Report of a Tour through the Bengal Provinces/Hilsá
HILSÁ.
Hilsá is a considerable village on the banks of the Kathar, or principal branch of the Lilâjan or Phalgu river. It is at the point where the old road from Gya to Fatuhá and the roads from Râjgir to Patna cross the river, and it must naturally have early risen to importance. The principal object of interest here is the masjid. This is avowedly built on the site of a Hindu temple, and under the great flooring slabs in the centre of the central arch is buried, so says tradition, the mighty Hilsa Deo, sealed down with the sacred seal of a local saint. Hilsá Deo was a powerful magician, and was overcome with difficulty. It is possible that the principal statue of the temple is buried here to be "trodden daily under foot by the faithful," but of course it is quite out of the question to try and ascertain this by actual excavation. There are a few statues in various parts of the city, but nothing else of any importance or interest.