The Antiquities of Orissa v1.c7.308

v1.c7.308

¹¹ Mr. Fergusson is of opinion that the pillars were originally erected in front of temples, or topes, but the Tirhut pillars, which are still in *situ*, have no mound or ruin of any kind in their close proximity to bear out this supposition. It is, however, possible that temples once existed in their neighbourhood, which have been since completely removed by the Hindus, or the Muhammadans; but the monumental character of the pillars is not thereby affected in the least.