History of Indian and Eastern Architecture v2.c33.s13: Beng Méaleâ.
History of Indian and Eastern Architecture v2.c33.s13
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Beng Méaleâ.
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The third great example is that of the temple of Beng Méaleâ (Woodcut No. 469), about 20 miles east of Angkor Thom. This temple belongs to the first class, all the enclosures being more or less on the same level. No inscriptions of any kind have been found on the structure, but according to Aymonier, who judges by the general design and decoration, it probably belongs to the 9th century. There is an exceptional feature in it; in the first enclosure on the south or left hand side are two groups of buildings which are assumed to have been the palaces of the King and Queen respectively. The lower or eastern one (P), of which the great central hall, with
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469. Plan of the Temple at Beng Méaleâ.
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a portion of its vault, still exists *in situ*, is supposed to have been the Queen's Palace, this hall being lighted from four courts; the absence of any smaller apartments in this and the western block (V) render its appropriation doubtful, but the great hall with its side aisles would seem to have been built as a throne or state reception room. All the outer courts were filled with water, forming huge tanks (*sras*), but they are too small to have served for nautical displays. The conjectural restoration, as shown in the bird's-eye view of Beng Méaleâ in Woodcut No. 470, gives a very good impression of the architectural composi-
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[Figure: 470. Conjectural Restoration of the Temple of Bêng Méaleâ. By M. L. Delaporte. (From "Le Cambodge": tome I. "le Royaume Actuel" par Etienne Aymonier.)]
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tion of the Cambodian temples, which, with their smaller corridors and great halls, seem to be more appropriate as palaces. All the corridors and halls were vaulted in stone, a type of construction which was employed only in religious structures. The walls of the corridors here were not carved as those of Angkor Vât and Bayon, the decoration being confined to the entrance portals and the towers. One of the cruciform terraces carried on circular piers, to which reference has been made, is shown in this view, without, however, the serpent balustrades or flights of steps down to the lower level, as found at Angkor Vât.