Page:The Indian Antiquary, Vol. 4-1875.djvu/266

August, 1875.] BOOK NOTICES. 253 "It might be expected chat a Jaina collection like the Jesillmir Brihajjñäkoslia (great store-house of learning) would be composed entirely of religious books of the sect to which it belongs. But that is byno means the case. Fully one-third of the MSS. contain Brahmamcai or profane works by Jaina authors.'

"Dr. Bidder has made arrangements to obtain copies of all the important new works found in this library. He thinks also that careful collations of all the old Brâhrmaṇicál MSS. should be made, as the present editions are based on much later and less trustworthy MSS. The total number of MSS. copied or purchased in Râjputâna is upwards of two hundred. Besides, thirty MSS. have been acquired in Gujarât; several of these have been lent to Ṡanskṛitists iu India and in Europe; and Dr. Bühler has an edition of the Vikramânkakâvya in the press."

In the Educational part of the report it is to be noticed that the Superintendent of the School of Art states that "the Ajaṇṭâ Expedition and Mr. Burgess's explorations have affected Ins returns by drawing off some of his best pupils." As they could hardly be better employed, we will not lament over the falling off in the returns, and it is pleasant to observe that Mr. Griffiths considers "the art-experience gained" to have been "of great practical value to the students who have been employed in copying and restoring" the Ajaṇṭa paintings, although we regret to observe that several of the students employed in the expedition have since Buffered from fever,—which illustrates the dangers and difficulties under which researches of the sort are carried out, and which, perhaps, are not always Fully appreciated by those who have not undergone them.

"All the paintings brought from Ajaṇṭa in the preceding were photographed, and the origi- nals, after exhibition at the Town Hull and Vic- tria Museum, were sent home to the Indian Museum. The Government of India have now sanctioned a repetition of the expedition at a cost of Rs. 5,000 yearly until the work is finished; and since the close of the year under report Mr. Griffiths been sent to England to study the latest processes for the restoration of the paintings and to make inquiries as to the possibility of removing these paintings which are already partly detached, or which could be easily detached."

"Archeology.—During the past year a regular survey of bond and other archaeological remains in the Bombay Presidency was commenced by Mr. Burgess. This survey originated in the despatch of His Grace the Duke of Argyll, No. 173. of 11th October 1871, in which it was proposed that arrangements should be made by this Government to carry into effect certain suggestions which had bean made for the production of a complete work on the Rock-Cut Temples of Western India.

"A detailed scheme was accordingly drawn out by the Honourable Mr. Gibbs, was fully concurred in by His Excellency in Council, and recommend- ed to the Government of India in this Govern- ment's letter No. ⁠2599/106-6⁠, dated 24th July 1678. This contemplated the employment of Mr Burgess on this special duty for about three years, during which time he was to spend six mouths of the dry weather in the field, and six months at home elaborating the notes he had made during his tour, preparing the plans and drawings, and printing the photographs. The Government of India had 568 set apart Rs. 13,000 for this work in the Bombay Presidency, and this sum was notexceeded in the scheme proposed. But it was pointed out that with more liberal allowance for establishment the held work would be carried on much more rapidly, and in the end the work would be proportionately cheaper. It was also proposed that the operations should extend over Haidarâbâd, the Berârs and Central Provinces, in addition to the Bombay Presidency, and that whilst the main object of the survey would be the caves and other Buddhist remains scattered over this extensive area, careful surveys of some at least of the most interesting Brâhmaṇical and Jaina remains should be included.

"The scheme was sanctioned by the Government of India on the understanding that the expense should not exceed the authorized grant of Rs. 13,000, and on the condition that the operations should rioted to the Bombay Presidency." The latter limitation, however, excluded the Ajṇṭa, Elorâ, and other groups of caves just outside tho Bombay Presidency, and thus rendered impossible the pi of a complete work on the rock-out temples of Western India. This has been rem .and Haidarâbâd and the Central Provinces! have now been added to Bombay and Berâr as the field to be surveyed.

"Mr. Burgess did not take charge of the of Archaeological Surveyor and Reporter till the 15th January 1871, and his actual work in the field did not begin till the 2nd February. He concluded it on the 16th April, as, owing to a thunder-storm. he apprehended his materials might be injured by rain. His first season was thus a ferry abort one, and in addition he had other difficulties to contend against. He states that the means at his disposal were too limited for the organization of a proper staff, and that the allowance for photography in particular was manifestly inadequate."

"On the whole, however, it appears that a good