An Encyclopaedia of Indian Archaeology v1.c9.s18.26

v1.c9.s18.26

Apart from the Buddhist monastic complexes of SARNATH and ŚRĀVASTĪ hardly any monumental construction has been brought to light. Mention should however be made of a brick tank at ROPAR and the Ghoṣitārāma monastery and a palace complex at KAUŚĀMBĪ. The Ropar tank, assigned to Pd II (NBPW) of the site, was ellipoidal on plan. Presumably excavated in a low-lying land, it was filled by the diversion of rain-water from the neighbouring area through inlets like the one noticed in its n. wall. At KAUŚĀMBĪ a massive stone fortress measuring 320 × 180 m and believed to represent the remains of a palace-complex has been unearthed. According to the excavator there are four main stages in the architectural evolution of the palace, the earliest going back to 800-600 B.C. and the last dating down to Kushan times (1st-2nd century A.D.). Of special interest is the use of dressed stones in the second stage (600-200 B.C.) and five arches in the fourth stage (1st-2nd century A.D.); the dates are however not established beyond doubt. Of unquestionable value is the Ghoṣitārāma monastic complex located within the city itself.