Satmahal Prasada (Polonnaruwa)

Satmahal Prasada (Polonnaruwa)
Satmahal Prasada (lit: The seven-storied palace) is a solid pyramidal structure of seven stages located in the Ancient City of Polonnaruwa , Sri Lanka. It has been built outside of the northeastern corner wall of Dalada Maluwa (the Sacred quadrangle) and close to the slab inscription, Gal Potha .  History The chronicle Mahavamsa mentions that King Parakramabahu I (1153-1186 A.D.) built a seven-storied mansion ( Sathmahal Prasada ) in Polonnaruwa but it is not believed to be this building as there is no positive evidence to verify the relation between this building and the fact given in the chronicle. Still, the ancient name and the builder of this monument are not known. Depending on the architectural features it has, this edifice is dated by scholars to the 12th century A.D. (Paranavitana, 1960).  Structure Various conjectures have been made regarding the purpose of this structure but presently it is established that Satmahal Prasada was a  Stupa  of an uncommon type (Paranavitana, 1950).…