Public Administration in Ancient India c18.97

c18.97

Recent excavations in Mandor have brought to light the remains of the old hill-fort, Mandavya-durga, built about the sixth century A.D. These remains give us some idea of the structure of a hill-fort of ancient times. The walls rise to a considerable height. They were constructed of massive blocks of stone, their width averaging some 24 or 25 feet, and originally they were further strengthened and protected by bastions on the outside, of which several are still preserved on the north and west sides. Along the curtain of the walls these bastions are either square or rectangular in plan; but the one at the north-west angle is circular, and it is possible that those at the other three corners were of the same form. The gateways are hidden under the fallen debris, but can be recognised. The main approach to the castle as well as to the city is a broad paved causeway, which ascends the plateau from the plains and runs alongside the moat.¹