The University of Nalanda c18.39

c18.39

Of the remains of Nālandā buildings, chief architectural specimens are the *stūpas*, the monastery-buildings, and the niches. Among *stūpas*, the most noteworthy is *Stūpa* No. 3 and we have already described its peculiarities elsewhere. Unfortunately, none of the repaired *stūpas* is in its complete shape. Hence it is difficult to say of what type the tops of these *stūpas* were—whether they resembled in shape the one at Sāñchī or the one at Sāranāth. Probably they resembled the one we have at Sāranāth, namely, of a cylindrical type. *Stūpa* No. 3 does not give us a clear idea even of the ground structure, because so many smaller *stūpas* intervene, that it is difficult to say how the main *stūpa* was constructed. However, the *stūpa* at the northern extremity of the site which is being excavated, certainly, belongs to the cylindrical type, for the cylindrical mass of brickwork rising above the paved quadrangular one, is clearly visible.