An Encyclopaedia of Indian Archaeology v2.c42.327

v2.c42.327

Excavation was restricted to three areas. Of these the Jagannath Tekdi yielded a large number of antiquities besides the remains of a *stūpa* which was subsequently embellished by an elaborate *pradakṣiṇā-patha*, sturdy railings with sculptures and imposing gateways at the cardinal points. The earliest *stūpa*, with the diameter of 38·2 m right over the laterite [9.6], was built of burnt brick 40 × 37 × 10 cm in dimensions, laid in mud mortar. The dome portion is badly disturbed. No clear indication of any circumambulatory path for this *stūpa* could be had. The first construction can be dated on the basis of its association with the NBPW [11.16]. The second phase of this complex involved the encasement in burnt brick of the *stūpa* which enhanced its diameter by 1·48 m. In addition to this around the *stūpa* was laid a 1·6 m wide *pradakṣiṇā-patha* of fine gravel with lime and earth mixed with or containing mica flakes. At the external periphery of this *patha* was erected a wooden railing evidenced by circular post-holes each about 16 cm in diameter. Thus in the second phase the *stūpa* had its diameter enlarged by 1·48 m and had a *pradakṣiṇā-patha* encircled by wooden railing. The *stūpa* received a second encasement after some time of unknown length, as a result of which it had a diameter of 41·2 m. Unlike the first, the second elaborate encasement was a planned effort inasmuch as the dome was covered with rectangular box-type brick construction with a filling of clay. On an average these boxes measured 4 × 3 m. Along with the covering and enlarging of the dome a ring of brick was constructed around the *stūpa* and wooden posts were sunk into it with a view to forming an inner peripheral railing, the precise nature of which cannot be ascertained. In the next stage the posts were replaced by octagonal stone uprights with sculptures of *yakṣas* on the outer face. Outside this inner railing was relaid a 2·78 m wide *pradakṣiṇā-patha* faced with flat slabs of stone on hard-pressed *murram* and compact brown clay. The outer periphery of this path was enclosed by another enclosure of massive sandstone uprights at a distance of 1 m from each other, horizontal *sūcīs* with lenticular section and coping stones whose rectangular shallow mortise holes accommodated the tenons in the centre of the top of upright pillars. The uprights of the inner railing were haxagonal, were at a distance of 1·10 m from each other and had a socket on the top which could accommodate the projection at the lower face of the coping stone. The faces of the uprights of the inner and outer railings were beautifully sculptured with the figures or *yakṣas*, Nāga Mucalinda, devotees and such motifs as *caitya-vṛkṣa*, *dharma-cakra*, etc. The human figures as also the *yakṣa* ones are in the Śuṅga style indicating influence from Madhyadeśa. Most of the uprights and *sūcīs* have donative inscriptions.