Indian Architecture (Buddhist and Hindu Periods) c39.26

c39.26

Appearing not much later than the first examples of the Buddhist structures, the other form of architectural development, consisting of the temples and shrines of the Brahmans, continued to be produced over a longer period, for at least five centuries. All these Brahmanical buildings are considerably ruined, but not to the extent of those of the Buddhists, so that their appearance, when intact, can be readily conjectured. From the design of these mediaeval temples of Kashmır, it is clear that the creed of that country differed in its ceremonial from that in most parts of India. The temple of the valley included in its scheme no assembly hall but consisted of a main central shrine, or sanctuary, and to this, with the divinity in its cella, the devout paid their homage. This central building was isolated within a rectangular courtyard surrounded by a cellular peristyle, with a large gateway giving admission to the sacred enclosure on its front side. It will be seen therefore that the composition, as a whole, appertains more to a central tabernacle, or sanctuary for the accommodation of the deity, than a place for congregational worship. In this respect and also in others, the conception of the Brahmanical temple in Kashmir seems to have taken some of its character and arrangements from the stupa-courts of the Buddhists monasteries of Gandhara Moreover, in its architectural treatment, it appears to have derived little from that important development of temple building which at this time was taking place in Hindustan. There is no sign of the Indo-Aryan mode in its structure, nothing of the sikhara nor of the columned hall ; the Kashmır temple, to all intents and purposes, is a manifestation of an independent ideal.