is no doubt due to the secluded and inaccessible position of the Topes, which are not large enough to attract the eye, although they can be distinctly seen when pointed out. The base of the dome, which is 35 feet 2 inches in diameter, rests on a cylindrical plinth only 4 feet in height. The terrace, 5 feet wide and 5 feet high, has a stone coping, along its outer edge, 15 inches in height, and 13 inches in thickness. This is the only instance of terrace-coping that now exists. From the style of the bas-reliefs of Topes on the Sánchi gateways, we had expected to have found some terraces surrounded by Buddhist railings, but we were disappointed, for not one of the numerous Topes excepting this has the slightest trace of a ledge of any kind. The rounded and massive coping forms an appropriate finish to the massive basement. On the west there is a double flight of steps, 4 feet 4 inches in width, which meet at a landing-place 7 feet 2 inches in length and 5 feet in breadth. Several of the steps are perfect, 13 inches broad and 10 inches high; and, as the gateway is still standing, we have here one of the most complete existing specimens of the second-rate Tope.

3. The base is enclosed by a Buddhist railing 7 feet in height, with an entrance on the west formed in the same manner as those of the Sánchi Topes. The pillars are 5 feet 8 inches in height, with a section of 14 inches face and 10 inches side. There are three railings each 18 inches broad, and 6 inches thick. The coping is the same as that of the terrace.

The pillars are ornamented with full and half medallions formed of lotus and other flowers. The quadruple emblem of Dharma, which is seen on so many of the old coins, here occupies a medallion.* On one of the pillars there is a short inscription in the usual style:

Dhama Sivasa Mátu dánam.

"Gift of DHARMA-SIVA's mother."

The characters, which are very neatly cut and well formed, are apparently as old as those of the great Sánchi Tope which dates in the reign of Asoka. The pillars of the entrance are carved on both sides, and the two outer ones on three sides. The principal subjects are a wheel-pillar with a capital formed of two lions and an elephant, a holy tree surmounted by a chatta, and a Tope. There is also another scene in which several figures are seated in a circle, each on a small square couch. This may perhaps represent the meeting of one of the Buddhist Synods. The Tope is surrounded by the remains of a walled enclosure, and to the south there is one of those massive foundations which have already been described. It is nearly 70 feet long, and between 30 and 40 feet broad, but not more than 6 feet high at present.

4. A shaft was sunk down to the centre of the hemisphere, where we found a chamber 10 inches. square, and 18 inches in height on one side, by 10 inches on the opposite side. Within was a round

* See Plate XXXII., fig. 4, of this work.

stone box, 5 inches in height, 65 inches broad at bottom, and only 5 inches at top. The chamber, which is 34 inches deep and 4 inches wide, contained nothing save a small quantity of black ashes and something like calcined nut-shells. The lid of the box is 2 inches in height, domed, and slightly hollowed beneath. See Plate XXVIII., fig. 6. Three feet beneath this deposit, and on a level with the terrace, we found a second chamber, somewhat slightly formed, containing a hemispherical red earthenware vessel 10 inches in diameter turned with the mouth downwards. Beneath this was a second vessel of red earthenware, 8 inches in diameter, containing a black earthenware bowl 7 inches in diameter and 3 inches in height. Lastly, inside the bowl there was a black earthenware vase 5 inches in diameter and 4 inches in height, with a small lid of the same material.*

was empty. See Plate XXVIII., fig. 7.

4

This vase

NO. 2 TOPE.-ANDHER.

5. One hundred and twenty feet to the south-east of the last, there is a second Tope of much smaller dimensions, but in a much more perfect state than these buildings are usually met with. The base of the dome, which is 18 feet 10 inches in diameter, rests on a cylindrical plinth 4 feet in height above the terrace, which is 4 feet 4 inches broad and 6 feet

• The glaze of these black vessels is beautifully smooth, and of a bright metallic lustre.