The Indus Civilization c4.25

c4.25

The apparent absence of temples in both cities is surprising, but there may, of course, have been small shrines scattered about whose ground-plans make them indistinguishable from ordinary houses. The Buddhist stupa and monastery, which stand, at a height of some sixty feet above the level of the surrounding plain, on the loftiest mound in the western portion of Mohenjo-daro, are, however, known to cover a building which may well have once been a temple. This structure has only been partially examined at present, as the trial trenches cut in the courtyard of the stupa were necessarily very restricted, and a full examination would be impossible unless the stupa were removed altogether. It is possible, however, to see that the building beneath the stupa is erected on an artificial hill about twenty feet high and composed of mud-brick, a material which is used for the other platforms found in various parts of the site. The purpose of these platforms was obviously to raise the buildings upon them out of the reach of floods, but the height of the one which supports the structure beneath the stupa seems to suggest that it was intended to give it prominence as well as safety. When further excavations take place on this site, the axiom that once a site becomes sacred it remains so, even to the followers of other religions who may occupy it later, will probably once more prove true.