the reports of travellers.

"The country

of the Afghans, as far as Bahlac and Badacshan, abounds with such excavations: some of them are very rude, whilst others are highly finished and ornamented. The most perfect are at a place called Mohi, on the road between Bamiyan and Bahlạc: as they are situated amongst precipices, the Musalmans have never thought of living in them; and some of the paintings, with which they are adorned, yet look fresh. But what never fails to attract the notice of travellers, are two colossal statues, which are seen at a great distance. They are erect, and adhere to the mountain, from which they were cut out. They are in niches, the depth of which is equal to the thickness of the statues. It is said in the Ayeen Akbery, that the largest is, eighty ells high, and the other only fifty. These dimensions are greatly exaggerated; according to the opinion of all the travellers I have seen, the disproportion is not so great, between the two. According to the author of the Pharangh-Jehanghiri

cited by Dr. Hyde,* they are said to be only fifty cubits high; which appears to be the true dimensions. At some distance from these two statues, is another of a smaller size, being about fifteen cubits high. Native and Persian authors, who have mentioned them, agree neither about their sex, nor their names. The few Hindūs, who live in these countries, say, that they represent Bhim and his consort: the followers of Buddha affirm that they are the statues of Sháhámá, and his disciple Sálsálá. The Musalmāns insist, that they are the statues of Key-Umursh and his consort, that is to say, Adam and Eve; and that the third is intended for Seish or Seth, their son; whose tomb, or at least the place where it stood formerly, is shewn near Bahlac. These statues are so much defaced by the effects of time, and the intolerant zeal of the Musulmans, that I believe

* Professor at Oxford.

See his Treatise on the Religion of the ancient Persians, and De Ludis Orien

talibus, &c. &c.

Tra

it is difficult to ascertain their sex. vellers do, however, agree that one of them at least, is a beardless youth: some more particularly insist that the swelling of the breasts is remarkably obvious, and that both look towards the east; so that, when the sun rises, they seem to smile, but look gloomy in the evening. These statues were visited, at least ten or twelve different times, by a famous traveller, called MeyanAsod-Shah, who is a man highly respected, both on account of his descent from Mohammed, and also for his personal character. He informed me lately, that these two statues are in two different niches, and about forty spaces distant from each other. That the drapery is covered with embroidery and figured work; which formerly was painted of different colours, traces of which are still visible. That one certainly represents a female, from the beauty and smoothness of her features, and the swelling of her breasts: the head being so much elevated is secure from injury from those below, and is also protected from the weather by the projec

tion above. The statue of their supposed son is nearly half a mile distant, and about twenty feet high. One of the legs of the male figure is much broken; for the Musulmans never march that way with cannon without firing two or three shots at them; but from their want of skill, they seldoın do much mischief. As to their being hollow, I believe, it is an idle tale: at least the travellers, I have consulted, knew nothing of it. Between the legs of the male figure, is a door leading into a most spacious temple; the size of which, they could not describe otherwise, than by saying, that it could easily hold the camp-equipage and baggage of Zemaun-Shah, and of his whole army. It is remarkable only for its extraordinary dimensions: it is dark and gloomy; and there are a few niches, with the remains of some figures in alto-relievo. At the entrance are stationed wretched Banyans, who sell provision to travellers. The greatest part of the excavations in the district of Bamiyan, are now inhabited by Musalmāns who live promis

a few

cuously with their cattle. I have been informed, that there are no other statues, than the three here mentioned; but, from the numerous fragments, which are seen through the districts, there must have been several hundreds of them. They shew to this day the Samach'h, in which the famous Vyasa composed the Vedas; and others, where divers holy men gave themselves up to meditation, and the contemplation of the Supreme Being.”

..

Bamiyan, though not mentioned by name in Nonnus's Dionysiacs, is well described by him as the abode of the benevolent Brongus, who lived in Samach'hes, or recesses artfully excavated in the mountains. Brongus is obviously the Bhranga, or Bhrangas of the Puranas, called also Sarasa'la, and of whom I shall speak more fully hereafter.-Bamiyan appears also to be the town called Drastoca, by Ptolemy; which is derived from the Sanscrit Drashatca, and implies the stone-city. Its distance and bearing from Cabura, or Orthospana, the present city of Cabul, puts it beyond doubt.