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.c16.66

v2.c16.66

The next chapter (III) is called, “Of the different branches (building, dialling, and mechanics) of architecture,” and the chapter following (IV) is named, “Of the choice of healthy situation,” which deals with the climatic conditions and elevation of the building site as well as with its aspects or orientation. Unlike in the *Mānasāra* the consideration of fogs, rains, heat and cold, which are peculiarities of the European countries, has been given prominence here. The explanations of aspects recommended are satisfactory. “A city on the sea-side,” it is stated, “exposed to the south or west will be insalubrious; for in summer mornings, a city thus placed would be hot, at noon it would be scorched. A city also with a western aspect would even at sunrise be warm, at noon hot, and in the evening of a burning temperature. Hence the constitution of the inhabitants of such places, from such continual and excessive changes of the air, would be much vitiated.” After citing opinions of physicians and others and supporting by illustrations, it is further stated “When, therefore, a city is built in a marshy situation near the sea coast, with a northern, north-eastern, or eastern aspect, on a marsh whose level is higher than the shore of the sea, the site is not altogether improper; for by means of sewers the waters may be discharged into the sea; and at those times, when violently agitated by storms, the sea swells and runs up the sewers, it mixes with the water of the marsh and prevents the generation of marshy insects; it also soon destroys such as are passing from the higher level, by the saltness of its water to which they are unaccustomed." The frequent mention of the sea-side, it is needless to point out, is due to the situation of the prominent Italian cities on the sea-shore, and of Rome, in particular, which was the object of special study to Vitruvius.