Cyclopean Wall of Rajgir

Cyclopean Wall of Rajgir
General information
Town or city	Rajgir
Country	India
Estimated completion	300 BC
Affiliation	Archeological Survey of India (ASI)

The Cyclopean Wall of Rajgir is a 40 km (25 mi) long wall of stone which encircled the ancient city of Rajgriha (present-day Rajgir), in the Indian state of Bihar, to protect it from external enemies and invaders. It is among the oldest examples of cyclopean masonry in the world.

Cyclopean Wall of Rajgir which encircled the former capital of Magadha

History

It was erected by the rulers of the Brihadratha (rawani) Dynasty using massive undressed stones. The walls are also mentioned in Buddhist works.

Condition

Only some portions of it remain. Most of the original structure has disappeared with time. The wall is currently designated as a national monument, and the Bihar Archaeological Department has recommended to the Archaeological Survey of India that it should be included in the list of UNESCO World Heritage Sites, which was achieved in 1987.

Characteristics

The wall is a type of stonework built with massive limestone boulders, roughly filled together with minimal clearance between adjacent stones and no use of mortar. The boulders typically seem unworked, but some may have been shaped with a hammer.