Page:Asoka - the Buddhist Emperor of India.djvu/125

Rh it reached the intended height. On arriving at this stage, other contrivances had to be devised to place it in an erect position. Hopes of great thickness were obtained, and windlasses were placed on each of the six stages of the base. The ends of the ropes were fastened to the top of the pillar, and the other ends passed over the windlasses, which were ﬁrmly secured with many fastenings. The wheels were then turned, and the column was raised about half a gaz [yard]. Logs of wood and bags of cotton were then placed under it to prevent it sinking again. In this way, and by degrees, the column was raised to the perpendicular. Large beams were then placed round it as supports until quite a cage of scaffolding was formed. It was thus secured in an upright position straight as an arrow, without the smallest deviation from the perpendicular. The square stone before spoken of was placed under the pillar .'

Asoka erected about thirty or morc such monuments. When labour so great was required to move one a distance of a hundred and twenty miles we may imagine how much energy was expended in setting up thirty pillars, some of which were much heavier than that removed by Fîroz Shah, and were transported to distances still greater.

Ten of the pillars known at present are inscribed. Six of these bear copies of the ﬁrst six Pillar Edicts, the seventh edict, the most important of all, being found on one monument only, the Delhi—Topra pillar, the removal of which has been described. The