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ARCHÆOLOGICAL SURVEY OF INDIA.


REPORT OF TOURS IN THE SOUTH-EASTERN PROVINCES,

1874-75 & 1875-76.


THE first season's tour began at Bharhut, and extended down to Ganjám, passing through the Rewa territory, the States of Sirguja, Udayapur, Ráyagarh, Sonpur Bod, and the districts of Sambhalpur, Ganjám, Khurdá, and Katak. Re­garding the work at Bharhut and its vicinity, where I had the honour of assisting General Cunningham, full information will doubtless be found in his forthcoming work, and I need only notice such remains of archaeological interest as I saw after having parted company from him at Bharhut.

1.—AKAHA.

A short distance from Bharhut, at the village of Akaha, are a few late Buddhist fragments: one has a longish inscription beginning with the usual “ Yedharmma ” and ending with *'Maha Sarmana," followed by "Paramopasaka Mahananda Nayaka ch • • • • • (Symbol missingIndic characters) The figure is four-armed, and is seated cross-legged, with two hands at the chest. On its two sides are two similar but smaller figures. Buddha is seated in the head-dress of the principal figure, which is 18 inches high. A female figure also, with Buddha on the head-dress, stands close to the above sculpture, and some nondescript fragments.

2.—MADHOGARH, RAMPUR, BAIJATH.

On the road to Rewa from Satna, at Mádhogarh, are some sculptured figures over the doorway of the fort. There are also numerous temples on the river banks, but though modern, the figures are ancient.