stones. Some of their descendants still live there, carry on the same business, CHAP. XV. Chipurupalle. and keep up relations with their castemen in Benares. The pillars of the Lakshésvara temple here are said to have been found in the river-bed, and one of them bears Uriya inscriptions.
Near the river is a brick and stone octagonal column 20 feet high, surmounted by a small dome, which is called the burrala kóta or 'skull fort.' The story goes that it was made from the skulls of Hindus slain by Musalmans in a battle here. Near by are a number of neglected Muhammadan tombs, and these are said to cover the remains of the slain of the other side.
Shérmuhammadpuram: Four miles west of Chicacole; population 2,582. Is named after Shér Muhammad, Faujdar or Nawáb of Chicacole under the Nizam, and the man who built the Chicacole mosque between 1641 and 1645. Tradition says he erected a summer palace for himself about a mile to the west of this village and brought a channel to it from the Lángulya. The ruins of the building are still to be seen and the ground is called Shér Mahál Tótam. Not far off is a great irrigation tank, which is worth a visit.
The village is the chief place of the proprietary estate of the same name. This is referred to in the account of Anakápalle on p. 221 above.
