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.c40.s7.34

v6.c40.s7.34

The articles of furniture give more reality to architecture, especially regarding the residential buildings. Although conquest and religion were the chief characteristics of the Vedic Indians, fortified settlements, cities, forts and fortresses on the one hand, and fire-altars of various designs² in the absence of regular temples on the other, were not the only examples of Vedic architecture. The evidences gathered together above will amply justify the conclusion that civil architecture was probably the chief building activity of civilized conquerors like the Vedic Indians. Thus there are unquestionable references to noblemen’s mansions (*harmya*) and king’s palaces (*prāsāda*), which are corroborated by the Mohenjo-daro discoveries of earlier ages. But the matter of greater importance is the references to unpretentious dwelling-houses of priestly population in village settlements. These smaller houses, of which a pen picture has been drawn above and of which the main design is still followed in border lands like East Bengal villages, were furnished in a way which affords a real insight into the life of the remote past.