An Encyclopaedia of Indian Archaeology v1.c17.s11.3

v1.c17.s11.3

Lamps, steps, birds and aquatic creatures are seen in tanks of most of the sites whereas other features are less common. The combination of almost all these features, except the presence of drummers, is seen in a rectangular tank from Taxila (Sirkap), while the earlier examples from Bhir Mound are circular with a series of lamps on the rim. The circular type continues at Sirkap, AHAR², SAMBHAR, UJJAIN, PAUNAR, etc., but the rectangular or squarish is a widely prevalent type. The roofed-house type is not very common. Among the later specimens BHITA shows a unique type 'with seven figurines (*sapta-mātṛkas*?) and an attached shrine.