The Early History of the Deccan (Parts I–XI) v2.c16.s1.9

v2.c16.s1.9

For the purpose of this chapter a short description of the central stūpa at Amarāvatī, which was perhaps the most magnificent in this part of the country, will suffice. Unfortunately, the stūpa does not exist now. It was in a ruinous condition in 1797, when Colonel Mackenzie first saw it, and since then the bulk of its fragments have been removed to London where they are preserved and exhibited at the British Museum, and the residue kept in the country are now housed and displayed at the Government Museum in Madras. According to the descriptions given by experts,¹ it appears that the base of the stūpa was of considerable size, being approximately 162 ft. in diameter. It was wainscoted with sculptural marble, the artistic and iconographic features of which will be discussed at the appropriate place in this chapter. Above the circular base was built the dome, which seems to have been from 120 to 140 ft. in diameter. The lower portion of the dome, which rose almost perpendicularly from the base, was also encased with marble slabs containing representations of the stūpa itself and jātaka stories carved artistically in relief. The upper part of the dome was built of brick and covered with stucco on which floral designs and religious emblems were similarly executed in low relief.