ployed in the construction of the palaces and other edifices could not disappear so entirely as to leave no trace; for even if used up in modern buildings, we should see more stone in the buildings than can now be seen; a few wrecks, however, exist in the shape of detached blocks, used as sills or steps; two very fine moulded cornice stones of beautifully smooth, polished black basalt, exactly similar to the stone used in the pillars near Lakhisarai (to be described further on), are built into a couple of mean-looking houses in the narrow lane leading to the holy temple of Patain Devi; a few fragments also lie at the door of Patain Dcvi’s temple, now quite worn and mutilated; but on the river face, near the north-east end of Patna, are numerous boulders of stone lying scattered on the banks, and built into the river revetments, showing that on this side, probably, was the old city, with its stone edifices: besides these, no other traces of old Pâṭaliputra exist in modern Patna.
The modern city of Patna dates only to the time of Shir Shah. I quote from Elliot’s History of India, Volume IV, page 477—
"Shir Shah on his return from Bengal (in 948 A. H.=1541 A. D.) came to Patna, then a small town, dependent on Bihar, which was the seat of the local Government. He was standing on the bank of the Ganges when, after much solid reflection and sage determination, he said to those who were standing by . 'If a fort were built in this place the waters of the Ganges could never flow far from it, and Patna would become one of the great towns of this country; because this place is situated to the west on the banks of the Ganges which flows from the north. The strength of the stream is broken, and it cannot advance towards the north.' He therefore ordered skilful carpenters and brick-layers to make out immediately an estimate for building a fort where he then stood. These experienced workmen submitted an estimate of five lacs, which on the spur of the moment was made over to trustworthy persons. The fort was completed and was considered to be exceedingly strong. Bihar from that time was deserted and fell to ruin, while Patna became one of the largest cities of the province."
Popular tradition confirms this account, and at the present day a masjid in Patna of plain massive construction is pointed out as the masjid built by Shir Shah; it has an inscription. The name of Shir Shah is said to be written in the interior at the neck of the great central dome. There is certainly an inscription there, but so concealed with repeated coats of whitewash as to be hardly legible; from the style of the building I am of opinion that the masjid does date to Shir Shah.
In plan, this masjid is a square of 63 feet internally, within which is a second square marked by pillars with a
