The Antiquities of Orissa v2.c16.s2.29.3

v2.c16.s2.29.3

“Should this interpretation of the first line be admitted, though we shall be disappointed in finding the true mundane origin of these singular monuments, we shall nevertheless have abundant reason to admire the antiquity of the Indian mythos, when we thus find in a monument undoubtedly prior by some centuries to the Christian era the selfsame story which is now repeated by the faqirs, who shew visitors over the similar stupendous relics of ancient grandeur on the west of India. In this point of view above the restoration of the Khaṇḍgiri inscription, thanks to Mr. Kittoe, must be set down as a grand point gained to confute the arguments of the modernists, as they may be called, who would bring every thing Indian within the space of ten or twelve centuries. Thus we find Sir C. Malet wavering between the following accounts of Ellora derived from opposite sources:— "The Mahomedan says, 'the town of Ellora was built by Rājā Eel, who also excavated the temples, and being pleased with them, formed the fortress of Deogiri (Daulatābād) which is a curious compound of excavation, scarping and building, by which the mountain was converted into a fort resembling, as some say, the insulated temple in the area of the Indra Subhā.