Indian Art: A History of Indian Art from the Earliest Times up to the Third Century A.D. c15.s2.t5.2

c15.s2.t5.2

Oriented along the cardinal points, the stadium, consisted of a central arena, 309' long, 259' wide and 15' deep, enclosed on all four sides by flights of steps with 2' wide treads and having a pavilion on the west, the all constructed of burnt bricks. In continuation of the topmost steps, there was a platform all round, the width of which as noted on the southern side, was 11'. On this side six staircases, placed at regular intervals, each measuring 6' in width, connected the arena with the platform. They were strengthened by wooden or stone nosings, for the fitting of which slits were provided on side in the structure. Both treads and risers of the staircases were smaller than those of the steps that ran around the stadium, indicating that while the former served as passages the latter were evidently meant for sitting. The pavilion, at the middle of the western side, showed three distinct phases. Square or oblong holes in the floors of the first and second phases suggested the use of pillars for holding the roof, of which tiles and finials were found all over the area. The dimensions of the pavilions of the three phases, beginning from the earliest, were respectively 48' x 39', 69' x 33' and 50' x 44'. Associated with the latest pavilion was an enclosure-wall, with an entrance on the west. The debris of the structures of the third phase was covered with a 9' thick layer of dark silt, which was disturbed and finally sealed by a 10' to 12' thick deposit of sand. A 2' wide drain passing through the northern wall of the stadium, cleared out the rain-water from the arena.¹