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/51

Rh according to Hwen Thsang there existed in his time a rocky hill to the south-west of the palace. His words are—

To the south-west of the present city of Patna, and about one kos from the Patna bazar, and the same distance south-east from Bânkipur, there is a small rocky hill, at the base of which is a small hamlet; the rocky summit of the hill, however, is uninhabited; it is now known as Bhiká Pahári.

In Muhammadan history a Panj Pahári is mentioned as standing just outside of the fortifications of Patna, from the top of which Akbar inspected the fort during the war with Dâud Khan (Stewart’s Bengal, page 153). The fort referred to there is the Muhammadan-built fort, as will be shown further on, but the Panj Pahári appears to me to mean no other than the very hill which I have heard named Bhiká Pahári. The name Panj Pahári is no doubt connected with the five stûpas which Hwen Thsang relates were to the south-west of the hill; they must have been at its very foot.

The name of the hill Bhiká Pahári, meaning the hill of the Bhikhas (or mendicant monks), is so clear a record of its ancient purpose, that further comment is needless; it is unquestionably the hill referred to by the pilgrim.

Hwen Thsang says further—"to the south-east of the city was Asoka’s Kukkutarâmâ monastery with a stupâ."

To the south-east of Patna there is yet a small brick mound; its name has escaped me, but it is clearly the ruins of Asoka’s Kukkutarâmâ monastery, and would probably be worth excavating.

In support, however, of my assertion, that ancient Pâṭaliputra is now under the waters of the Ganges, I mention that, after a very careful and minute examination of modern Patna, I failed to discover a single relic, or any traces of the great edifices, towers, &c., in it. It is hardly possible that all traces of the grandeur of the city should have so completely disappeared, if the city stood where modern Patna now stands; but if the Ganges has swallowed it, the complete disappearance is accounted for.

Greek writers mention that the walls of Palibothra were of wood. It most probably was so then, but the clear evidence of Fa Hian and of the Mudra Râkshasa shows that Pâṭaliputra was not a wooden city in their time.

The vast quantities of stone which must have been em-