Indian Architecture (Buddhist and Hindu Periods) c39.55

c39.55

(Singhapurā). This region, in the early centuries of the Christian era, appears to have been more or less an independent country until the seventh century, when it was absorbed into the territory of Kashmir. Its architecture links up the style of Gandhara with that of Kashmir, and exhibits some of the affinities of each. Yet these temples differ in character sufficiently to form themselves into three sub-groups, such as (*a*) those at Amb, Katas, Malot and Nandna in the Jhelum district, Punjab, (*b*) several at Bilot and (*c*) others at Kafir Kot, both the last named being on the river Indus in the North West Frontier Province All these temples are square in plan, rising up into a sikhara or tower, and containing a square cella, but the architectural treatment of this structural foundation, which is common to all, shows numerous variations. Those of the first group are more nearly related to the Kashmir style, of which the example at Malot is the most typical. (Plate CXXXIX, Fig. 2). This temple which is built of sandstone, appears to have consisted of a central square shrine with its entrance on the east, and a separate gateway also on the east, so it may be assumed that the whole was surrounded by an enclosed courtyard in the manner of those in Kashmir. Both the shrine and the gateway were surmounted by pyramidal roofs, while the sides of the former were composed of recessed bays having trefoil arches above. The whole of the recess formed by each of these trefoiled bays is occupied by a carved motif, in high relief, a copy to a reduced scale of the actual temple it decorates, with a trefoiled arched niche like an altar at its base, the entire conception being an illustration of form and ornament developing out of the construction. The entrance to the shrine projects so as to include a vestibule, and the portal is a very elegant composition, formed of a trefoil arch supported on a fluted column engaged on each side. The size of this temple is 30 feet square while the addition of the portico makes its length 37 feet, the cella being 18 feet in diameter, and its height when complete about 50 feet. Although its style is obviously influenced by that of Kashmir, there is an originality in the architectural treatment of this temple which betokens the presence in the locality, at the time, of a group of workmen of a superior order.