Page:History of Indian and Eastern Architecture Vol 1.djvu/265

 CHAP. VIII. ANURADHAPURA. 231 level, and measures 475 ft. from north to south by 473 ft. across, the retaining wall being carved with elephants. The four thrones or chapels are found facing the cardinal points that on the south being the least ruined. The same king had previously erected another smaller dagaba, about 133 ft. in diameter at the rise of the dome. It is known as the Mirisavetiya dagaba, and like the last described it is very much ruined. Like the other dagabas it had three low pasadas or terraces round the base from 5 to 6 ft. in breadth, together projecting 16 ft. 7 in. from the bell of the dagaba, and rising to 13 ft. 5 in. from the pavement. 1 127. View of the north side of the west chapel, Ruwanveli Dagaba. (From a Photograph.) An excavation on the west side, however, revealed a handsome chapel, similar to those at the other dagabas, but differing in detail, and in a much more perfect condition. The whole is elaborately carved in horizontal bands with elephants and other animals, rosettes, etc., and at the ends are richly-carved stelae surmounted by lions. Behind the chapels at the Ruwanveli 1 For full description and drawings, see Smither's ' Anuradhapura,' pp. 19-22, and plates 14-21. Excavation on the east side, in search of a corresponding structure proved fruitless. In 1890 the dagaba was "being elaborately restored by prison labour at the expense of a Siamese prince.'' 'Sessional Papers,' 1890, p. 43. This restoraiion has been left unfinished for want of funds,