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) v7.c47.1911

v7.c47.1911

The internal arrangement of rooms in small dwelling houses is essentially like those described above. In the large edifices, palaces and mansions the buildings of various storeys are artistically arranged. There are stated to be one to seven enclosures in palaces of kings of nine orders. These enclosures are surrounded by walls, each of which is furnished with a large gateway known as the gopuram. In the innermost court (antarmanḍala, with the gateway called the dvārasobhā) are erected the residential palaces of the king, queens and princesses, and would be analogous to the Muslim harem. In the second circle (antanihara, with the gateway called dvāra-śālā) are built the edifices for the crown prince and other princes, royal priests, ministers and such other people. In the middle court (madhyamā hārā, with the gateway dvāra-prāsāda) are built mansions for council halls office rooms, and quarters for the resident members of the council, high civil and military officers, resident clerks and others. Within this enclosure in some properly secured lanes are built secret residences for the king. In the fourth enclosure (prākāra, with gateway dvāra-harmya) are quartered the foregin offices, for negotiating war, peace and such other matters. In the fifth court (mahāmaryāda, with the gateway called the great gate-house) are erected military quarters, barracks, and offices of smaller importance. The sixth and the seventh enclosures, which are not included in the smaller palaces, are reserved for the defence forces, guards, royal stables, houses for domestic animals, zoological gardens, etc. which are sometimes accommodated in the fifth court also. Prisons, cemeteries, cremation grounds and temples of certain fearful deities are quartered beyond the palace compounds. Temples are built within each court. The pleasure-gardens, orchards, tanks, etc. are suitably built within all the enclosures. In each of the enclosures mansions of one to twelve storeys are artistically arranged in rows varying from one to ten, while the gate-houses are furnished with one to seventeen storeys.