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.c42.s1.10

v6.c42.s1.10

‘Thus,’ says Dr. Acharya, ‘the peculiar pain of giving “rebirth” to a once fully-grown “barbarous” child of unknown origin has been brought home to the writer. The youthful enthusiasm has been put to a great trial through the continuous struggle for seventeen years. With great diffidence, therefore, this curious child is presented to the learned world. If received with sympathy and kindness even such a child may thrive and bring some solace to everybody responsible for and interested in it.’ Dr. Acharya’s diffidence does credit to his modesty. His work is the product of such uncommon scholastic zeal and enthusiasm, and of such rare merit that, we are quite sure, the learned author’s sacrifice will be rewarded not merely by the appreciation of competent judges, but by ‘lasting benefit’ to the country. Dr. Acharya is right to hold that ‘our architectural policy of the past few hundred years, based as it has been on foreign imitation, and in an entirely different climate and soil, has not proved quite successful in regard to temples and humble dwelling-houses, if not in regard to public edifices also.’ We earnestly share Dr. Acharya’s hope. To the layman, quite a new world, as it were, of India’s greatness in a sphere of national life which has been comparatively neglected, is opened by our author’s *magnum opus*. As we read Dr. Acharya’s pages we are filled with wonder, admiration, and pride that the twin subjects of architecture and sculpture were treated with such scientific thoroughness and precision by our remote ancestors. And yet, we are the people who are condemned, by the arrogance of a ruling race, as unworthy of constructing the ugly barracks which our Public Works Department glories in putting up at extravagant cost to the tax-payer.