Archeological Survey Report. Xc1x 
not even a single block out of so many thousands should now remain 
in its original position. In one part I observed some projecting bricks 
which appeared very like the remains of a moulding at the base of 
the dome. On the top I found a small brick cap, 8 feet in diameter 
and only 4 feet high. From its size I infer that this was the ruin of 
the base of a small pinnacle, about 10 feet square, which most pro- 
bably once supported astone umbrella. I infer this because the figures 
of Buddha the Teacher are usually represented as seated under an 
umbrella. 
233. The lower part of the monument has eight projecting faces, 
each 21 feet 6 inches in width, with intervals of 15 feet between them. 
In each of the faces, at a height of 24 feet above the ground, there 
is a semi-circular headed niche, 54 feet in width, and the same in 
height. In each of the niches there is a pedestal, 1 foot in height, and 
slightly hollowed on the top to receive the base of a statue; but the 
statues themselves have long ago disappeared, and I did not find 
even the fragment of one in my excavation at the base of the monument. 
There can be little doubt, however, that all the eight statues represent- 
ed Buddha the preacher, in the usual form, with his hands raised before 
his breast, and the thumb and forefinger of the right hand placed on 
the little finger of the left hand for the purpose of enforcing his 
argument. Judging by the dimensions of the niches, the statues 
must have been of life-size. 
234. From the level of the base of the niches the eight projecting 
faces lessen in width to 5 feet at the top; but the diminution is not 
uniform, as it begins gradually at first, and increases as it approaches 
the top. The outline of the slope may have been possibly intended 
for a curve, but it looks much more like three sides of a large polygon. 
Around the niches seven of the faces are more or less richly decorated 
with a profusion of flowing foliage. The carving on some of the 
faces has been completed, but on others it is little more than half 
finished, while the south face is altogether plain. On the unfinished 
faces portions of the unexecuted ornamentation may be seen traced 
in outline by the chisel, which proves that in ancient times the 
Hindus followed the same practice as at present, of adding the carving 
after the wall was built. 
235. On the western face the same ornamentation of flowing 
foliage is continued below the niche, and in the midst of it there is a 
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