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) v6.c37.13

v6.c37.13

In Appendix I, an endeavour has been made to remove an erroneous notion that Hindu architecture was based on, or, at least, largely influenced by, the Persian architecture. The Persian had no temples, nor images, nor idols, while the glories of Hindu architecture are evinced nowhere more than in temples and sculptures. In Appendix II, a further endeavour has been made to remove a similar deceptive notion. Taking advantage of our present national awakening, certain time-servers and fortune-seekers have gone to the length of misleading even some big municipal corporations in matters of the so-called Indian style, which they enforced by legislation in certain quarters of their cities. This has also affected some truly patriotic builders, who have been persuaded to believe that their mission towards Hindu or Indian architecture will be fulfilled if they can discard everything European, especially English, and if they place a Gaṇeśa image or an elephant figure at the landing of their dwellings, a monkey on their school buildings, and a hawk symbol upon their hospitals. This leads to the more important question of ascertaining the future of Indian architecture.