Architraver ~From I. (voir je. XXV)

To the

manner, still practised in India. In the back ground two male figures, and one female figure with a round cap similar to those worn by the Kashmiri women of the present day. right numerous figures, all standing. Two in the foreground with hands joined in adoration appear to be the Raja and his ministers. They are naked to the waist; but are literally covered with necklaces, armlets, and bracelets.* Worship of Topes.-Upper.-Three Topes, the middle one bearing the inscription No. 190, with the name of SRI SATAKARNI. On each of the bosses of this architrave, immediately over the pillars, are two men riding oxen. The oxen are regularly caparisoned for riding. The nosestring is passed through the nostrils, and twisted together to avoid the eyes; the ends are then passed outside the horns, where they are secured from slipping by a head-band. Of the figures on the right boss, one carries a lotus, and the other a relic-box. Those of the left boss both carry trays containing some indescribable object. Between this boss and the end volute a led horse is represented passing through a temple gateway of two architraves. The horse is attended by two figures, one carrying a chaori, and the other a vessel exactly resembling a tea-pot.

II. Worship of Tope.-Middle.-A Tope with in

See Plate XII. of this volume.

scription in two lines (No. 191). Kinnaras with garlands. King in a chariot with driver and chaori-bearer, attended by elephant riders.

III. A siege and Relic Procession. - Lower.-A part of this interesting scene has been made known by James Prinsep; but the architrave is broken, and the portion to the right of the boss, which has not been published, seems to complete the story, although it forms a different compartment. The scene in the middle of the architrave represents a besieged city. The battlements, the city gate, and the upper stories of the houses, are filled with defenders, who are shooting arrows and hurling stones upon the assailants below. The attack is carried on with arrows only; but as several of the besiegers are covered with long shields, they were no doubt furnished with swords. One horseman and several elephant riders appear on the left, with two standard-bearers.

To the right of the boss, the king appears in his chariot, attending an elephant, which bears a relic-box on its head, covered by the honorary chatta.

The siege represented in this scene was probably undertaken for the purpose of gaining possession of some holy relic, which the king is carrying off to the right. The dresses of the soldiers are remarkable,

*Prinsép's Journal, vol. vi., Pl. XXIX.

and the mode of fastening the quiver to the back is very peculiar and picturesque. The quiver is fastened to the right shoulder, and the fastenings, which are apparently leather straps, are passed over both shoulders, crossed in front, and carried to the back, where they were probably passed through a ring in the end of the quiver, and then carried to the front and again crossed, the ends being secured by loops to the upper straps.* The only apparent clothing is a kilt; but there was no doubt a tight fitting jacket of some kind to cover the body. The whole costume has a striking resemblance to that of the Highlanders of Scotland.

The swords throughout the Sánchi sculptures are all short and broad. A specimen, hanging by one of the porter's sides, is given in Plate XXXIII., fig. 2. It agrees exactly with the description of Megasthenes†"All wear swords of a vast breadth, though scarce exceeding three cubits in length. When they engage in close fight, they grasp these with both their hands that the blow may be stronger."

The whole account of Megasthenes, although three hundred years earlier in date than the Sánchi basreliefs, is still partially applicable, and may be quoted as much to show the changes which had taken place in that period as to illustrate the military equipments

*This description recalls the words of the Psalmist regarding the children of Ephraim, who, being harnessed, and carrying bows, turned themselves back in the day of battle.-Ps. lxxviii. 10. + Arrian, Indica xvi.