DOI Page / Citation link:
https://doi.org/10.11588/diglit.614#0160
BENARES, PAST AND PKESENT. 121
made and -worshipped by the savages of the Fiji Islands
in the South Seas. In another place, in a corner of
this alley, are two Satis, that is to say, two figures
of women, in bass-relief, placed upon a square pedestal,
in commemoration of the cremation of widows on the
funeral pile of their husbands at this spot. In addition
to the Satis, there are two other objects of interest
placed upon the pedestal. One is a bass-relief sculpture
of a small figure, much worn by time. The other
presents, in a small compass, most elaborate chiselling;
the design illustrated being of a complicated character.
There is a central figure, in an erect posture, but head-
less ; and, in the back-ground, a nimbus surrounds the
space formerly occupied by the head. Ou either side
are several other figures, but of smaller stature, and
also a column, with a capital, on the summit of which
is a diminutive statue of a man. Between the columns,
but raised above them, in a line with the central object
beneath, is, likewise, another small statue of a man.
Altogether, this delicate piece of statuary exhibits ten
human figures, besides various other objects, all which
are defined with considerable nicety. It is not easy to
comprehend the general design which the sculptor had
before his mind, or to furnish a satisfactory account of
this work of art. It is, certainly, far superior to modern
productions of Hindu art; and I suspect it is not,
properly, of Hindu origin at all.
The towers of two temples are seen rising high
above the Satis; and in the adjoining enclosure
stands the temple of Bara Ganes. The quadrangle
is open to the sky; but it has a covered verandah,
made and -worshipped by the savages of the Fiji Islands
in the South Seas. In another place, in a corner of
this alley, are two Satis, that is to say, two figures
of women, in bass-relief, placed upon a square pedestal,
in commemoration of the cremation of widows on the
funeral pile of their husbands at this spot. In addition
to the Satis, there are two other objects of interest
placed upon the pedestal. One is a bass-relief sculpture
of a small figure, much worn by time. The other
presents, in a small compass, most elaborate chiselling;
the design illustrated being of a complicated character.
There is a central figure, in an erect posture, but head-
less ; and, in the back-ground, a nimbus surrounds the
space formerly occupied by the head. Ou either side
are several other figures, but of smaller stature, and
also a column, with a capital, on the summit of which
is a diminutive statue of a man. Between the columns,
but raised above them, in a line with the central object
beneath, is, likewise, another small statue of a man.
Altogether, this delicate piece of statuary exhibits ten
human figures, besides various other objects, all which
are defined with considerable nicety. It is not easy to
comprehend the general design which the sculptor had
before his mind, or to furnish a satisfactory account of
this work of art. It is, certainly, far superior to modern
productions of Hindu art; and I suspect it is not,
properly, of Hindu origin at all.
The towers of two temples are seen rising high
above the Satis; and in the adjoining enclosure
stands the temple of Bara Ganes. The quadrangle
is open to the sky; but it has a covered verandah,