The Colas c12.57

c12.57

The richer classes dwelt in houses built of brick and mortar,⁶⁰ of which the walls were often covered with painting of divine figures and pictures of animal life,⁶¹ and surrounded by tastefully laid out pleasure gardens.⁶² Such gardens possessed shallow wells or tanks with mechanical fittings, artificial hillocks, rivulets and waterfalls, bowers of flower plants and glass houses, for the amusement of the inmates of the mansions that stood in their midst. Mirrors were also known and used.⁶³ The opening canto of the *Śilappadikāram* gives an account of a wedding in high society which, though no doubt slightly idealised, may perhaps be accepted as based upon reality. The bride, Kaṇṇaki, was twelve years of age; the bridegroom, Kōvalan, was sixteen. Their marriage was arranged by their parents, who were wealthy merchants, and announced to the citizens of Puhār by ladies riding on an elephant.