1873.] 
E. T. Dalton —Rude Stone Monuments. 
119 
tion; where we find the latter without the traditions or the people, we may 
still safely infer that we have got on Munda tracks. 
1Vote by Mr. T. F. Repp e. 
i I have observed the monumental stones all alonsr the bounda- 
O 
ry between Bihar and Chutia Nagpur, and have little doubt they would 
have been found in the more civilized portions of the Bihar and Patna dis¬ 
tricts, had not the custom been so common of erecting* monumental stones 
in honor ot deceased Hindus at the road sides leading* into the village ; and 
all sorts of stones are found set up in this way, many of them rude uncut 
stones, others parts of temples, and I feel sure many of them have been ap¬ 
propriated from their Kolarian predecessors. 
‘ In the wilder parts of Bihar, in parganahs Japla, Balaunja, Sirris 
Kutumba and also in Sherghati, they are often to be met with, and their 
being found scattered over the country leaves little doubt of their Kolarian 
origin, to which local tradition assigns them. 
‘ In several places, I have seen a singular kind of monumental stone in 
the Lohardagga district, and the accompanying sketch may give you some idea 
of those I have seen near Bajpur, some few miles north of Nugri. They were 
claimed by the Pahan, or priest, of the village, who said that they had been 
set up in honor of his ancestors. I have seen them at other places also, 
but cannot remember where. 
‘ With regard to Hargaris, or Harsaris, as they are sometimes called, I 
think it worth noting that the largest collections are found in the tract of 
country lying on both sides of the Subanrekha, bounded on the west by the 
Chutia Nagpur Ghats, on the east by the Ajodia hill, on the south by the 
Singhbhum hills, and on the north by the hills forming the boundary between 
Hazaribagh and Lohardagga and Manbhum. This tract includes the par¬ 
ganahs of Silli, Barunda, Bahi, Bundu, and Tamar on the west side of the 
Subanrekha, and parganahs Julda, Bygonkudar, Baghmuri and Patkom on 
the other side. Judging by the vast collections of grave stones, this tract 
must have been occupied by a Munda population fora much longer time than 
any other portion of Chutia Nagpur I have seen. As you approach or recede 
from this centre, the collections of grave stones increase or diminish in 
number and importance, and it is curious to observe that, in the upper por¬ 
tion of the Damudar valley, such indications of a Munda population are 
wanting, only monumental stones being met with. 
‘ The largest slab I measured at Chokahatu, was 10 feet by 6|, by one 
foot in thickness, but at Barundah, about two miles to the north-west, there 
are some much larger. 
4 On remarking the comparative insignificance of the burial places on the 
plateau witli those in the 4 Lutur Desum’ or low country, 1 have frequent¬ 
ly been told in reply that it is only the Munda and his Bhuinhars who have 
slabs in the former, whereas down below every Munda family have their slab.’ 
