Indian Architecture (Buddhist and Hindu Periods) c15.25

c15.25

¹ Dr F. H. Gravely, late of the Madras Government Museum, remarks as follows with regard to the reconstruction of the Amaravati Stupa as illustrated on Plate XXXV. "In his book Amaravati Sculptures in the Madras Government Museum Dr. C. Sivaramamurti confirms (pp. 25-26) Jouveau-Dubreuil's observation on the stupas in this area that "the height of the cylindrical base is just that of an average man, the frieze thus being on eye level," which does not agree with your reconstruction in which it is shown as about three times as high as the approaching pilgrims and well above the top of the rail as is shown for artistic reasons (but incorrectly) in the surviving *chaitya* slab" Apart from the fact that a complete study of the remains of this stupa can only be made by consulting the much more comprehensive collection of material now displayed in the British Museum, such proportions as those referred to above would, if applied, in practice, ruin entirely the graceful elevation of this monument, a solecism which it is hardly possible its designers would be capable of. Further investigation of the mass of material distributed throughout the various museums and libraries seems necessary before the problem can be solved, and a revision of this conjectural restoration attempted. Moreover, it was the custom (which even now prevails) always for the designers of buildings containing rich and delicate workmanship to place this well above the reach of the spectator, for reasons which are obvious to all who chance to see the inquisitiveness of many of those who visit these institutions.