foundation, benefaction, or dedication of land, slaves, or fruit trees was generally recorded on stone." But hardly any inscriptions have been found earlier than the middle of the 11th century A.D.[1]
Images. Some famous images have been mentioned. At Pāgăt, on the Salween, is a notable collection. Here are the famous caves where besides countless numbers at the entrance are myriads of statues within.
In the words of a bye-gone traveller:—"(The cave) is of vast size, chiefly in one apartment, which needs no human art to render it sublime. The eye is confused, and the heart appalled....Every where, on the floor, overhead, on the jutting points, and on the stalactite festoons of the roof, are crowded together images of Gautama—the offerings of successive ages. Some are perfectly gilded; others encrusted with calcareous matter; some fallen, yet sound; others mouldered; others just erected. Some of these are of stupendous size; some not larger than one's finger; and some of all the intermediate sizes—marble, stone, wood, brick, and clay. Some even of marble, are so time-worn though sheltered from change of temperature, that the face and fingers are obliterated. Here and there are models of temples, kyoungs[2], etc., some not larger than half a bushel, and some ten or fifteen feet square, absolutely filled with small idols, heaped promiscuously one on the other. As we followed the path, which wound among the groups of figures and models, every new aspect of the cave presented new multitudes of images[3]."
Another remarkable group exists at Akauktaung, on the edge of the Irrawaddy, at the extreme north of the Henzada district.
