[Pramāṇa](https://indike.org/pramana/) › [Studies](https://indike.org/pramana/ins) › [Architecture and art](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.art) › [Indian Art: A History of Indian Art from the Earliest Times up to the Third Century A.D.](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.art.agrawala-1965) › c8.8 # Indian Art: A History of Indian Art from the Earliest Times up to the Third Century A.D. c8.8 Indian Art: A History of Indian Art from the Earliest Times up to the Third Century A.D. c8.8 - **Language:** English ### [c8.8](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.art.agrawala-1965.c8.8) HOUSE-BUILDING—Building art was quite evolved, as shown by terms about architectural lay-out and the several parts of a building pillar as the main support of a building was called \*Skambha\*. Indra is \*Skabhīyān\*, best possessor of pillars (RV. X. 111. 5). The building was measured out (\*dhāma mame\*) and supported on pillars (\*skambhena adhāryat\*, RV. VIII. 41, 10). There is a reference to three pillars made stable in their foundations which gives a good picture of a vaulted or conical roof (\*Trayaḥ skambhāsaḥ skabhitāsaḥ\*, RV. I. 34. 2). The foundation is called \*Dharuṇa\* on which the pillar was raised (\*Skambhaṁ dharuṇe\* RV. X. 44. 4). A big pillar was praised as \*Mahat Skambha\* (RV. VI. 47. 5), having a tall shaft (\*Varshman\*, R. V. III. 8. 3), raised aloft (\*Urdhvamtiṣṭha\*, RV. III. 8. 1) and considered to be an emblem of universal prosperity (\*Uchchhrayasva mahate Saubhgāya\*, RV. III. 8. 2) as a \*Yūpa\* or Indra’s Banner. The word \*stabhanāt\* has been used for a pillar (\*Skambhanena stabhanāt\*, RV. VI. 47. 5), giving the later word \*Stambha\*. Expert wood-workers went to the forest, selected the stately tree and felled it with their axes (\*Vanaspate Svadhitistataksha\*, RV. III. 8. 6.). - [Previous: c8.7](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.art.agrawala-1965.c8.7) - [Next: c8.9](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.art.agrawala-1965.c8.9) - [Up: c8](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.art.agrawala-1965.c8) ## Cites (1) - [Ṛgvedasaṃhitā](https://indike.org/pramana/in.veda.samhita.rg.1.34.2) — Sanskrit --- Source: [https://indike.org/pramana/ins.art.agrawala-1965.c8.8](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.art.agrawala-1965.c8.8) · Pramāṇa