161 
1873.] C. Horne— -JS/otes on the ruins at Sandras and Jaunpur. 
since by Kbairuddin Ilahabadi, a most learned Muslim of the city, from 
manuscripts and from local oral tradition, the Atalah Masjid is spoken as 
an existing idol temple when Firuz Shah founded the city. In this record 
we are told that Rajah Jay Chand overcame the giant Karabir, who resided 
at Jaunpur, and destroyed an idol temple ; but this temple would seem 
rather to have stood on, or below, the site of the Fort of Jaunpur, and of it 
but few traces remain. These consist of carved stones built into the mosque, 
which was afterwards constructed chiefly thereof in the Fort area. 
This view is supported by the fact that, in 1858-59, when mines were 
drawn under the fort for the purpose of destroying the fortification, carved 
stones and fragments of friezes were dug out, of the same patterns as those 
used by the Muslims in their erection of the propylus of the mosque of 
Atalah. This fort dates (as a fort) with the bridge, or perhaps a little earlier, 
i. e. the latter part of the 15th century. The temple of Atalah Devi, or Dewal 
Atalah, is spoken of throughout the history as having been a place of great 
sanctity, and it would seem that the Brahmans on the overthrow of Bud¬ 
dhism had appropriated it, and making Sakhya Muni the ninth Incarnation 
of Vishnu, left his figures standing therein. The fact of there being such 
figures, many remains of which still exist, only proves that the monastery 
was built after the faith had become much degenerated. Firuz Shah 
granted the people a sanad whereby their temples were not touched, 
but no new temples were to be erected. Subsequently, we are told, that 
naturally , as the Muslims gained power, they converted it into a mosque, 
and it became the state place of prayer ; but subsequently falling into disrepair, 
it was never restored. 
This, remember, was written by Muhammadans who could have no pos¬ 
sible object in misrepresentation, and who, if it were so, would certainly claim 
the mosque as an original erection. 
When most carefully examined by me, I found no traces of statues of 
any other than Buddhist, i. e. Sakhya, at the Atalah, although some others 
were found built into the other mosque. In the basement niches there 
would appear to have been cut in relief bells supported by chains or 
twisted rope. This is a well known form of ancient Hindu ornamentation, 
and the cloisters at the Qutb near Dihli, which Cunningham so clearly 
shews to have been constructed of Hindu temple pillars, are covered with 
them. Report for 1862-63, page xxxix. 
This last named writer in one place speaks of the apparent conversion 
of these bells most ingeniously into seal and stands with a Muhammadan 
inscription upon them, and this would appear to have been done at 
the Atalah, notably in the vestry room, converted by them into a room 
for their women who entered by a private door and staircase, and they 
then appear to have cut upon the said seals their profession of faith. 
