An Encyclopaedia of Indian Archaeology v2.c44.122

v2.c44.122

Within the valley, about 800 m to the s. of the n. gate, is a unique structure—a hollow brick cylinder about 3 m in diameter and 1 m thick wall with stucco images of Brāhmaṇical divinities in Gupta tradition. The structure was the result of several rebuilds, with resultant rises in the levels marked by concrete floors outside to serve as circumambulation passages; in the course of one of the rebuilds a low door was provided to give access to the interior of the cylinder. Deeper excavation has shown that there are earlier brick walls unconnected with the cylinder. Within the stone compound wall that encloses the complex there are numerous brick altars, one of which held a Mathura sandstone sculpture carved on both sides, one of the inscriptions below a serpent-hooded couple mentioning Maṇi-nāga in Kushan characters. As the *Mahābhārata* and the Pāli texts mention a shrine of Maṇi-nāga or Maṇi-bhadra at Rajgir it is plausible to conjecture that this was the site of the shrine, later on altered to suit other requirements, including a now-demolished Jaina temple at the top. On and near one of the altars in the compound were scattered a large number of pottery jars, some more than 1 m high, with multiple spouts, many of them stuck on or rivetted into them. The spouts are variously shaped like ordinary short ones or like serpent hoods; goblins and animal figures (*ASI—AR 1934-5*). It is said that similar jars are still used in Bengal for the worship of the serpent goddess Manasā. (Recently F.R. Allchin in personal conversation suggested that the jars were used for purposes of distillation. If that were so, all evidence except the pots themselves has now been destroyed.) A Neolithic celt was found in the compound but it must be regarded as a stray find anciently brought from somewhere.