Indian Architecture (Buddhist and Hindu Periods) c18.7

c18.7

No examples of the *santhagara* have survived, but it appears as a very early institution in Indian village life.² From descriptions in the ancient texts, it was a structure specially built in order to enable the elders of the community to meet and settle matters relating to their social and economic intercourse. It was probably the only public building in the village, and took the form of a flat-roofed open edifice without walls, so planned that the deliberations within might be visible to, and shared by, the public outside. Persons taking part in the proceedings were seated in a specified order, with the president occupying "the chair" in the middle. It is not difficult to trace these conditions in the temple of Ladh Khan. The pillars of the open exterior are still visible, but are now converted into pilasters, as the [Figure: Fig. 1 Ajanta, Chaitya-hall No. 26, c. 6th cent. A.D.]