Page:History of Indian and Eastern Architecture Vol 2.djvu/475

 CHAP. II. PALACES. 399 referred to, 1 after mentioning the central tower of Bayon, refers to a second example surmounted by a tower of gold copper, much higher than that first named, and adds : " in the palace enclosure is another golden tower, which can only be that of Phimeanakas, the pyramid temple," in the centre of the palace enclosure in Angkor Thorn. The lower platform of this temple measures 131 ft. by 82 ft, and is 8 ft. high, the second is 23 ft. high, and the third 20 ft. ; the upper platform is surrounded by a vaulted corridor barely 4 ft. wide inside, with rectangular windows on each side; only the lofty substructure of the sanctuary remains, which it is thought may h^ve carried a lofty tower in wood covered with copper and gilded. Of simpler types of the pyramidal temple, the example on the hill of Bakheng, south of Angkor Thorn, is interesting, owing to the small towers, thirty-six in number, built within the first enclosure and outside the central pyramid ; constructed originally to locate a statue, such as remain are utilised now as columbaria in which the ashes of parents are deposited. The pyramid consists of five platforms, on each of which are small circular turrets about 1 5 ft. high ; on the upper platform was a cruciform sanctuary of importance, but now in such a state of ruin that its plan cannot be well determined. In the temple of Ta Keo, east of Angkor Thorn, there are two enclosures, the inner one with corridor and tower on each side of the entrance gopura, and in the centre a pyramid of three storeys with a lofty sanctuary and four other towers. The symmetrical arrangement of the towers in this temple and in those at Bakheng and the similarity of design show that all date from the same period, and that they were probably built as memorial structures. PALACES. Whether any of the immense structures already described were ever occupied as residences by the Cambodian monarchs is not known, but the latest writer on the subject, General de Beylie, assumes, and he is followed to a certain extent by some other French authorities, that some of the temples were built as palaces for the King and occupied by him, his family, and courtiers, though in a Brahmanic state this is hardly probable. 2 It should be pointed out, however, that in the outer court of Beng M^alea are two groups of structures which have been described as 1 Page 373. 3 It should be borne in mind that in earlier times the monasteries or Mathas of the Brahmans, being also colleges for sacred studies, must have been exten- sive to provide accommodation for the numerous students and pandits, and were liberally supported by royal bounties. These great structures may in many cases have been such collegiate Mathas. Conf. Lajonquiere ' Inventaire Descriptif,' tome ii. introd. p. 29.