fashioned on the orthodox Hindu plan of varying the sections of the shaft from the square and polygon to the circle. A ruined temple at C in the sketch diagram is surrounded by water See photograph. and the lotus plant. See photographs. 23. Near this are two Jaina temples D and F, the former built in A.D. 1443 by the Khumbo Rana. Neither call for any special remark. Beyond these at G is a temple and porch which has an ancient look. Close to the causeway at the north end of the lake are two small temples H and K. The smaller one H is apparently the older, and is handsomely sculptured. A figure of Vishnu is in the sanctuary above the causeway; to the east are several temples L M N O; that at L being a large Jain one. They all want clearing of dirt and jungle. 24. The groups of temples at Eklingji are held very sacred. at P and Q are solidly built of masonry and covered with carvings. damaged by whitewash. Q is said to have been built by Mira Baie. Two of them 25. Chittore.-Chittore is over 60 miles north-east of Udaipur. The Malwa branch of the Rajputana-Malwa Railway passes a little over a mile from the present town, above which the ancient fortress towers as a hill mass 500 feet above the plain, and over 3 miles long by half a mile wide. The ascent, which begins from the town, is a mile to the upper gate, with a slope of about 1 in 15. The buildings here noted on are in the order pointed out to me by the kiladar, who was my guide. 26. The Sengar Chaori is a very elaborate building. Although the dome is now plain and unornamented outside, the interior See photographs. is finished in one of the most beautiful styles of Jain architecture; in the centre is a canopied masonry dais or "chabutra" on which the enthronement of each of the Ranas is said to have taken place. The bas-relief of the exterior walls are exceedingly bold and effective, and the building is, both from historical and architectural points of view, well worth preserving. The massive masonry walls which have been built up to both sides of the building cut it in half. Their removal would be a great improvement. The carvings inside and out require cleaning, and all vegetation should be removed from the roof and walls. 27. The great palace of the Rana, or Bara Mahal, is a plain building, but in excellent taste, and in course of being renovated for the use of the present Maharana. 28. A group of elaborately carved Jain temples known as the salis (27) See photographs. the weeds and creepers which Near to this are two other See photographs. Dewal-ki-Mandir should be preserved. Some of the masonry structures require strengthening, and cover the enclosure and walls should be outrooted. Jain temples with very handsome exterior carvings. Vegetation should be here thoroughly cleared away and the sculptures cleaned. 29. Next comes the so-called Mira Baie Temple with its curious interior See photographs. arrangement of columns. Its tower or sikra is all of stone and very handsome. The masonry walls to the north of the building are much damaged by trees which it would be as well to destroy. There is a good deal of injurious vegetation elsewhere in the building. 30. The Tower of Victory built by the Khumbo Rana, one of the most powerful Ranas of Meywar, is the striking monument of Chittorgarh. It was erected about the middle of the 15th century during a revival of Jain architecture. The nine storeys composing this exceedingly interesting tower are covered inside and out with sculptures of great beauty. The arrangement of the staircase as it passes through the various storeys is especially curious. The dome that now surmounts the ninth storey was a substitution in 1839 for the old roof which was destroyed by 1 1 lightning. Being in the Mogul style, and not of the best type, its removal would, I think, be a great improvement, and it would be even better to substitute a flat unobtrusive covering in its place rather than attempt any imaginative restoration. A number of chhujjas, cornices, pillars of projecting windows, parapets, Sc., require renewal, and the ubiquitous weeds should be destroyed. 31. Near the tower and in a south-west direction is a large stone temple known as the Mokal-ji-ka-Mandir, dating from the 15th century. It is choked up on all sides with regetation, and its roof has been invaded and nearly destroyed by pipal roots which should be removed. Some loose stone walling abulting on the temple should be taken down and the whole structure set free. What is now unobscured of the sculptures of the exterior shows some very fine and interesting friezes of figure subjects depicting real scenes in history. The carrings require cleaning. The interior of the porch and temple should be thoroughly cleaned out, and some of the masonry in lintels, &c., requires strengthening. The floor of the sanctuary is below the ground level, like that at Ambernath in Bombay. North and east of this fine old building are two interesting doorways-that to the east is on the street of the Sindhi Bazar, and the houses which encroach on it right and left might with great advantage be remored. My guide called both of these gateways "Ahar-ki-Darwaza.” Close to this spot is the picturesque and historical fountain and tank known as the gau-mukh, and above See photographs. is the Mahasali, where some of the early Ranas were cremated. 32. The foregoing are buildings that my guide Jive Ras, the kiladar, showed me the first day of my visit. 33. On the second day I began by examining the Ram Pol gateway, from whence Akbar is said to have carried off the wooden doors to the Agra Fort. I took an opportunity on my return vid Agra to look at these gates, and there can be no doubt that if they are the original ones from Chittore, Akbar had them covered with the present plates of copper ornament which is thoroughly Muhammadan and in the same style as the ornamentation in the Agra palace buildings. The Ram Pol gateway is a a handsome masonry structure with bold friezes along the plinth. Vegetation should be See photograph. removed. See photograph. 34. The old Jain Tower (A.D. 896) of Sri Allat is in considerable disrepair and will require very careful treatment. A tree is doing great damage in the uppermost storey, and there is much vegetation in the walls. One of the four projecting windows in the top storey has fallen away, and the niche with an erect Jain figure to the east will soon fall unless attended to. The carvings near the base want cleaning. The temple near the Jain Tower has some handsome carvings inside and out which are very neglected and dirty and See photograph. deserve cleaning. See photographs. 35. The ancient temple to Mahadeo, Nilkant by name, is said to have been built by Bappa in the 8th century. It is kept in some repairs, and has a resident priest. 36. Close to this is the Suraj Pol or Gate of the Sun, a plain structure, and the eastern entrance to the fortress. A little further on the road, the temple of Samiddheshwar Mahadeo is passed; its sikra or tower is partly fallen, the enclosure covered with fragments of sculpture, and the porch or mandap has lost its dome. The sanctuary has that peculiar sunken chamber which I first observed in the temple of Ambernath in Bombay, and the plan of the temple is on the lines of an octagonal star. Vegetation and trees are doing damage; sculptures require cleansing. 37. Next comes an ancient looking building with two small domes, laid in the Hindu fashion of horizontal courses, called the "Chattrang-mori-ka-Gumta." See photographs. 38. The Padmini-ka-Mahal and its island palace are being repaired by the Maharana Sujjan Singh. The principal gateway is See photographs. a handsome piece of architecture. The niches and masonry basement facing the tank have unfortunately been whitewashed. 39. The Maha Kali Temple has all the appearance of being ancient. Its sikra and domes covering the porches have been renewed in plaster. The exterior carvings are most interesting and curious. They require cleaning. The porch has a fine ceiling. 40. The Palla Sing and Jaimal Palaces are picturesque buildings with dark blue tiles showing in portions of the exterior. A short distance further on the Tower of Victory comes into view again, and the circuit of the fortress is complete. 41. The remedies here recommended are not very elaborate or difficult of execution. The structural repairs will require skill no doubt, but a very considerable improvement will be evident by simply clearing vegetation and cleaning up the buildings and their surroundings. Note on works in progress, dated 19th September 1882. The Dilwarra Temples are under two panchayats or committees, one at Sirohi, the other at Ahmadabad. The former can sanction annual repairs up to Rs. 2,000 and original or new works up to Rs. 15,000. The recent repairs are, however, clumsy and certainly inexpensive. I have authority to survey the various buildings. 2. At Ajmir a survey has been made of the Arhai-din-ka-Jhopra, of the Daolat Bagh, of the Khoja Syad's Tomb and surrounding buildings. There is now but one dome that is unrepaired in the Arhai-din-ka Jhopra. The enclosing quadrangle requires repair in places, and the carved fargments in the mosque proper should be cleaned. 3. An estimate for clearing one of the marble pavilions in the Daolat Bagh has been sanctioned, and the work has commeuced under Mr. Brassington, Executive Engineer, Mayo College. The adjoining marble pavilion, now used as a station library, will also be cleared and repaired, and a grant of Rs. 2,000 has been contributed from Imperial funds. The hammam, occupied as the Commissioner's office, should be repaired as soon as possible. 4. The survey of the Khoja Syad's Tomb will show what remedies are essential to the preservation of the numerous buildings. 5. A restored drawing of the Taragarh gateway has just been completed, and I understand from Lieutenant-Colonel Steel, R.E., Secretary to the Agent to the Governor General, Rajputana, Public Works Department, that the funds for its reconstruction will be provided. 6. In regard to Ambar, near Jaipur, I have recorded my view in a memorandum of 18th August 1882, see page clxxiv, and I hope that His Highness the Maharaja will take the matter into his serious consideration 7. I am not aware of anything having been done yet at Ulwar, not having been there since April 1881, but hope that the recommendation in regard to Fateh Jung's Tomb will at least be carried out. 8. My report on Udaipur and Chittore recommends a number of simple remedies which might easily be undertaken without delay, but for all structural repairs I recommend that an officer be appointed to draw out the specification of work, and to supervise it whilst in progress; but he should, in my opinion, have no responsibilities as to rates or the disbursement of money. Mr. Brassington, Executive Engineer of the Mayo College, Ajmir, could supervise the work at Chittore, and the engagement of his services would be the most convenient and inexpensive arrangement that I can think of. Chittore is 12 miles journey from Ajmir, where Mr. Brassington already has an office and establishment. T Report on Monuments in the Punjab, together with a Note on works undertaken. Note on Umritsar, dated 1st January 1881. 1. The Darbar Sahib or Golden Temple.-The temple or Har Mandar as it was at first called was built by Guru Arjan, the successor of Rám Dás; it occupied the site of the present building in the centre of the sacred tank, destroyed in 1761 after the battle of Ghulu Ghara near Ludhiana, and was rebuilt in 1762. but was 2. Maharaja Ranjit Singh, after seizing Umritsar in 1802, spent considerable sums of money on it, and from this time the temple has acquired the name of Darbar Sahib. The building is a remarkable specimen of modern Indian architecture. Its features and details are partly Hindu and partly Muhammadan in origin; but, as Mr. James Fergusson observes, neither its outline nor its details can be commended. The general effect produced by its marbles, walls of mosaic, and domes and upper storey overlaid with gold is, however, very rich and splendid, and its situation in the midst of the beautiful lake, surrounded on all four sides by picturesque pavilions or "bungas" as they are called, shows off the building to full advantage. 3. Umritsar is the Holy City of the Sikhs, and the Golden Temple and its surroundings are held in the highest reverence. A Committee of Sikhs presides over the welfare of the buildings, and repairs are now being sedulously executed, both inside and outside the temple. The painted and gilt interior decorations are being renewed, where faded or damaged, in a masterly way. This shows that native artists, left to themselves, are as thoroughly capable of emulating the splendid ornamentation brought into India by the Moslems as they were in the days of Akbar and Shahjehan. 4. As regards the preservation of the temple and the outlying Sikh buildings, I would recommend a greater attention to cleanliness. In spite of the sanctity which compels every visitor-Native or European-to remove his shoes, there are corners in the enclosure where the stenches are sickening. I also noticed the greater part of the inlaid and carved woodwork in the Darshami Darwaza, in the carved doors in the temple, and in the Baba Atal to be suffering from dirt and neglect. A little soap and water and occasional oiling would go far to preserve this woodwork, which is very beautiful of its kind. 5. The Baba Atal is a lofty tower built over the tomb of Baba Atal in A.D. 1628, and is one of the buildings held in reverence round the Golden Temple. Beyond its size and pleasing proportions, there is nothing very remarkable in the exterior; but the interior decorations of gold and colored arabesques are effective and handsome. These latter are also being renewed by the Sikh Committee. 6. In accordance with the wishes of Sir Robert Egerton, the Lieutenant-Governor of the Punjab, expressed to me at Lahore in November last, I have caused drawings to be put in hand of the Golden Temple and the neighbouring tower of Baba Atal. 7. Besides general plans, sections and elevations, details are being made of doorways-inlaid work in marble and wood-of wooden carvings, and of the gilt and painted interior embellishments. 8. These when complete will furnish some interesting material for the study of modern Indian decorative art. 9. Ram Bagh.-To the north of the city is the Ram Bagh, which was enclosed as a garden by Ranjit Singh about 1820, and in which he erected buildings for the accommodation of himself and his court whenever he stayed at Umritsar. These buildings were, until quite recently, used for the district courts and treasury, but another more convenient site has been found on which the kutcherry is newly built, and the Ram Bagh is well cared for as a garden and the buildings kept up as objects of interest only. Extract from a letter from CAPTAIN H. H. COLE, R.E., Curator of Ancient Monuments in India, to the Secretary to the Government of the Punjab, Public Works Department, dated Simla, 23rd August 1881. I have the honour to enclose a copy of my report of the 10th May 1881 (see page XIX) containing certain recommendations for preserving national buildings of interest at Lahore and Delhi, and to solicit that I may be informed whether His Honour the Lieutenant-Governor wishes to undertake any of the works specified before the close of the current financial year. 2. The plans to show the present condition of the buildings, and what may, with advantage, be done, are in course of being faired out in my office, and it will be necessary to appoint an officer to frame the estimates. Extract from a letter from CAPTAIN H. H. COLE, R.E., Curator of Ancient Monuments in India, to the Secretary to the Government of the Punjab, Public Works Department, dated Simla, 23rd August 1881. I have the honour to report that I have consulted with Major-General Cunningham, Director General of the Archæological Survey, as to the best way of dealing with the Buddhist ruins in the Peshawar Division; and beg to submit the following recommendations, in which General Cunningham fully concurs. 2. It is well known how interesting and valuable are these remains, both from an archæological and artistic point of view. On the one hand, General Cunningham is anxious to continue an examination of the Peshawar Valley, which has already yielded so much valuable historical and archæological information and matter; and on the other hand, I would urge the importance of preserving to posterity what remains of the art and architecture of the Gandhara Monasteries. 3. Already many valuable and beautiful sculptures have been exhumed from the Takht-i-Bahi, Shahbaz Garhi, Sahri Bahlol, Jamal Garhi, and elsewhere, and those that are now exhibited at the Calcutta and Lahore Museums are of the highest interest and value. 4. A good deal more may be discovered and be applied in the elucidation of Indian archæology and art. Many of the places already examined may be expected to yield further discoveries; and the village of Nogram or Ranigat is a very promising site. 5. How far the remains that may be brought to light can be preserved in situ is I think, to be only determined by consulting with the local authorities, and by taking each case on its own merits. |