Indian Art: A History of Indian Art from the Earliest Times up to the Third Century A.D. c12.s3.8

c12.s3.8

THE GREAT STŪPA : The original brick Stūpa built by Aśoka was retained in tact and encased later by a large stone envelope (*śilā-āchchhadana*) during the Śuṅga period. The new structure was about twice the original Mauryan Stūpa covering an area 120' in diameter, with a total height of 54' which is the height at present. Around the original Stūpa was at first added a rubble of stone and bricks until the whole was provided with a casing of roughly dressed stones (*śileṣṭaka*) laid in even courses but without any binding cement. This offers the first instance of true stone masonry used for constructional purposes in any old Indian building. The stone facing was finished with a coat of concrete 4" thick having a fine plaster over it which is still preserved in many places. Possibly the plastered surface was finished with colours and gilding.