Indian Architecture (Buddhist and Hindu Periods) c15.22

c15.22

To form their immense mass, as well as to provide an adequate support for the marble and concrete casing of the exterior, the foundations and body of the stupa were constructed of brick, which, in the earlier examples as at Bhattiprolu and Gudivada were built solid. Later, other expedients were adopted to secure strength and at the same time economy of material, the core of that at Jaggayyapeta having masonry floors stretching across the interior at stages in the height, while that at Ghantasala, perhaps the most scientifically constructed of all, consisted of cross-walls forming compartments in the centre, with other walls radiating towards the circumference like the spokes of a wheel. As usual in all this early brickwork the bricks themselves, some of which appear to have been kiln-burnt, were of great size, not infrequently measuring as much as 24 ins. × 18 ins. × 4 ins. From the proportions of this brick core and the remains of the outer covering, some idea of the dimensions and the general appearance of these southern stupas may be obtained. As to shape and height, that at Bhattiprolu, which was probably one of the first to be built, the low hemispherical mound similar to the large stupa at Sanchi was followed, but in subsequent examples the dome was raised by the base being stilted, to comply with the natural demand for something loftier and of more commanding aspect. In the marble casing, the southern builders had a much more chaste material to deal with than the sandstone covering of the northern type, but in none was marble applied all over the surface of the brick core, only the lower portions were so embellished the remainder being of moulded plaster painted white. Even the upper part of the dome at Amaravati, the most sumptuous of all these stupas, was finished off in the same manner. One of the characteristic features of this class of stupa, and one which was a notable endeavour to enrich considerably their architectural appearance, was the addition, in each example, of a pronounced structural offset to the base of the dome at the four cardinal points. This took the form of a rectangular projection, in the interior of which was accommodated the staircase leading to the upper processional path, as may be seen in one of the stupas in Ceylon, that at Ruwanwaeli (c. 160 B C.). (Plate CL.) Outside and below, this offset was elaborated into a recessed shrine, or altar-piece while above it ended on a level with the upper terrace, to which it formed an extension or platform to provide a base for a row of five slender pillars or stelae. These *aryaka*, or "worshipful columns", free-standing and completely detached, may have symbolised the five Dhyana Buddhas, a reflection as it were, of certain ethereal embodiments dwelling in the skies. As an ornamental attribution to the domical shape of the stupa, this projection, with its graceful pillars, was an admirable device, and gives an unusually artistic distinction to the southern type.