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Introduction
25
śvanātha, the prcdccessor of Mahävīra would fall at a date not later than B.C. 600. Considering the significance of the phrase in the inscription “built by the Gods” as indicating that the building at about the beginning of the Christian era was bclicved to date from a period of mythical antiquity, the date B.C. 600 for its first erection is not too early. Probably therefore, this stupa of which Dr. Führer exposcd the foundations, is the oldest known building in India”.I
1.
Ibid, Chapter II.
