Matrix of Tope in centre of Tope, at Hada, near Jellalabad

The image portrays a rectangular stone platform topped with a rounded summit, accessed by steps on each side. Hand‑written annotations indicate dimensions—approximately four feet in height and nine feet across—suggesting Simpson’s intent to convey the structure’s scale and functional layout.

Rendered with pen and light pencil, the drawing employs quick hatching to suggest depth and contour. The lines are concise, emphasizing the building’s geometric form rather than decorative detail, a common approach in 19th‑century field sketches intended for precise recording.

Created during Simpson’s travels in Afghanistan, the sketch was part of a broader effort to document archaeological sites in the region. The work now resides in a public collection, reflecting its value as a historical record of a site that may no longer be extant.

The Tope at Hada is an ancient mound or platform typical of Central Asian architecture, often associated with Buddhist or pre‑Islamic religious practices. Simpson’s drawing contributes to the limited visual evidence of such structures, which were frequently surveyed by colonial-era explorers.