Photo 92/16(21)

Genre: Architectural Photography

Caption note added in pencil: 'On the summit of Mihintale hill on the spot where the Mahinda alighted after his miraculous translation from India to bring Buddhism to Ceylon, c. 247 BC. Here he found King Tissa hunting the 'elk' (Sambhur) and converted him and all his followers.' General view of the small stupa, with circular brick platform and surround pillars in foregound. The image has been badly marred by marking up for cropping, with some retouching to heighten the highlights.

The structure is described as follows in Ulrich von Schroeder, 'Buddhist Sculptures of Sri Lanka' (Visual Dharma Publications, Hong Kong, 1990), p.629:

'This vatadage or circular relic-house with a small dagaba in it, is referred to in the inscription of Mahinda IV (965-972AD) as At vehera dage, meaning the relic-house in the inner monastery. The existing stone pillars of the vatadage date approximately from the 7th century. It is believed that the present stone pillars replaced the earlier ones carved in wood. The Mahavamsa says that Kanitthatissa (c. 167-186 AD) built a cetiyaghara at Ambatthala which was later repaired by Gothabhaya (c. 249-262 AD). The dagaba over which the relic-house was built by these two kings, therefore, must have been in existence even earlier, because the references in both cases are to the cetiya or thupa house and not to the enshrined dagaba. The Habarana rock inscription of about the 3rd century refers to a cetiya house built at Ambatthala for the Sila-ceta (Sila Cetiya), or a 'dagaba made of stone'. This reference might point to Gothabhaya (c. 249-262 AD) mentioned above. The Mahavamsa also informs us that Kutakannatissa (c. BC 44-22) built a stone dagaba at Cetiyapabbata. This reference, no doubt, establishes the identity of the Sila Cetiya. The later popular traditions interpret that this dagaba was built on a spot hallowed by Buddha on the occasion of his third visit to Sri Lanka. As a result, this spot is now considered as one of the sixteen sacred Buddhist places of worship in Sri Lanka. A stone Bodhisattva torso and the head of another Bodhisattva image nearby on the ground were in 1989 still in situ...Close by are the present Rajamahavihara and also some Mahayana rock inscriptions.'

[Albumen print, signed 'Lawton' in the negative, 282x216mm].

Subjects = archaeological sites; dagabas (stupas); relic houses; Scott (Sir George) Collection; Sri Lankan architecture; Sri Lankan architecture (Buddhist); stupas

Location = Ceylon; Mihintale; North Central Province; Sri Lanka