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.s1.34

v6.c42.s1.34

Some idea of the magnitude of the task to which Dr. Acharya set himself twenty years ago may be formed from the contents of the work. The whole work consists of seventy chapters, dealing with all the minute details relating to house-building, such as qualifications of architects, selection of site, erection of the gnomons for the orientation of buildings (a matter which is very badly understood by present-day builders), site-plans, village- and town- and fort-planning, dimensions, foundation, pedestal, columns, roofs, joinery and general features. All these are dealt with in relation to buildings of one to twelve storeys—(it seems we had sky-scrapers in ancient times). Next follow chapters dealing with royal palaces, royal entourage, cars, chariots, furniture, thrones, arches, central theatre and crowns. Lastly, there come temples and images, separate chapters being assigned to Jaina images, Buddhist images, images of sages, the comparative measures of images. Special chapters are also devoted to the casting of idols in wax and the chiselling of the eye. There are penalties also for defective construction.