Defence Architecture in Early North Karnataka c12.s4.2

c12.s4.2

The blocks (Fig.27) used are of irregular shapes and of varied sizes, they are filled conveniently in accordance with the slope so well that hardly any space is left in between the boulders. The construction is cyclopean (Fig.30) the hearting is of earth debris. However, thin clay that had probably percolated from the hearting into the narrow spaces left in between the blocks, is visible. The method of construction is so that the heavy load of the upper part is very well borne by the wider bottom. The top, which is about 2 m wide is flat throughout. If there was originally any parapet wall at the exterior edge cannot be known from the present state of its existence. However, the existance of the parapet for the protection of the guards cannot be ruled out. For in the sculptural representations of the main gates of the fortified cities; in the reliefs of 1st century B.C., from Mathura, Sānchi (Coomraswamy, A.K., 1972, Pl.XIV & XVI), there are clear indications of the parapet wall at the top edge of the fort.