Report of a Tour through the Bengal Provinces/Hugli

by Joseph David Freedone Melik Beglar

HUGLI.

The remains at Hugli, Hindu and Muhammadan, have been noticed by various writers, but I especially refer to Messrs. Blochmann and Money's papers in the Journal of the Asiatic Society. I need only add to Mr. Money's paper that the temple from the ruins of which the dargah has been built must have been of the style of the beautiful and profusely sculptured temples at Janjgir, which are ornamented internally throughout with scenes from the Ramayana and others. The descriptive labels which still exist in the dargah, as noticed by him, could have been engraved only because the scenes were actually sculptured on the walls and needed the labels to be readily understood.—See my report for season 1873–74.

I visited Jonpur, but as I have nothing to add to the excellent accounts already extant about it, it is needless for me to say anything. Measurements, &c., were made, and the more interesting of such as have not already been published will be found in the plates. I especially recommend to attention the unrivalled profile of the grand corner towers at the back corners of the Jamai Majid. It is strange the great Historian of Architecture does not notice them at all; for massive, yet elegant, simplicity and boldness they have no rivals in any building I have yet seen.

I examined also several temples near Mirzapur; among them, the famous one of Vindhyavâsini Devi at Bindhâchal. The building as it stands is modern, but built of old materials; the pillars are quite plain, and the building altogether of no interest. I am told the figure inside is inscribed, but I was naturally not allowed to examine it. There is, however, nothing of special interest about the temple. The legend about it is to be found in the Native Mahâtmyas and also in the Mahâbhârat, and do not need reproduction here. Tradition says the head of Vindhya lying prostrate in worship of the goddess is near Bindhâchal, while his feet are at Chunâr and Rájmahál, respectively. A different version of the story, which places one foot at Gáyá, is given in the Journal, Asiatic Society, "Account of a tour from Mirzapur to Nâgpur." The name Vindhya has at various times and by various old writers been ascribed to the various ranges from Amarkantak to the Ganges,—see notes, Wilson’s Vishnu Purana (edition FitzEdward Hall); but the fact of the temple of Vindhyavâsini being at the foot of the northernmost range seems clearly to establish that the name properly applies to the northernmost of the ranges running from Rájmahál in the east to Kathiâwad on the west.

I also examined the temples at Márá near Bairâtganj on the strength of information from a pilgrim; but though I heard of none of interest, nor saw any at the place, I believe careful search would reveal the existence of some old temples. The temples at Bijayapur are of no interest.

I also visited Chitrkot, but the North-Western Provinces Gazetteer, Vol. I, edited by Mr. Atkinson, gives full information of the temples there; and as they are neither old nor of any interest, I refrain from needlessly lengthening my report. The Gazetteer omits to note the tiraths of Hanumân and Lachhmân, &c., the first being on a high hill three miles south-east from Chitrkot.

J. D. B.