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/116

92 we thus have clear proof that Buddha's cave was adorned with a hall in front, so that the circumstance of the socket-holes does not affect the question in any way.

General Cunningham also ingeniously tries to make out that, because the range of the Baibhár runs north-east and south-west, and the cave is situated near the northern end, that it may therefore be considered as being in the northern shade. I disallow his position entirely; the cave is indeed in the northern end of the mountain, but instead of being in the northern shade, it is precisely in the opposite predicament, being in the southern glare of the hill, and the sun from sunrise to about 2 blazes furiously into the cave.

Having now disposed of the two caves in hand, there remains to find out the true Sattapanni cave.

Following Fa-hian's direction, we come from the plain between old and new Rajagriha to the Baibhár hill. We do not enter the valley of old Rajagriha at all; 300 paces west from the extreme east toe of the Baibhár hill is the Pippal cave. I appeal to Plate 41, Vol. III, Reports, to show that the Pippal cave is not within the valley; it is on the ridge which forms the boundary of the valley. Now, as this ridge runs not west or north-west, but south-west, it is clear that going due west from the Pippal cave we cannot possibly enter the valley, but travel along the northern toe and in the northern shade of the Baibhár hill. Going 5 or 6 li or about a mile west from here, in the northern shade of the hill is the famed Sattapanni cave. I travelled as Fa-hian directs. I went even 2 miles, but without seeing any cave that could have served the purposes of the synod. I turned back hopeless, when straight in front of me on the side of the hill was the cave sought for! I had passed it unnoticed. It is so situated that, going from east to west, it is not seen, but is seen distinctly coming from west to east; it is situated rather less than a mile from the Pippal cave, and to west of it; a diagram will illustrate how it escapes notice in going from east to west.

The above is a rough plan of the cave. A B is a steep scarped face of the rock, extending a long way. D. C. is also