2 A. M. Markham— Archaeological 'Excavations in Bijnor. [No. 1, 
Some silver coins, of comparatively recent date, and of no archaeo¬ 
logical value, were found buried close under the surface of this mound. 
They were sold as silver, and the proceeds credited to the excavation 
fund. 
I next commenced operations on a fine mound in the old ruined 
Fort of Mor Dhaj ( Mayura Dhwaja, also known formerly,* but not now 
apparently, as Munavvar Jur ), lying 7 miles north-east of Najibabad, to 
which I drew the attention of General Cunningham, R. E., many years 
ago, and which has been briefly described by him in the Archaeological 
Reports, Volume II, page 237. 
The mound was in dense jungle, and usedf to be known as 
Shigri ((Qy. 8 her-Gar hi, or S'hri-Garhi ?), but I now find that this name, 
like that of Munavvar Jur , has dropped out of local use and knowledge. 
After careful clearing of the overgrowth of jungle, the mound 
was disclosed, 35 feet in height, and 308 feet in circumference, circular. 
A closer examination showed that the outer portion of the mound was 
composed of brick rubbish, the remains of some large superstructure. 
The size and importance of this building, originally, no doubt, a large 
Chaitya, with the usual series of umbrella-like discs composing its lofty 
spire, and in later days probably a temple, may be guessed at from the 
fact that the entire surface of the mound, to a depth of from 3 to 8 feet, 
and many square yards of plain surface around its base to a similar depth, 
were covered with broken brick debris. I am informed that, within the 
memory of living men, there were still portions of the superstructure 
standing on the mound, but that the materials were utilized in the 
construction or repair of bridges on the Najibabad and Kotdwara road, 
which skirts the base of the old fort, at a distance of about 400 yards. 
If this be true, it is a matter of very serious regret. 
I first had the covering of debris very carefully removed from 
six foot lines on the centre of all four sides, these lines meeting at top, 
and being extended to the foundation, 7 feet below the present level of 
the soil. In this debris nothing was found of any interest. It was all 
composed of pieces of brick, which had mostly been of the large size 
usually found in these old remains. No pieces of building stone were 
found. 
The only things of any interest found in this or in the surrounding 
debris were the following : 
(a). A portion of a terra-cotta figure ; left leg from groin to ankle, 
7J inches ; right thigh (only) 4| inches. Wearing a tight dhoti, with 
an ornament over the seat of the genital organ. (This ornament differs 
* Within tlie last 20 years. 
f Within 20 years back. 
