History of Indian and Eastern Architecture v2.c33.s3.27

v2.c33.s3.27

Its history in fact follows that of many of the pagodas of Burma: originally it is said to have been only 27 ft. high and to have attained its present height and dimension by repeated casings many feet in thickness. About the middle of the 15th century the height of the pagoda was raised to 129 ft., terraces were built round the hill, and the top—a platform—was paved with flagstones. In 1768 it reached its present height of 321 ft., not including the new Htî, which was presented by King Mindôn Min ; the platform now measures 900 ft. by 685 ft. and rises about 165 ft. above the base of the hill. On the top of the ground storey of the pagoda, the plan of which is multiplane with seven angular projections, are several miniature pagodas as at Pegu.