivers, at the season of 
the periodical rains. Two grand roads led through the whole of the city, 
raised with earth and paved with brick, commencing at the Katwali Gate 
and terminating at the N.-W. entrance. Within this extent the remains of 
bridges which have been cut (?) over the low grounds, are still visible. Over 
every part of this city large tanks have been formed, with innumerable 
drains and ditches, to carry off the water, the earth of which, being thrown 
up, has elevated the ground considerably from the level country. The 
ground about Gaur is everywhere scattered over with bricks, which are 
turned up, and mix with the soil, which is very rich, and in those parts that 
J. i. 12 
