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.c41.s25.260

v6.c41.s25.260

Architecture, thus comprehended, denotes all objects that are constructed according to a design and with an artistic finish. The guide book, like that of the Roman architect Vitruvius, upon which all western architecture is based, and the standard *Śilpa-śāstra*, like the *Mānasāra*, which has regulated all the known structures of India, have included sculptures also for discussion. Both these authorities deal almost equally with all details of the village-scheme, town-planning, fortified cities, and all the cognate subjects, such as the layout of roads, gardens, market-places, commercial ports and harbours, bridges, gateways, triumphal arches, enclosures, embankments, dams, railings, landing places, and flights of steps for hills and rivers, wells, tanks, trenches, drains, sewers, moats and similar objects. Buildings proper include religious, residential, military and commercial structures, and comprise temples, dwelling-houses, palaces, edifices and mansions, various halls and pavilions, secretariats, prison houses, hospitals for men, stables of animals, and nests for birds. Courts, compounds, blocks of larger edifices, as well as the auxiliary members and their component mouldings, are necessarily discussed. Doors, windows, verandahs and balconies, floors, roofs, domes, ceilings, pillars, arches and porches, which mostly constitute the distinguishing features of various styles in architecture, are elaborated in great detail. Articles of furniture are similarly treated, and include bedsteads, couches, tables, chairs, wardrobes, baskets, cages, nests, mills, lamps and lamp-posts. Thrones and crowns for deities and kings form a distinct branch. Personal ornaments and garments include various chains, ear-rings, armlets, anklets, foot-rings, waist-bands, jackets, headgear and footwear.