'History of the Indian Navy. (1613-1863).' [‎520] (539/622)

520
HISTORY OF THE INDIAN NAVT.
passed close to the 28th camp, but that corps could do nothing
towards intercepting them, owing to the darkness."*
# The great feature in Dwarka is tlie temple of Krishna, or Dwarkanath, " the
Lord of Dwarka/' built on an eminence 168 feet above the sea level, and surrounded
by a fortified wall (which likewise encircles the town), from which it is, however,
separated by a lofty partition wall, through which it is necessary to pass to see it
to advantage. It is described as consisting of three parts—the Munduff, or Hall of
Congregation; the Devachna, or penetralia (also termed Gabarra) ; and the
Sikra or Spire. The Munduff is square, measuring 21 feet internally, and five
distinct storeys high; each storey is colonnaded, the lower being 20 feet in height,
and of the same square form to the last,, where the architraves are laid trans
versely to form a base for the surmounting dome, whose apex is 75 feet from the
pavement. Four massive pillars on each face of the square, form the foundation
of this enormous weight; but these being inadequate to sustain it, intermediate
pillars to each pair have been added, to the sacrifice of all symmetry. A colon
naded piazza surrounds the lowest storey, of about 10 feet in breadth, from
which to the north, south, and west, portions are projected, likewise colonnaded.
Each storey of the Munduff has an internal gallery, with a parapet 3 feet in
height, to prevent the incautious from falling. These parapets, divided into com
partments, had been richly sculptured. The Sikra or Spire, constructed in the
most ancient style, consists of a series of pyramids, each representing a miniature
temple, and each diminishing with the contracting spire, which terminates at
140 feet from the ground. There are several distinct storeys before this
pyramidal spire greatly diminishes in diameter. Each face of each storey is orna
mented with open porches surmounted by a pediment supported by small
columns. Each of these storeys internally consists of column placed upon
column, whose enormous architraves increase in bulk in the decreasing ratio of
the super-imposed mass; and although the majority at the summit are actually
broken by their own weight, yet they are retained in their position by the
aggregate unity. The entire fabric whose internal dimensions are 78 feet by
76 feet, is built from the rock, which is of sandstone of various degrees of texture.
It has a greenish hue, either from its native bed, or from imbibing the saline
atmosphere, which, when a strong light shines upon it, gives the mass a vitreous
transparent lustre. Joined by a colonnade to this temple is a smaller one,
dedicated to Deoki, the mother of Krishna ; and at the opposite angle bf the
great temple is another, still, smaller, dedicated to Krishna under his title of
Madhu "Rae, or the " Prince the Intoxicator." The Groomtee, a small rivulet
which flows by the group, is considered especially sacred, but it is so shallow that
it does not reach the ancle. The site of the temple was once insulated, but the
sea having thrown up a sandbank across the channel, this sacred spot is now
connected with the mainland. About ten miles from Diu Head is Muldwarka, or
ancient Dwarka, where Krishna met his death, and where, according to tradition,
stood the ancient temple, which was swept away by the sea.
Considerable excitement prevailed at Bombav among the Hindoos on a
report that the great Hindoo temple of Dwarka had been desecrated and
despoiled by the British forces, but this w r as denied by Colonel Donovan,
who w^rote to the following effect to Lord Elphinstone, explaining w 7 hat took place
after the capture of the fort. Referring to a plan of the fortress which accom
panied his letter, showing its strong casemated, loop-holed arrangements, with the
relative position of its temple, Colonel Donovan observed that the fort defences
could not have been destroyed without serious injury to the temples. Seeing
that this was unavoidable, that officer took prompt measures for the preservation
of idols, the gold and silver ornaments, and other valuables belonging to the
temples. The idols he had at once made over to the priests ; but as he could
not determine who were the proper parties to receive the jewellery and valuables,
he had them conveyed on board the 'Eerooz' for better security. These pre
cautions were all the more necessary, as the European soldiery, who could alone
have prevented the excesses of the natives of Bevt and camp followers, which
would assuredly have attended the destruction of the fort, had been sent back to
the shipping to avoid exposing them to a similar temptation. Some orna
ments of trifling value. Colonel Donovan stated, were appropriated by the men