Page:The Indian Antiquary, Vol. 4-1875.djvu/289

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274 THE INDIAN ANTIQUARY. . lEUfigs, 1875. Note, As archaeological interest and archaeological eyes are more frequent now, and indications of localities may be of use, it may not be out of place to append an extract from Pharaoh's Gazetteer of Southern •„ Madras, 185o, pp, 33S-9, respecting a spot in Udiarpalayam, the most easterly taluka of Trichiuapalli, which I was never able to visit myself. The tank referred to must be remarkable as rivalling in extent the great lake-like reservoirs once existing in Ceylon ; and, with reference to the comment at the end, it is satisfactory to reflect that such high-handed Vandalism wonld probably not be countenanced by officials or Government to-day. "It may also bo mentioned that in the Udiarpalayam taluka there is an embankment 1G miles long, running north and south, provided with several substantial sluices and of great strength, which in former times mast have formed one of the largest reservoirs in India. This large tank or lake waa filled partly by a channel from theKolerun river, upwards of 60 miles in length, which enters it at its southern end, and partly by n smaller channel from tho V e 1 1 ar , which en- it on the north. Traces of both these clumnels still remain. The tank has been ruined and use- less for very many years, and its bed is now alraoBt wholly overgrown with high and thick jungle. It is said traditionally that its ruin was wilful, and the net of an invading army. Near the southern ex- tremity of the band there is a village, now sur- rounded by jungle, called Ganga ku n dapn- ram. Immediately in its vicinity is a pagoda of nge.size and costly workmanship ; and close by. surrounded by jungle, are some remains of an- cient buildings, now much resembling the mounds or heaps which indicate the site of ancient Babylon* but in which the village elders point out the various parts of an extensive and magniticcuc palace. When this palace was in existence G a n - gakundap uram was the wealthy and flou- rishing capital of a monarchy, and the great tank spread fertility over miles and miles of what is now trackless forest. It has often been projected to restore that magnificent work, but the scheme has remained in abeyance for want of engineer officers. At some future time it may be success- fully prosecuted, but till then this most fertile tract must remain a jangle, and the few inhabitants will etill point with prido to the ancient band Eta a monument of the grand and gigantic enterprise of their ancient sovereigns, and compare it contemp- tuously with the undertakings of their present rulers. Speaking of the noble temple of G a n g a- kundapuram, it must not bo omitted that when the lower Kolerun dnikat was built, the structure w&b dismantled of a large part of the splendid granite sculptures which adorned it, and the enclosing wall was almost wholly destroyed in order to obtain materials for the work. The poor people did tbeir utmost to prevent this destruction and spoliation of a venerated edifice, by the servants of a government that could show no title to -it ; bub of course without success ; they were only punished for contempt- A promise was made indeed, that a wall of brick should be built in place of the stone wall that was pulled down; but un- happily it must be recorded that this promise has never been redeemed." The lower Kolerun dnikat was built, in 1836, according to the scheme and advice of Colonel (now Sir A.) Cotton. I know nothing of the present condition of the temple and remains, bat should imagine a great deal of historical and anti- quarian value and interest wonld be discovered by a competent explorer. SANSKRIT AND OLD CANARESE INSCRIPTIONS, BY J F. FLEET, Bo. CS. uiuedfrum jiaje 211.) No. III. This is from a copper-plate belonging fco Gm~ gavva Kflm Kallappa Gngari of Behatti in the Hobballi Taluka of the Dharwad District. The iste of three plates, each 7$" broad by ll^-* long, strung together by a inas- sive ring, the seal of which, bears a figure of the bull Basava or Nandi with the Bun and moon above it. The inscription, in the Kayos tha

tera and the Sanskrit language, and

written across the breadth of the plates, covers the inner side of the first plate, both sides of the second plate, and the inner and part of the outer side of the third plate. This inscription mentions the following princes of the Kalachari family r— shna, J6gama. Paraumrdi. Vijjana. Soma. Sankama. Ahavamaila. Singban&deVa.