THE CHARACTERISTICS AND TRANSFORMATION OF STUPAS PLINTHS ON BUDDHIST TEMPLES IN CENTRAL GANDHARA

This study discusses the transformation of stupas in the Gandhara Buddhist temples focusing plinth forms and masonry techniques. The first article studies the remains of two archaeological sites, Ranigat and Takht-i-bahi, located in “Central Gandhara” where is the core region of Gandhara in the broad meaning. It was found 1) the plinth forms are categorized into three such as one-story type, two-story type, step-down type, 2) one-story and step-down types are common in Ranigat site and two-story type in Takht-i-bahi site, and 3) the transitions of masonry techniques of two sites have commonality.