History of Indian and Eastern Architecture v2.c33.s3.42

v2.c33.s3.42

It will be recollected that, when speaking of the great dâgabas of Anurâdhapura in Ceylon, it was pointed out (*ante*, vol. i. p. 230) that they had three procession-paths round their bases, ascended in like manner by flights of steps opposite the four cardinal points of the compass. It is interesting to observe here, after a lapse of 2000 years, and at a distance of nearly 1500 miles, the changes have been so small. It is true the number of procession-paths has increased from three to five, and the terraces become relatively much more important than in the older examples ; but, barring this and some changes in detail, the monuments are practically the same, notwithstanding all the curious varieties that have sprung up in the interval.