Indian Architecture (Buddhist and Hindu Periods) c31.5

c31.5

Unfortunately many of the finest buildings are in ruins, while in some instances they have been almost entirely obliterated Apart from the disintegrating influences of time and climate, spoliation by the Muslim conquerors when the country definitely came under their rule at the end of the thirteenth century, accounted for the complete dismemberment of several of the largest and richest temples to provide materials for their mosques Much later, at the beginning of the nineteenth century, a devastating earthquake, with its epicentre in Kathiawar, wrought indescribable havoc over Western India, reducing to their present damaged state those buildings which age and the invaders had spared. Its one time splendours of sculptured stone have therefore in too many instances been reduced to crumbling piles of broken and shapeless masonry, but from these remains, and other buildings still preserved, it is clear that the Gujarati craftsmen had inherited an artistic capacity, rich and deep, and their productions are ripe examples of this innate architectural genius. In the preparation of these monuments they received the support and patronage of the people to the fullest extent, for not satisfied with mere stone, the growing opulence of the inhabitants was poured out into the erection of temples built entirely of white marble, having every surface