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.c37.59

v6.c37.59

The expectations of scholars and other commentators have, however, not been fulfilled.¹ Neither the Bihar Government nor the Darbhanga Raj took their advice to experiment with the principles enunciated in our *Śāstras* when rebuilding the areas devastated by the earthquake of 1934. The expectation, too, that the engineering colleges might include the study of the *Mānasāra* series among their compulsory subjects remained unfulfilled; and it is a remarkable commentary on their interest in this important aspect of essential Indian culture that few copies of the first edition were purchased in India, the great bulk of them having been sold in Europe and America. The parent Governments themselves have not as yet made up their mind to give a lead to the private builders. The national importance of the *Mānasāra* and the value of the application of its principles to practical ends, as exemplified in the Svastika Mansion, still remain to be recognized. In other countries Governments and other bodies invite and grant awards of their own accord for improved housing schemes, competitive designs and economic plans to suit the needs of the people and to stand the weather and climate of their countries. With the present-day tendencies of all peoples to foster national culture Indian Governments might well, with sound reason, have adopted ere this the *Mānasāra* as a standard and revived the true Indian architecture by constructing public buildings according to the principles of an indigenous science which became almost lost and forgotten although it now shows the experience of generations and experiments of centuries. In these days of mob mentality people are helpless to think for themselves and to decide what to do until and unless they get a lead from the Government of the country, even in respect of food and clothes, not to speak of house and furniture. The introduction of a new style of architecture among the public will be facilitated if the Indian Governments, and the public bodies subordinate to them, take it as their own policy and have the courage to experiment on the lines of the *Mānasāra* in order to give a practical lead to the public. In this, as in other fields of endeavour, the natural hesitancy of individuals and non-Government institutions to try something new and untried can only be overcome by the example and the publicity provoked by builders constructing models of every-day utility, and publishing complete and detailed plans and costs thereof. But the demonstrations themselves need publicity for which again some signal recognition and special reward have been found necessary even in big international exhibitions in order to draw public attention. A more ready recognition and the consequent publicity to the *Mānasāra* and the principles exemplified in the Svastika Mansion might have been expedited if the series could have been completed during the regime of the great educationist Governor, Sir Harcourt Butler, who sanctioned the publication of the series by advancing money from public funds,¹ and if Mr. H. R. Harrop, the late lamented Director of Public Instruction of the local Government, who saw through the details of the publication and encouraged the construction, were in office till now. Nevertheless I acknowledge with respectful thanks the help received from the Government of the United Provinces and the Government of India during some thirty years I have been engaged in completing the *Mānasāra* series in seven big volumes involving as it did continuous and strenuous labour in addition to my professorial and other official duties.