[Pramāṇa](https://indike.org/pramana/) › [Studies](https://indike.org/pramana/ins) › [Architecture and art](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.art) › [A History of Fine Art in India and Ceylon, from the Earliest Times to the Present Day](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.art.smith-1911) › c8.11 # A History of Fine Art in India and Ceylon, from the Earliest Times to the Present Day c8.11 A History of Fine Art in India and Ceylon, from the Earliest Times to the Present Day c8.11 - **Language:** English ### [c8.11](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.art.smith-1911.c8.11) The most ancient \*stūpas\* were very plain. They were often surrounded by a stone railing, which marked off a procession path for the use of worshippers and served as a defence against evil spirits.² The early examples of such railings, as at Sānchī, are perfectly unadorned copies of wooden post and rail fences. The bars - [Previous: c8.10](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.art.smith-1911.c8.10) - [Next: c8.12](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.art.smith-1911.c8.12) - [Up: c8](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.art.smith-1911.c8) ## Linked texts (1) - [Sāñcī](https://indike.org/pramana/inp.site.sanchi) --- Source: [https://indike.org/pramana/ins.art.smith-1911.c8.11](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.art.smith-1911.c8.11) · Pramāṇa