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/230

206 Among the remains at Bishanpur I must not omit to notice the very curious pyramidal structure known as the Ras Mancha; a photograph of it has been taken.  

The remains at Hugli, Hindu and Muhammadan, have been noticed by various writers, but I especially refer to Messrs. Blochmann and Money's papers in the Journal of the Asiatic Society. I need only add to Mr. Money's paper that the temple from the ruins of which the dargah has been built must have been of the style of the beautiful and profusely sculptured temples at Janjgir, which are ornamented internally throughout with scenes from the Ramayana and others. The descriptive labels which still exist in the dargah, as noticed by him, could have been engraved only because the scenes were actually sculptured on the walls and needed the labels to be readily understood.—See my report for season 1873–74.

I visited Jonpur, but as I have nothing to add to the excellent accounts already extant about it, it is needless for me to say anything. Measurements, &c., were made, and the more interesting of such as have not already been published will be found in the plates. I especially recommend to attention the unrivalled profile of the grand corner towers at the back corners of the Jamai Majid. It is strange the great Historian of Architecture does not notice them at all; for massive, yet elegant, simplicity and boldness they have no rivals in any building I have yet seen.

I examined also several temples near Mirzapur; among them, the famous one of Vindhyavâsini Devi at Bindhâchal. The building as it stands is modern, but built of old materials; the pillars are quite plain, and the building altogether of no interest. I am told the figure inside is inscribed, but I was naturally not allowed to examine it. There is, however, nothing of special interest about the temple. The legend about it is to be found in the Native Mahâtmyas and also in the Mahâbhârat, and do not need reproduction here. Tradition says the head of Vindhya lying prostrate in worship of the goddess is near Bindhâchal, while his feet are at Chunâr and Rájmahál, respectively. A different version of the story, which places one foot at Gáyá, is given in the Journal, Asiatic Society, "Account of a tour from Mirzapur to Nâgpur." The name Vindhya has at various times and by various 