572 
BAS-RELIEF AT NAKSHI-RAJAB. 
commit the same outrages on the sculptures in its neighbour¬ 
hood. Chardin mentions, that soon after the death of Shah 
Abbas the Great, the prime minister of his unworthy successor 
ordered sixty men to be employed every day for a certain length 
of time, in the sole business of destroying the ruins in this plain. 
Some disgust had been taken at the passion European travellers 
had shewn to visit these remains ; and thus a barbarous policy 
attempted to sweep them from the earth. 
The costume in this bas-relief is similar to that of Shapoor 
in the sculpture with Valerian, having the like curling drapery 
falling from the thigh to the ankle. But the king’s crown here, 
resembles that of the queen’s in the sculpture of Baharam Gour, 
and is appendaged with vast volumes of floating streamers. 
The length of the excavation is seventeen feet; and like its 
companions, is begun six feet from the ground. The next, 
occupies the center of the recess, (Plate XXVII.) and is a repe¬ 
tition of the former subject, only the actors are on foot. With 
one hand, each person holds the wreath firmly between them, 
while with the other they grasp a couple of strong staves. Their 
head-dresses, robes, &c. are like those they wear at Nakshi- 
Koustam, with this only difference, that the king in this 
sculpture has no flowing curls. Two attendants stand behind; 
one is beardless, with the usual badged cap, and holding a fly- 
chaser ; his companion is resting on the pommel of his sword. 
In the rear of the other great personage, stands a long pole, on 
the top of which appears a half-defaced square mass. Near it are 
two figures, with visages hideously ugly, yet having the contour of 
women. A couple of very small forms are still visible between 
the principal ones, but so demolished as only to allow us to 
trace with great difficulty that they carry something resembling 
