Indian Architecture (Buddhist and Hindu Periods) c38.9

c38.9

As already mentioned the Southern Bengal development, chiefly illustrated by temples in the districts of Bankura and Burdwan, resolves itself into two distinctive types, one of which is allied to the Orissan movement, and the other is a self-originated mode, expressive of the people and their environment. The former are built mainly of stone masonry and, as in the Khiching pattern are isolated towers or sikharas enclosing a cella for the image or symbol. Designed on the same principle as those of Bhubaneswar, but usually smaller in size, their height is approximately three and a half times the diameter of their square plan, while their elevation is in two stories, divided by a decisive double cornice, the relation between the lower and upper portions being in pleasing proportion On three sides of the lower story are openings in the shape of elegant niches, while the front has a projecting doorway, but no outstanding portico In one or two instances however a *mukhamandapa* may have been provided but which in the course of time has disappeared. As the scheme of these sikharas is one of verticality, mouldings of a lateral order provide the principal decoration, the skilful combination of the two contrasting elements presenting an attractive appearance to the entire composition. These shrines are sometimes found in groups as at Barakar in the Burdwan district, one of which, enumerated IV, owing to its outline and proportions bearing a resemblance to the sikhara of the Parasrameswar temple at Bhubaneswar is presumed to be of somewhat the same date, namely the eighth century, but is more likely much later. Locally known as the Begunia group owing to a fancied resemblance to the fruit of the egg plant, (*begun*), they are probably of the Pala period and therefore of the ninth and tenth centuries.¹ Among other examples of this class is the temple of Telkupi in the Manbhum district of Bihar, but undoubtedly the most ornate, is the Siddheswara Temple at Bahulara in the Bankura district of the tenth century Built of brick enriched with terracotta reliefs carried over its entire surface, yet this profusion of pattern does not offend, it serves to emphasize its graceful lines Numerous other temples of this order are to be found distributed throughout South-Western Bengal and in the Manbhum district of Bihar, all apparently built while the Pala Dynasty was in power and therefore dating between the eighth and eleventh centuries