Lists of the Antiquarian Remains in the Presidency of Madras (Volume 1) (Paperback)

This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1882. Excerpt: ... THE KISTNA, OR KRISHNA, DISTRICT. Head-quarters, MasuUpatam.) This is one of the most interesting districts of the Presidency. Lying on both sides of the sacred Krishna river it has always been a favorite resort for the most ardent devotees of religion from the earliest ages, while its fertilizing properties have ensured the presence of a larger agricultural population than that of many other more barren tracts. We consequently find here a remarkable wealth of antiquarian relics of all classes and ages. The upland tracts of the district abound in rude stone monuments, which, for present purposes, may be taken to be the most ancient of any, though the most advanced archaeologists are inclined to doubt the great age of at least some of these remains. Mr. Boswell in his report to Government on antiquities, printed with G.O. of 14th December 1871, states that in the cairns and other such monuments in this district nothing has yet been found save rude pottery and bone vessels and ornaments, showing a state of civilization less developed than that of many of the cairn-builders of the south, where metal weapons and utensils are frequently discovered. Amongst the Buddhists the arts seem to have arrived at a pitch of perfection which has never been surpassed, if equalled, in subsequent years. Relics of those days are numerous, and include the most exquisitely sculptured shrine in India, the Amaravati tope. The ruins of other topes and of Buddhist towns and villages are frequently met with. This period--which is also the first known historical period, the epoch of the Buddhist Salankayana dynasty of Vengi--came to an end about the commencement of the seventh century, when the Chalukyas from Kalyana in the west obtained possession of the country. Being worshippers o...