Indian Architecture (Buddhist and Hindu Periods) c11.11

c11.11

The erection of substantial stone railings to enclose the sacred portions of stupas and shrines was not, however, the only elaboration effected in these structures. Entrances, particularly of religious buildings have been regarded in several of the great historical style as architectural features pre-eminently suitable for ornamental treatment, and the openings in the stupa railing through which admission was obtained to the ambulatory were an invitation to add some kind of imposing gateway to the scheme. This took the form of a *torana* (Skt. from *tor*, a pass) a special kind of entrance archway designed on the same principle as the wood and bamboo portcullis to the Vedic village, (Plate I, Figs. 1 and 2.) From its not infrequent appearance in the bas-reliefs the torana seem to have been accepted as the traditional type of ceremonial portal, so that it was an appropriate addition to the Buddhist sanctuary. The earliest known torana is that which formed the entrance to the eastern side of the Barhut stupa, the only surviving example of four similar gateways, and it bears an inscription stating that it was "built during the reign of the Sungas" (184-72 B.C.). In the composition of this structure as a whole, as well as in some of its elements, there are indications that it was the production of workmen, who had been in contact with Hellenistic and other foreign schools. Kharoshti letters engraved as mason's marks on the stone suggest that some of its character may be ascribed to sculptors from the north-west of India, but on the other hand it is just as likely that it was a heritage of the quarry workshop that Asoka had established at Chunar, not so far distant. As evidence of the alien attribution there are fluted bell-capitals of the Persepolitan order, with addorsed gryphons above and the frequent use of the Hellenistic honeysuckle motif, specially noticeable in the large spreading acroteria forming its apex. Some of the figured balusters between the architraves of this gateway are small scale copies of the colossal statues of the Asokan period, a reminiscence perhaps of the atlantean supports in the columned hall of the Mauryan palace at Pataliputra. Such are a few of the characteristics of the Barhut torana, but although the oldest example of the style and displaying much that is artistic and instructive, it is entirely eclipsed by a series of similar gateways of a richer and far more impressive design which were shortly afterwards erected at Sanchi. (Plate XV.)