According to an inscription dated 1026 A. D. recovered from the site its old name was Dharma Chakra Stupa. It is perhaps commemorating the spot where lord Buddha preached his first sermon. I search of the relic casket Alexander Cunnigham bored a vertical shaft through its center down to the foundation level and at a depth of 91.4 cms. he found a slab with the inscription “YE DHARMA HETU PRABHAVA HETU …” written in the Brahmi script of 6th – 7th Century A. D. Further below he traced out a Stupa made of Mauryan bricks. However, the present dimension of this solid cylindrical tower is 28.5 meters at the base and 33.35 meters in height. Its total height is 42.60 meters including the foundation. The structure consists of a circular stone drum up to the height of 11.20 meters from the ground above which, rises the cylindrical mass of bricks work about 6.0 meters above the base. Eight niches are provided in eight directions, which must have contained images of Buddha. Below them runs a broad course of beautifully carved stones having geometric designs. Swastika, Leaf and Floral patterns combined with Birds and Human figures.

Dr. Manish Arora Assistant Professor Department of Applied Arts Faculty of Visual Arts Banaras Hindu University Varanasi 221005