Indian Architecture (Buddhist and Hindu Periods) c41.6

c41.6

The earliest Buddhist structures in Ceylon are stupas, and these are found mainly within the region of Anuradhapura Composed almost entirely of brick these tumuli display features which differentiate them from monuments of a similar order in other Buddhist countries. For instance the Sinhalese divide their stupas as a class, into six varieties according to their appearance, such as the "bell," the "bubble," the "lotus" etc, each signifying the general shape of the domical portion known in India as the *anda* or egg, but in Ceylon by the name of *gaeba* Here it should be mentioned that the common name for the stupa is *dagaba* from *dhatu-garbha* or relic-chamber, the nomenclature of its component parts being shown in Plate CLXXVII The stupa itself is ordinarily semi-globular in form and stands on a range of concentric circular platforms almost invariably three in number, the whole based on a square terrace approached by a flight of steps in the middle of each side Over the summit of the dome arose the finial consisting of a box-like member in which valuable offerings were placed, previous to the *chhatravali* or conventional parasol being erected, as a spire, crowning the whole. The tumulus structure is composed entirely of solid brickwork, the bricks of the earliest examples, such as those erected before the first millennium, being similar to those used in India which were of a large size being as much as seventeen inches in length, but decreasing in the course of time until in those of the twelfth century they were only about twelve inches long.