178 



On the Buins of Buddha Gay a. 



[No. 2, 



-each having three medallions on the front and three mortises on each 

 side for the tenons of as many cross bars. On the top was a coping- 

 stone rounded above, but flat beneath. The pillars were seated on a 

 square base with mouldings on each side. The falling in of the monas- 

 tery which stood immediately to the north of it, broke and buried the 

 railing, and the only parts now found in situ, are the stumps of the 

 pillars and the basement. Fragments of bars and pillars are met with 

 in plenty within the rubbish, but a great number of the bars had 

 evidently, been removed before the rest were buried. 



To the west of the terrace a deep trench, cut through the rubbish 

 has brought to light the continuation of the railing on that side, but 

 in a comparatively better state of preservation. In the middle of the 

 line right opposite to the sacred tree there was a gate having the side 

 pillars highly ornamented. Probably similar gates originally existed 

 at the four cardinal points, but their traces are no longer visible. 



In style, ornament, and material the railing bears a close resemblance 

 to those of Buddhist remains in other parts of India, General Cunning- 

 ham, adverting to those at Bhilsa, observes, " the style is evidently 

 characteristic and conventional, as it is found wherever the Buddha 

 religion prevails. It is in fact so peculiar to Buddhists that I have 

 ventured to name it the < Buddhist railing.' This peculiar railing 

 is still standing around the principal topes of Sanchi and Andher, and 

 some pillars and other fragments are still lying around the great topes 

 at Sonari and Satdhara. The same railing was placed around the 

 holy Bodhi trees and the pillars dedicated to Buddha. The balconies 

 of the city gates and the king's palace were enclosed by it. It formed 

 the bulwarks of the state barge. It was used as an ornament for the 

 capitals of columns as on the northern pillar at Sanchi, and generally 

 for every plain band of architectural moulding. At Sanchi it is 

 found in many places as an ornament on the horizontal bars which 

 separate the bas-reliefs from each other, Bhilsa Topes, (p. 187)." 



The trench opened on the south of the great temple, has been run 

 close to its base with a view to expose the basement mouldings and 

 the tiers of niches holding figures of Buddha, which were the prevail- 

 ing ornament of the temple. Capt. Mead has in contemplation to run 

 another trench parallel to the last, but at the same distance from the 

 temple as the trench on the north is. This will most probably bring 

 to light the third side of the railing. 



