Studies in Indian Art c11.s3.17

c11.s3.17

The Epic writer has in my opinion preserved in the word शिशुमार शिरः a conspicuous feature of the early Indian gateway architecture. The voluted ends of the architraves or temple cross-beams were adorned with figures of fish-tailed alligators in a very attractive and prominent style. This feature impressing even a casual observer of the Sanchi gateways persists upto the Kushāṇa period in the art of Mathura. It should, however, be mentioned that this artistic feature which is so very common in the style of the Sanchi Toraṇas is conspicuous by its absence at Bharhut where only the spiral motifs are carved on the two ends of the beams. I should also note that I am unable to quote any other evidence from early Jaina or Buddhist literature to corroborate the above explanation which can, therefore, be taken at best a suggestion deriving its force from the evidence of available architectural styles of early Indian art.