Page:Annual Report of the Archaeological Survey of India Vol 12.pdf/10

iv Devadatta to obstruct the road into the city, was pitched by Prince Siddhartha.

Both of these spots are mentioned by the Chinese pilgrim Hwen Thsang under the same names, Sara-kufa (Source de la Fleche) and Hasti-gartta [la Fosse de 1a Elephant), which have remained unchanged to the present day.

Shortly after Mr. Carlleyle’s discovery I visited Bhuila TA1 myself, and examined many of the localities mentioned in this Report. I saw the Sur-kuia, or “ Arrow well," the Hdthi-gadhe, or " Elephant P it; " the Lumbinx-garden where Prince Siddhdrtha was born, and the site of Koli, the birth­ place of M&y£ Devi, the Prince’s mother. I also paid a visit to Koron-dih, the supposed site of RAma-grlma, and to other places in the neighbourhood. The result of my examination was the most perfect conviction of the accuracy of Mr. Carlleyle’ s identification of Bhuila TAl with the site of Kapiiavastu, the famous birth-place of Sftkya Muni.

I am also satisfied that the sites of the birth-places of the two previous Buddhas. Kraku-chanda and Kanaka, have been correctly identified.

At p. a6 the text of an inscription on the jAmi Masjid at Sambhal is given without any translation. I have since found the following rendering by Blochmann (see Bengal Asiatic Society’s Journal,) Proceedings for May 1873, p. 98.

“1. The collector of buildings of grace and beauty, the raiser of the standards of rule and faith.

2. The spreader of the wings of peace and tranquillity, the builder of the buildings of knowledge and deed.

3. Muhammad B&bar, Jam in dignity, may God Almighty have him in His keeping

4. Kindled in India the lamp of power, when a ray of it fell upon Sambhal.

5. To build this mosque, may it be protected against destruction and decay.

6. He gave orders to his mean slave, who is one of his principal officers