villagers to resort to in times of danger. When the Marhatta horsemen, spreading ruin and desolation in their way, came near Tribeni, the people would flee thither for safety and protection.
Rajah Rameswar was an excellent type of an othodox Hindu of olden times. He had deep reverence for all the gods and goddesses of the Hindu pantheon, but the Deity that held possession of his heart in especial was Vishnu, otherwise styled Basudeb. To this paragon of beauty among the gods, he dedicated a splendid temple in 1601 Shak era (1679 A. D.), which as a piece of architecture stands almost unrivalled in Bengal. The building is a striking proof of the wonders of the masonic art. The bricks all over the body of the shrine have been beautifully cut into figures of gods and goddesses, and the carving is really a marvel of the sculptor's art. A basalt slab attached to the terrace of the temple bears the following inscription in the old Bengali character:—
মহীব্যোমাঙ্গ শীতাংসু গণিতে শক বৎসরে[1]।
শ্রীরামেশ্বর দত্তেন নির্ম্মমে বিষনুমন্দিরং॥
There is one thing very peculiar in this inscription. The founder who held a very high position in society makes no parade of his rank but contents himself with the original family designation of Dutt. This simple fact is a striking proof of Rameswar's having been a sincere devotee and not a mere braggart or what is still worse, a hypocrite. Indeed, though one of the greatest and richest men of his time, he knew not what pride was, and had far greater regard for truth and virtue than for titles and riches, thereby verifying the words of the prince of Scottish poets: —
The rank is but the guinea's stamp.
The man is the gawd[2] for all that.
