'Transactions of the Bombay Geographical Society, from January 1847 to May 1849. Edited by the Secretary. Volume VIII.' [‎310] (419/496)

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fore, that the vain and ambitious prince derived as much gratification
from this paltry design as he would have done had it been executed by
the hand of either a Phidias or a Praxiteles.
A few paces to the right of the Tak a smaller arch contains full length
figures of the two Shapurs : they are more rudely executed than the
sculptures of Khusru Parviz. A Pehlevi inscription is attached to each.
Still further to the right are three colossal forms in demi-relievo, repre
senting Ardeshir Bebagan delivering over the Sceptre of Empire to his
son, the left hand figure of the group personating the Deity Ormazd,
who is winged, and has his head surrounded by a glory. These figures
are beautifully executed, and great pains appear to have been bestowed
on the waving fillets that bind the head and reach to the knees. These
comprise the whole of the sculptures in the immediate neighbourhood
of Kirmanshah. Eor ingenuity of design, for skill in execution, and for
labor in accomplishment, the Tak-i-Bostan antiquities may vie, I think,
with any work of art in Persia.
A clear and sparkling spring gushes out from the hill at the foot of the
sculptures, and, joined by others, forms a brawling rivulet of sufficient
force to turn three or four mills which are erected in a contiguous
hamlet. The spreading willow and stately poplar, lining its banks, also
lend their beauties to the interesting locality. Irrigating that portion
of the Kirmanshah plain laying between the Parrow range and the
Kara-Su, the clear waters of the brook finally join with the latter in the
neighbourhood of the Puli-Shah.* From the sculptures the city of
Kirmanshah bears S. 38° W., distant six miles; and at half a mile,
separated from them, on the road to the city, the site of a large quad
rangular building is passed over. The aligned walls of this edifice are
still traceable in a succession of low mounds, and their great extent
would mark them as the remains of some stately palace. The longest
sides face the north and south points, and may be about 800 yards long,
with a breadth between them of 600 yards. A high tappeh or tumulus
stands at its S. W. angle, probably formed by the accumulation of drift
on the debris of some lofty tower which formerly occupied that part of
the building. It bears at present the title of Shehri-Khusru,t kut I
* Tins name, according to Tavernier, was given to tlie Bridge over the
Su, on the high road from Kirmanshah to Hamadan. It signifies u Bridge oi 1
King,” but is now more generally known as the Puli Kara-Su.
t City of Khusru,