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 132

110
THE INDIAN ANTIQUARY.
[APRIL 5, 1872
pagoda, one comes quite suddenly on the great wall-almost unbroken and entire. It is uni- formly sixteen feet thick, but its height differs at various places. It commences in the Ranbhûm plain, and then runs in a direct line to the summit of the hill, a distance of 2300 feet. From this point an enormous embankment rans across the valley to the foot of Baibhâr, and now bears the name of Jarâsandha's bând. At the top of the mountain the wall turns to the east, following the crest of the central branch of Sonargir, which now takes an almost semicircular form, to a distance of 4100 feet. The wall at this point runs down the ravine, crosses it close to the source of the Banganga torrent, then ascends the slope of the southern branch of the hill, and passes first along its ridge and then down its western slope till it ends in the foot to the west of the stream, as nearly as possible 12,000 feet from its commencement in the Ranbhûm plain. The fort at which it ends is about half the size of the one on the opposite side of the torrent. I have thus succeeded in tracing the great wall which formed the artificial defence of the valley, but strange to say, popular legends, so far from connecting it with any such purpose, make it the evening walk of the Asura king—the spot where he used to enjoy the cool mountain air after the fatigues of the day.
Before giving some account of the wild ravine to the west of the valley, it may be interesting to say something of the Jaina pagodas which still adorn the hills. They are maintained and repaired by subscriptions collected all over India, and are yearly visited by thousands of pilgrims from Gwalior, Bombay, Calcutta and Murshidabad. They all contain charanas, or, impressions of th : sacred feet of the Tirthankaras generally carved in black basalt, but sometimes in marble, and invariably surrounded by a Nagari inscription. I have taken copies of the whole of them, but many have become very indistinct, on account of the oil, ghi, &c. with which they are annointed. The following are specimens of them. In the temple dedicated to Munisavrata, on the Vipula-hill, I found the following :-"On the 7th of the waxing moon in the month of Kartika, Samvat 1848, the image of the supremely liberated sage who attained salvation on the Vipula mountain, together with
his congregation, was made and consecrated by Sri Amrita Dharma Vachaka." In another of the series of temples " On ne 9th of the waxing moon in the month of Phâlguna, Samvat 1504, by Santha Sivaraja, &c. of the noble Jatada race.” On Sônârgir :" In the auspicious Khadatara Fort [garh), the image of Sri Adinátha, &c." The other inscriptions are similar, and the dates 1819, 1823, (on Udayagir) 1816, (Ratnagir) 1830 Samvat occur. I will only give one other at length. It comes from Vipulagir, and runs as follows ;" On Friday, the 13th of the waxing moon, in the month of Aswina, when the Saka year 1572 was current, Samvat 1707, [A. D. 1650), Suyâma and his younger brother Gobardhana, song of Lakshmidâsa and his wife Vananihâld, of the Vihara Vastûvya family, of the Dopada gotra, caused certain repairs to be done to......... in Rajagriha." Baba Rajendralála Mitra remarks, that in this inscription all the proper names have the title sangha' prefixed to them, and this shows that the individuals, in question belonged to a Buddhist congregation."
In one of the temples at the summit of Vipulagir I found the following “on the 7th of the waxing moon in Kârtika this statue of Mukhtigupta, the absolutely liberated sage, was made by Sri Sanga, on the "Sri Vipuláchala hill, and consecrated by the preachers of salvation." The Charana on Ratnagir bears the following: “ Om, Salvation. On the 6th of the waxing moon in the month of Mâgha, Samvat year 1829, Shi Manikchand, son of Bulâkidasa of the Ganghigotra, and Osa family, an inhabitant of Hugli having repaired the temple on the Ratnagiri hill in Rajagriha placed the two lotuslike feet of the Jina Šri Pârévanatha there." I conclude with the oldest inscription, which is on Sonargir-“ On the 9th of the waxing moon in the month of Phalguna, in the Samvat year 1504 .. .. of the Jâtada Gotra, Râmamála Varma Dasa, son of Sangha Manikadeva, son of the wife of Sangha ... baråja, son of Sangha Bûnarâja, son of Sangha Devaraja."
The most recent of the inscriptions is dated on late as Samvat 1912, or A. D. 1855.
I purpose in the next part to trace the route of Hwen Thsang amongst the hills and valleys to the west of Rajag riha.
(To be continued.)
• These readings and translations were made by Babu Rajendral Ala Mitra, for whose valuable assistance I cannot be too grateful.