Indian Art: A History of Indian Art from the Earliest Times up to the Third Century A.D. c13.s1.t6.2

c13.s1.t6.2

A very remarkable feature of the portico is two large-sized pillars which have developed all those features that are associated with the free-standing columns, viz. a tall shaft and a very conspicuous animal capital as are exactly found in front of the Karle Cave and which are truly descended from the style of free-standing Aśokan pillars, but here at Bedsā the two pillars are not free-standing but incorporated in the architecture of the portico between the pilasters on either side. They serve the architectural function of supporting on their capitals very large front beam and joists of the verandah, all no doubt cut in rock after wooden prototype.