Indian Architecture. of Sanchi, # for instance, the largest of which is 120 feet in diameter and 50 feet in height. The topes of Ceylon are even larger : the Abayagiri (b.c. 88) was 1100 feet in cir- cumference, and 244 feet in height : the Ruanwelle was 270 feet high. The Thuparamaya dagoba, near Anuradhapoora, the ancient capital of Ceylon, is smaller, but it stands on a platform nine feet high, and is surrounded by rows of pillars (Fig. 1). Fig. 1.— Tope of Ceylon. 2. Rock-cut Caves. — Originally intended as residences or monasteries for the followers of Buddha ; these were subsequently converted into temples. Such are the cave- temples of Ellora, Ajunta, Kannari, etc. These buildings were closely followed by the early Christian churches in their internal arrangements : rows of pillars separate
- A cast of the gateway of one of these topes is in the Indian
section of the South Kensington Museum.
