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.s1.79

v6.c42.s1.79

From that edition of the *Mānasāra* the study of more than one field of Indology will get a new stimulus, as the interrelation of *Śilpa-śāstra* with many other disciplines is evident. In the first place, of course, the history of technical science, the history of Indian architecture and sculpture will draw the main profit; the comparison between theory and practice is not only interesting, but might yield also chronological clues for the history of religious sects. The editor has done all he could to bring out a readable text in which every line has been settled after careful consideration, as is to be seen from the Critical Notes. But Dr. Acharya has done much more; he has not satisfied himself with the edition, but he has rather for the first time brought out a translation of a *Śilpa-śāstra*. Everyone who will have to work in that field must either adopt his interpretation of the complicated materia or improve it by arguments; but nobody, who is aware of the intricate terminology of technical *Śāstras* can deny the pioneer work done by Professor Acharya. He has, however, facilitated the understanding of, in some way, dead words by a special volume of plates, not less than 157 in number, illustrating the features of all the buildings, sculptures, idols, etc. As great as the merit of Dr. Acharya may be in bringing out such a volume, the assistance he got by Mr. S. C. Mukherji of the Archaeological Department, partly by Mr. R. L. Bansal and Sri Siddalingaswamy, by transforming the complicated indications of the text into drawings, appealing much more to a vivid comprehension than words, deserves the highest appreciation. And great is the obligation under which students of Indology may feel themselves laid to all the factors by the help of which such an undertaking has been effected in these days.