The Antiquities of Orissa v2.c17.s1.213.1

v2.c17.s1.213.1

**The Inner Enclosure.** It has been already stated that the walls of inner enclosure (400 x 278 ft.) are double, formed of two parallel lines having a narrow space between the two. The object of this arrangement none of the priests could explain to me. It is obvious, however, that when the outer walls did not exist these inner walls formed the defensive work of the temple. The space between the two walls (11 ft.) was either intended to be filled up with earth, so as to give the walls such thickness as to render them proof against hostile attacks, or to serve as a gallery for the defenders to go about and to shoot at the assailants without exposing themselves. Access to this gallery, however, is now closed and I did not scale the walls to see what was the level of the ground between the walls. The walls are called *Hosanberā* and the openings through these walls are six in number, four corresponding with the four outer gates, one leading to the top at the north-east corner and one to the covered passage of the kitchen. Of these the oldest is the eastern one, corresponding with the lion gate. It has a propylon of the same character as the outer one and is as richly sculptured. Aesthetically the four doors corresponding with the outer gates would have been best located had they been placed right opposite to them; but strategical considerations led to their being placed slightly to one side.