Indian Architecture (Buddhist and Hindu Periods) c8.s1.24

c8.s1.24

In spite, however, of the evidence of the literary records which indicate that much of the building construction at this early date was of a temporary nature, the one example that has survived proves that some efforts were already being made to produce stone masonry of a durable character. The beginnings are seen in the city wall of Rajgriha, the ancient capital of Magadha, now a vast area of ruins in the Patna district of Bihar. Immensely strong and of cyclopean proportions this wall consists of a rough pile of massive undressed stones, each between three and five feet in length, but carefully fitted and bonded together. The core between is composed of smaller blocks less carefully prepared with fragments of stone packed within the interstices , no mortar appears to have been used. This type of masonry seems to have been carried up to a height of about twelve feet, above which was erected a superstructure of wood and brick, or stone and brick combined It is noteworthy that the same system of walling is found in the primitive masonry of the Pelasgicum of the Acropolis at Athens, with which it is probably contemporary The desire for some stable method of construction was evidently being felt, but at this stage the skill and experience were lacking