Manasara Series (I. A Dictionary of Hindu Architecture; II. Indian Architecture according to Manasara-Shilpashastra; III. Manasara on Architecture and Sculpture: Sanskrit Text; IV. Architecture of Manasara: Translation; V. Architecture of Manasara: Illustrations; VI. Hindu Architecture in India and Abroad; VII. An Encyclopaedia of Hindu Architecture) v2.c16.266

v2.c16.266

That the *Mānasāra* is an avowedly architectural treatise meant for professional students of architecture and written by an architect, there need be no doubt. This will be clear beyond doubt even to a casual reader of this volume, not to speak of those who care to look up the writer’s *Dictionary*, and Text or Translation of the *Mānasāra*. To me it is, further, clear that the *Mānasāra* was largely based on details gathered together from the existing buildings and partly on details from the existing literature on the subject. It was, of course, meant to be a guide book; but it never aimed at being the sort of poem which is read for the beauty of its language or the general interest of its theme. It is very likely that the author of the *Mānasāra* was aware of the condition of buildings existing in the then India comprising the ten countries mentioned above. There might not have existed simultaneously buildings of twelve storeys in all the ten countries. What seems to be really meant is the distinctive types of magnificent buildings belonging to each of these countries.¹ For the *Mānasāra* is not an history of buildings of any country; it is a guide book, and as such it must give illustrations and generalise its findings. It matters not, therefore, if these countries were not equally prosperous at any one time. It is sufficient that these countries had flourished, and that they were well known in the history of India, and also that every one of these could at some time or other claim prosperity, and magnificence. Of these, Pāñchāla and Drāviḍa are stated to be of the smallest types; next higher in size and importance are Madhyadeśa, Kaliṅga, Virāṭa, Kerala and Vaṁśaka; the largest and most important are Magadha and Janaka. Sphū(Gū)rjaka is not specified (*Mānasāra*, XXX, 10--36).