Indian Architecture (Buddhist and Hindu Periods) c41.58

c41.58

There are the shattered portions of many such monastic establishments in and around Anuradhapura and elsewhere, mainly represented by the massive stones of their foundations And from one of the largest and most sumptuous of these priory halls, now incorrectly known as the Brazen Mansion or Peacock Palace, some idea of the architectural style of this period may be gained Since identified as the famous Lohaprasada monastery built by king Duthagamini early in the first century B C, partly from descriptive records and partly from intensive study of the remains the original shape of this historical structure can be conjectured. When first built it rose up as a great pyramidal pile in nine stories crowned by a domical roof of bronze, evidently an imposing conception, spacious in plan and striking in its appearance For from what survives of its ground story, consisting of portions of its moulded stylobate with voluted balustraded stairways the quality of the workmanship may be determined, while from the forest of granite pillars which are still grouped upon its site the extent of its ground plan can be readily estimated. When it is realized that these monoliths have been calculated to be as many as sixteen hundred in number, each twelve feet high, and covering an area of 250 feet side, the dimensions of this priory hall and its great size generally may be imagined.