MOOTTEE JHURNA (Cave at)
25.166700,87.666700
Description
An unidentified »cave«(perhaps a natural bridge / arch or tunnel cave) washed by a waterfall, which »has been generally called the crater of a volcano« (note 1) intended Colonel William Francklin (note 2) to visit: »The Moottee Jhurna, a cataract in the Bhaugulpore district [note 3], situated about eight miles [13 km] inland from the Ganges. It consists of two falls, which, taken together, measure 105 feet [31.7 n] perpendicular height. The water, after falling over vast masses of rocks, is received in a basin below [stilling basin; in German: Tosbecken]. At the bottom of the lower fall is a cave, from within which the water may be seen forming an arch outside. It has been generally called the crater of a volcano. This question we hope to see decided on the Colonel’s return.« SITUATION: At an unknown location. Franklin's »Moottee Jhurna … about eight miles [13 km] inland from the Ganges« is not identified unless it corresponds to the village indicated as »Matijharna« near N25°12': E87°45' on AMS sheet NG45-11 Kathihar (U502 series, 1961 edition), which, however, lies only about one or two kilometres »inland« from the orographically right (south-west) bank of the Ganges but at the north-eastern foot of Rajmahal hills, which rise here at distances ranging from 3 km to 20 km and more from the Ganges to heights of 1046 feet (319 m) and 987 feet (302 m asl) from the alluvial plains about 32 m asl (105 feet).
NOTE 1: NOT SEEN: BALL (1877), BUCHANAN (1810-1811 published 1939), FRANCKLIN, [Major] William (1910). NOTE 2: FRANCKLIN (1821b) in the Asiatic Journal, vol. 12, no. 68, August 1821: 143 based on FRANCKLIN (1821a) in the Calcutta Government Gazette of 1821 January 18. NOTE 3: »Bhaugulpore« (FRANCKLIN 1821b) or »Bohogolpore« (AHOMET 1784.8) is indicated as Bhagalpur near N25°15': E087°00' (nima.mil/geonames accessed 16.11.2003) on AMS sheet NG45-10 Bhagalpur (U502 series, 1955 edition), AMS sheet NG45-11 Kathihar (U502 series, 1961 edition) and in the India Road Atlas (Eicher Goodearth 2006: 43 E5).
Documents
Bibliography 27/04/2016- Ball, Valentine 1877; Buchanan, Francis 1939; Francklin, William 1821a, 1821b, 1910.
Caves nearby
| Distance (km) | Name | Length (m) | Depth (m) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 19.2 | MANIHARI PERFORATED MASS | ||
| 217.4 | DARJEELING, Observatory Hill top (Cave at) | ||
| 217.4 | DARJEELING, Observatory Hill: west side (Cave at) | ||
| 220.1 | KENDRAKONA UNDERGROUND BUNKERS | ||
| 229.9 | RAMMAN NATURAL BRIDGE | ||
| 237.7 | BE PHUG 2 | ||
| 237.7 | BE PHUG 3 | ||
| 237.7 | DAJONG mine | ||
| 240.2 | KAHDO SANG PHUG |