An Encyclopaedia of Indian Archaeology v2.c31.227

v2.c31.227

The fort-wall has a basal width of 4 m and rises to an extant height of 2·5 m. In the n.-w. corner of the wall is an additional feature—a mud-brick filling rising to a platform on the top, with stone veneer walls on its outer and inner sides. It is possible that originally the fort-wall might have been entirely or mostly of mud-brick and stone veneer and was specially reinforced by rubble—only in such parts of the wall as were strategically important. The stone blocks of the veneer are often of substantial dimensions, one particular lowest course block having been a beam more than 3 m long and 1·3 m high. Houses were constructed largely of stone slabs and blocks, but the use side by side of mud-brick, 50×25×12·5 cm, is also attested in the interior of the town. Baked brick is not much in evidence, the reason apparently being the easy availability of sandstone of well-laminated character in the geological formations all over Kutch. The location of the gateway entrance into the town is elusive, particularly since a great part of the town-wall on the south side has been eaten away by the periodic floods of the wild stream which acted as a defence but at the same time a threat to the town.