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1904.] W. N. Edwards —Archaeological Remains in Bishnath. 19 
Bishnath,” the distance round the curve of the high land being only 
some six miles between the two places. 
The large earthworks that surround the old city are extant to this 
day and measure roughly 2 miles 1£ furlongs long, by 1 mile 2 furlongs 
broad, and comprise all that land lying between the Ghiladari river on 
the west, to the Sadharu river on the east. These entrenchments con¬ 
sist of double “ Bunds ” about 60 feet apart from the apex, with a deep 
ditch between, which was probably kept full of water from the rivers. 
Almost in the centre of this enclosure, of about 2J square miles, is a 
large fort consisting of exceedingly high earthern walls, which were at 
one time lined with brick; and surrounded by further outworks thrown 
up 50 to 60 yards away from the main fort, and protected by a ditch all 
round. It would appear that this was the citadel of the town. There are 
also several large tanks full of water to this day scattered throughout 
the enclosure. To the N.E. of the citadel is a clump of trees by the 
side of a tank, known to the natives as the ££ Burra-Gosai Jharoni',” and 
here the Assamese worship once or twice a year coming from all parts 
of the district. On examination, I found a walled enclosure 100 feet 
square, but now almost hidden under earth and jungle, laid with old 
Assamese bricks; and scattered about inside this a good deal of carved 
stone work. One slab had some inscription on it, but this has yet to 
be deciphered. There was also a curious granite vase standing about 
2 feet high and solid, but for a circular hole running from mouth to base 
2 inches in diameter. It was unbroken, and had evidently been used for 
ornamentation. By native tradition this spot is said to have been the 
tomb of a holy man of a bygone age, and there is a murti attached to 
the place, of old Hindu design, which the Thakur keeps hidden, until 
required at the festivals. 
Prom these interesting remains it seems that Pretappur was a large 
and populous city about the 13th century, but its actual age was probably 
considerably greater than this, for the capital of Nagsonkor, A.D, 378, 
was situated in or about this place. 
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