Cyclopean Wall of Rajgir
The Cyclopean Wall of Rajgir is a 40 km (25 mi) long wall of stone which encircled the entire ancient city Rajgriha (Present day Rajgir), in the Indian state of Bihar to protect from external enemies and invaders. It is among the oldest specimens of cyclopean masonry across the world.
| Cyclopean wall of Rajgir | |
|---|---|
| General information | |
| Town or city | Rajgir |
| Country | India |
| Estimated completion | 3rd centuryBC |
| Affiliation | Archeological Survey Of India (ASI) |
History
It was erected by the rulers of Maurya dynasty before 3rd century BC using massive undressed stone for the protection of ancient city Rajgriha (present day Rajgir). It reminds the great administrative abilities of the Maurya Empires.
Condition
Only some portions of it remains. Most of it disappeared with time. This is currently under the protection of National Monument. The Bihar Archeology Department has recommended to the Archeological Survey Of India (ASI) that it should be include in the list of the UNESCO world heritage sites, and it was declared a world heritage site in 1987.
Course
It is 40 km (25 mi) long wall which encircled the entire ancient city Rajgriha (present day Rajgir).to protect it from external enemies and invaders.
Characteristics
It is a type of stonework built with massive limestone boulders, roughly filled together with minimal clearance between adjacent stone and no use of mortar. The boulder typically seem unworked, but some may have worked roughly with a hammer and the gap between boulders filled in with smaller chunks of limestone.
References
- Rema Sopam (3 June 2019) push-to-get-mauryan-age-wall-at-rajgir-unesco-heritage-status. Hindustan Time.
- Farrukh Nadim (28 November 2017) declare-cyclopean-wall-as-heritage-site-cm.Times of India.
