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/71

Rh they saw the beautiful capital of the Magadha kingdom." The names "Goratha" and "Bathan" are both connected with cattle, and as there is no hill near enough to Râjgir besides the Bathan hill, the inference is obvious that the hill named Goratha in the Mahábhárata is the same as the present Bathani hill. I accordingly consider that the ancient name of the hill was "Goratha," meaning cattle-ear. "Bathan" in Hindi means a cattle-pen, a place where cattle are kept.

 ISLÂMPUR.

About 10 miles to north and a little cast of Nâderâ is Islâmpur. Here are several remains, but the better preserved sculptures were all removed to Bihâr, and only some large squared stones and fragments now remain; part is used up in modern buildings and huts, and also in some modern Hindu temples, of which there are several in various stages of neglect. The remains of this place had been noticed by Doctor Buchanan Hamilton; but the place is no longer rich in ancient remains.  A few miles south-west of Islâmpur is a small village named Lát, from a huge monolithic pillar now lying there half buried. This had been noticed by Dr. Buchanan, but he does not give any traditional account of it. The traditions of the place assert that it was being floated down to some place, when by some accident it was stranded here; and all subsequent attempts to float it down have proved abortive. Accounts differ as to where it was being carried, and tradition is totally silent as to where it came from; some say it was being carried to Telâda, others say Hilsa, and some even say it was being carried to Bihâr by the Subah. Wherever it may have been going, it is certain that it came from the south, and is not a remnant of the ancient grandeur of either the village of Lát, or of Islâmpur. Possibly it is part of the pillar at Bakror, of which another part is now in Gaya set up as a central mark in the city. It may possibly be even the Râjgir pillar which once stood near the tope (long since excavated), but of which hitherto no traces have been discovered; this, however, is very unlikely. (See J. A. S. for 1872, paper by Mr. Broadley.)

