Indian Antiquary Vol 01

SR No.: 032493
Original Sutra Author: N/A
Author: Jas Burgess
Publisher: Swati Publications
Publication Year: 1984
Total Pages: 430
Language: English
Classification: Book_English
File Size: 22 MB

Page 131

APRIL 5, 1872.]
GEOGRAPHY OF MAGADHA.
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nearly as possible, one mile. The south and on the top of the hill, and I found several images, west side of the hill are covered with the debris and the remains of two large stậpas, and of houses, &c., and the solitary peak which one temple similar to that on Baibhår. There erowns the hill is surmounted by an enorm- is also a large enclosure containing five modern ous brick stúpa. Though there is no natural Jaina temples-the centre one square and the cave in the southern face of the hill, as might others triangular in shape. Each of the small reasonably be expected, the other features it ones contains a figure of Buddha bearing the presents are so remarkable as to put its identi- creed, " ye dharma hetu etc." There are large fication beyond a doubt, and everything tends to numbers of gray stone columns at the foot of show that the caves and grottoes of Rajgir the mounds abovementioned, and the spot has were mostly artificial.
evidently been once the site of a Vihara. Parallel with Ratnagir and Devaghat runs Although five hills are stated both in poetry Udayagir. Two ramparts or walls seem to have and history to have surrounded the ancient traversed the valley. The first to the west now capital of Magadha, this can hardly be considercalled the Nekpai-bând, and the second stretches ed literally correct, and to maintain the old from the foot of Devaghât, as before described, to description, several peaks must be considered the centre of the valley, and this seems to have as forming part of the same mountain. Thus the been continued as far as the foot of the Udaya rocky cliffs of Chhata or Chhakra must be deemhill. The slopes of this hill are more gradual ed the eastern extremity of Baibhâr, and the vathan any of the others, and this accounts for the rious parts of Sonargir must be considered as porfortifications which surmount it. The steepest tions of one great hill. Sonargir, the most extenside of the mountain is towards the west, and it sive, though the least lofty of all the hills, begins is through a narrow ravine at the foot of it, that at the south-east corner of the valley, and runs the valley is entered from the south. The due east from this point till it reaches the centre passage is very narrow, and in the centre runs of the valley just above the plain of the Ranthe Bảnganiga rivulet, which rises from beneath bhûm. From this point three branches stretch Sonargir. The pass was strongly fortified, and eastwards; the first inclining slightly towards the the ramparts and bastions are still remark- north, and forming the southern boundary of ably perfect, although they have been exposed to the valley of the five hills, the second runs due the devastations of the rain and sun for many east and forms the western side of the ravine centaries. Just within the valley are the ruins which leads into the Hisua-Nowâda plains, of the two towers, and at the entrance of the and the third tarns first south, then again almost pass, where the width of the ravine is little due east, and finally terminates, as I have before more than twenty feet, two forts of considerable described, in the rocks and torrents of Banganga. size-one on the slope of Udayagir, and the This was evidently the weakest point in the other facing it, at the foot of Sonargir. The natural defences of the city, for an enemy who former measures 111 feet from the north to had once gained the entrance of the valley, south, and 40 from east to west. From (which appears to have been still further prothis point a massive wall, 16 feet thick, (and tected by a semi-circular wall outside it,) could still having an elevation of some 10 or 12 easily pass up the gentle slope between the two feet), stretches in a direct line due east to last mentioned branches of the hill, and descend the summit of the mountain. I measured it to by an equally easy road on the northern side a distance of 4,000 feet from the commence- of the hill into the very heart of the valley. I ment, and it thus appears to continue its course ascended the hill on this side, and soon gained for more than two miles on the crest of the the summit, which, like that of Udayagir, is hill, then to cross over towards the north, and occupied by an enormous pile of ruins, and a finally to pass down the northern slope, and modern Jaina temple. Inside the pagoda is a into the narrow valley between Udayagir and large figure of Buddha, bearing the creed, and Ratnagir, just opposite the staircase of Bimbi- also a comparatively modern inscription on the sâra, which leads to the summit of the Devaghatinoccupied portions of the pedestal. Several hill. The wall is composed of huge stones on columns are lying about, and also portions of either side, closely fitted together without cement, cornice and other ornamental carving. This the centre being filled up by & mass of pebbles was once, evidently, the site of some great and rubbish. There are traces of Buddhist ruins vihara or temple. . Thirty paces south of the