‘REPORT ON THE ADMINISTRATION OF THE BOMBAY PRESIDENCY, FOR THE YEAR 1919-20’ [‎321r] (189/192)

CHAPTER VIII.
ARCHEOLOGY.
Archaeological Survey of India, Western Circle.
For details see the Progress Eeport of the Archeological Survey of India, Western Circle,
for the year ending 31 st March 1920 .
1 . The museums of Rajkot, Bhavnagar, Junagad and Bhuj in Kathiawar Work done,
were inspected and notes with suggestions were sent to the respective Darbars.
The excavation of the temple discovered under the fort wall at Sholapur was
commenced. The Director General of Archaeology having deputed the
Archaeological Chemist in India to study the effect of alkaloids on ancient
monuments, a visit was paid to Hyderabad (Sind) and Rohri for the purpose
with that officer. A visit was paid to Khandagiri in Orissa to help in copying
the Hathigumpha Inscription of Kharavela. Part of the touring season was
spent in exploring the antiquities of the Nagood State in Central India and a
portion of the territories of His Highness the Maharaja Holkar. In Nagood
two new temples of the Gupta period were discovered, together with a number
of remains of temples of the same period and a large collection of sculptures
was made. Opportunity was taken to inspect a number of other places in this
State. In Indore the northernmost districts of ancient Malva were thoroughly
explored and numerous ancient monuments were brought to light and visits
were paid to several other places in the State.
2. Halwad in the Dhrangadra State was visited at the request of the maces visited.
Director General of Archaeology and Seriska near Alwar at the request of the
Alwar Darbar A public or private audience held by a high-ranking British colonial representative (e.g. Viceroy, Governor-General, or member of the British royal family). . Repeated visits were paid to Sholapur and Bijapur ; Ahmed-
abad, Dholka, Prantij, Ranpur, Viramgam and Sarkhej in the Ahmedabad
district; Hubli, Dambal, Unkal and Ranebennur in the Dharwar district;
Elepkanta in the Kolaba district; Tatta, Khudabad, Hyderabad and Rohri in
Sind; and the Cambay State were also visited. Visits were paid to Junagad
where a new Kshatrapa inscription had come to light; Shola pur where a temple
of Shiva of the eleventh or twelfth century had been excavated ; Dighi in East
Khandesh; and Bijapur. Visits were paid to Cambay for the survey of
Mahomadan inscriptions, and Tarapur in Cambay State ; Bayana where the
remains of a tenth century temple of Vishnu were found in a masjid ; and a
number of places in Sind. A few days were spent in visiting Banavasi in the
Kanara district. The other places visited by the Superintendent were
Champaner and Pavagad in the Ranch Mahals district; Ahmednagar, Tisgaon,
Pathardi and Chandgaon in the Ahmednagar district; the Pandu Lena Caves
in the Nasik district; Rupbas in the Bharatpur State; and Dabhaura and
Charkhari in Central India. The Assistant Superintendent did not tour as he
was on leave during the greater part of the year.
3. During the year 31 additional monuments were declared to be protected ^ l 1 o 0 ^® c 1 ^ lfcSj
against 36 in the previous year. Agreements were entered hho with the
owners or trustees of three monuments in the Ahmedabad district for their
protection.
4- The Superintendent contributed articles on “ Kshatrapa Inscriptions
in the Rajkot Museum (in joint editorship with his Assistant) and on Andnan
Inscriptions of Rudradaman ” to the Epigraphia Indica ; on A Seal ot
Bhaskaravarman of Pragjyotisha ” found at Nalanda and A Note on e
Statues of Saisunaka Emperors ” in the Calcutta Museum to the Journal ot
the Bihar and Orissa Research Society. Before proceeding on leave tlie
Assistant Superintendent contributed an article on the Maluha ongi
Inscription of the Vakataka King Prithivishena ” to the Epigraphia Indica,
5. During the year under review Rs. 1,34,688 were spent on conservation i
work as against Rs. 36,548 in the previous year. Out of this sum
were spent on special repairs. The cost of the upkeep of the Superintendent
othce decreased from Rs. 33,685 to Rs. 27,462.