Page:Report of a Tour Through the Bengal Provinces of Patna, Gaya, Mongir and Bhagalpur; The Santal Parganas, Manbhum, Singhbhum and Birbhum; Bankura, Raniganj, Bardwan and Hughli in 1872-73.djvu/109

Rh  professional assistance. From a perusal of his account, it is impossible to make out with any degree of certainty, or even lucidity, the details of the temple which he has excavated and destroyed, for the pillars, doorway, &c., have long ago been by him removed to Bihár. He has indeed ventured to give a restored elevation of the great temple; but though this makes a very effective plate, and his description is good enough for a "popular account," they are next to worthless for all scientific purposes; and in the interest of true archæology, I venture to enter a strong protest against acts which destroy such interesting ruins without preserving detailed and minute measurements of what is thus destroyed. In exposing ancient ruins buried under ground, destruction of parts, and often wholesale destruction, is sometimes inevitable; but there is no reason why careful and detailed measurements should not be preserved before the work of destruction is proceeded with. These measurements should in fact be made with even more than ordinary care and in most minute detail, for the simple reason that future reference and verification is impossible. I trust my feeble voice will have some effect in adding that discretion to the laudable zeal of explorers, without which they risk destroying for ever that which is of solid and enduring interest.  

Râjgir, the ancient Girivraja, is one of the oldest cities in India, and has deservedly obtained a prominent place in the writings of all who have treated of the antiquities of Magadha. My task is therefore greatly lightened, for it is unnecessary for me to do more than refer to the writings of General Cunningham, which contains, as it were, a summary of all that had been discovered and published till his visit last year, and to the later discoveries embodied in Mr. Broadley’s paper. A few points alone, which either have not received the requisite attention, or wherein I differ from the writers named, need be considered in detail.

Among the new discoveries are two inscriptions obtained from an old well at the side of the path leading through old Râjgir from the north entrance to the Báwan Gangá defile. The well is situated in the southern portion of the fort outside the long south ramparts of the inner town. These inscriptions are both in brick, and are much mutilated from the effects of weather and saline efflorescence. They are 