Page:History of Indian and Eastern Architecture Vol 1.djvu/280

244 BUDDHIST ARCHITECTURE. BOOK I. POLONNARUWA. 1 Although very much more modern in date, and consequently less pure in style, the ruins at Polonnaruwa are scarcely less interesting than those of the northern capital to which it suc- ceeded. They form a link between the ancient and modern styles at a time when the Buddhists had ceased to exist, or at least to build, on the continent of India, and, when properly illustrated, will enable us to speak with confidence of much that we find beyond the Ganges. Much of what we know of these ruins is due to the publications of Sir Emerson Tennent, 2 which, though most valuable contributions, were far from exhausting the subject. According to this authority, the principal ruins extend in a line nearly north and south for about a mile and a half from the palace to the Gal Vihara, and comprise two dagabas, besides a number of smaller edifices. The greater part seems to have been erected during the reign of Parakrama Bahu I., 1153-86, though, as the city became the capital of the kingdom in the 9th century, it is probable that investigation may yet reveal some of earlier date ; while, as it was not finally deserted till 1293, some of them may also be more modern. If not the oldest, certainly the most interesting group at Polonnaruwa is that of the rock-cut sculptures known as the Gal Vihara. They are not rock - cut temples in the sense in which the term is understood in India, being neither residences nor chaitya halls. On the left, on the face of the rock, is a figure of Buddha, seated in the usual cross-legged conventional attitude, 15 ft. in height, and backed by a throne of exceeding richness : perhaps the most elaborate specimen of its class known to exist anywhere. Next to this is a cell, with two pillars in front, on the back wall of which is another seated figure of Buddha, but certainly of a more modern aspect than that last described. Beyond this is a figure standing in the open air, now supposed to represent Ananda the cousin of Buddha ; 3 1 In inscriptions the city is called Pulastipura and Kalingapura, and its modern name is Topawaewa or Topawa. As, however, that here given is the only one by which it is known in English literature, it is retained. 1 ' Christianity in Ceylon,' Murray, 1850; 'An Account of the Island of Ceylon,' 2 vols., Longmans, 1859. Mr. Lawton's and Captain Hogg's photo- graphs added considerably to the pre- cision but not to the extent of our knowledge. Mr. Smither's volume on Anuradhapura is by far the most im- portant addition yet made to the archi- tecture of Ceylon. Mr. Bell's ' Progress Reports ' are a mine of information, but require to be digested and arranged with fuller and better architectural illustrations. As yet the survey of Polonnaruwa is not published, but Mr. Bell has very kindly supplied me with a proof of his ' Annual Report ' for 1903, which, with three preceding, is devoted chiefly to the remains at that place. 3 This is a modern local designation : except perhaps in China, Ananda scarcely appears in Buddhist iconography.