Manasara Series (I. A Dictionary of Hindu Architecture; II. Indian Architecture according to Manasara-Shilpashastra; III. Manasara on Architecture and Sculpture: Sanskrit Text; IV. Architecture of Manasara: Translation; V. Architecture of Manasara: Illustrations; VI. Hindu Architecture in India and Abroad; VII. An Encyclopaedia of Hindu Architecture) v6.c40.s1.58

v6.c40.s1.58

Mr. R. D. Banerji, the explorer of Mohenjo-daro, ascribed these monuments, on the basis of hoards of square coins found therein, to the Maurya period, and inferred that 'the earliest floor was prior to the third century B. C. and the second prior to the second century B. C.' Sir John Marshall would bring down these monuments by several centuries, saying that, 'the *stūpa* may have been founded by one of the earlier Kushān kings, Kanishka or Huvishka, but in view of the conspicuous absence of any coins belonging to either of these kings in the monastery buildings, it is unlikely that the latter are older than the reign of Vasudeva I (A. D. 185 200).' He would also differ from Mr. Banerji regarding the period of their occupation. The latter put it from 300 B. C. to A. D. 200, while the former would 'vaguely' surmise and 'be on the safe side if, from start to finish, we place their history between A. D. 150 and 500.' Sir John Marshall, however, has no doubt about the seven strata below these Buddhist monuments 'all belonging to the Chalcolithic period,' and would assign the earliest and latest periods between '3250 B. C. to 2750 B. C.'²