A History of South India from Prehistoric Times to the Fall of Vijayanagar c21.36

c21.36

The largest of all these stūpas, that of Amarāvati, had its beginning about 200 B.C., but was completely reconstructed between A.D. 150 and 200. The dome was 162 feet across at the base and the concentric railing outside enclosed the pradakshiṇa path 15 feet wide. The height of the dome must have been from 90 to 100 feet. Some 20 feet above the ground there was a higher processional path with the usual offsets and the āryaka pillars. There was a balustrade about 8 feet high round the terraced path and it was richly carved on the inner sides. All that remains now of this stupendous monument are the sculptural slabs and parts of the railing preserved in museums.