Indian Architecture (Buddhist and Hindu Periods) c12.22

c12.22

Taking the chaitya hall of Bhaja first, as undoubtedly representing the initial effort, this example is singularly instructive (Plate XXII, Fig. 1). The entrance, and facade generally, owing to the action of time, and the climate, have now become a great open archway, bringing the entire interior of the hall into view. Such, however, was no more the designer’s intention than would be a Gothic church with its west front removed. Originally the whole of the open space was filled in with a highly finished and appropriate wooden construction, which completely screened the lower portion, and affected to no little extent the appearance of the upper parts of the facade From the shape and position of the mortice holes, aided by decorative representations in the bas-reliefs, it is possible to reconstruct the scheme of this wooden frontage. The simple but substantial framework on which it was built took the form of a letter H, the two uprights fitting into each side of the rock-cut archway, the cross-piece being a horizontal beam connecting them and holding them into position. The lower half was then filled in by a screen containing one central and two side doorways, while above the cross-beam was projected a hanging balcony supported on four pillars, the whole constituting a spacious and elegant portico. The facade of wood was ornamented in the same manner as the rock-cut oriels still existing on each side, with lattices and brackets in keeping with the remainder of the scheme. There is little doubt that this timber and rock conception was an architectural composition of considerable merit, ingenious in its construction, and not lacking in artistic effect.