1 4P, Von Hugel,
2 il. 453.
3 5 Vigne, i. 386.
4 * i, 986.
5 2 Voyage, v. 247.
6 42 MATAN.
7 minable from an optical illusion frequently occurring from the state
8 of the atmosphere in the valley. This table-land is elevated from
9 250 to 300 feet above the great alluvial plain of Kashmir.? On
10 a slight eminence at its western extremity, are situated the ruins
11 of a very ancient building, which excites in all spectators, feel-
12 ings of admiration approaching to awe, by the elaborate skill dis-
13 played in its construction, and the simple, massive, and sublime
14 character of its architecture. It is built of huge blocks of hard
15 compact limestone, the black colour of which adds to its gloomy
16 grandeur. The blocks* are generally from six to nine feet in length,
17 having proportionate breadth and thickness.’ This extraordinary
18 monument of early civilization consists of an outer colonnade, in-
19 closing an area in which stands the principal building detached.
20 The shape of this inclosure is rectangular; the length being two
21 hundred and forty-four feet, the breadth a hundred and fifty.+
22 The longer sides face north and south. Within each of the four
23 sides a row of pillars is carried along the entire extent of the build-
24 ing. Each pillar has a shaft seven feet long and a foot and a half
25 in diameter: a pedestal two feet and a half high ; a capital four feet
26 high: the whole height of the inclosing peristyle is about fifteen
27 feet. The pillars, which are fluted, are six feet and a half distant
28 from each other, and a foot and a quarter from the wall. In each
29 interval between the pillars is an entrance seven feet high and four
30 feet wide, into a small chamber or recess six feet deep from front to
31 back, and constructed in the body of the wall, which, exclusive of
32 the chambers, is six feet thick. Stone blocks of regular dimen-
33 sions, eight feet long and two feet wide, form the roof of all. The
34 workmanship throughout is excellent, and in an elaborate yet
35 chaste style. There are four great gateways; one in the middle
36 of each side, and facing the four cardinal points; those facing
37 east and west being much finer than the others. Within the in-
38 closure made by this peristyle, and equidistant from the side walls,
39 but much nearer the eastern than the western end, is a mag-
40 * Vigne! states that these stones are cemented ‘‘ with an excellent mortar.’’
41 Jacquemont,? on the contrary,—‘‘ Il est construit dans toute son étendue de
42 tranches posées successivement les unes au-dessus des autres sans ciment.’’
43 The general charucter of architecture of this description renders the statement
44 of Jacquemont more probable, but ‘‘ non nostrum tantas componere lites.’
45 + These dimensions are taken from the plan given by Jacquemont,
46 Pl. 66.