Indian Architecture (Buddhist and Hindu Periods) c40.9

c40.9

It was during the Mulla ascendency that the three capitals previously mentioned came into being, and it is possible to visualize the manner in which these gradually evolved. First the residential palace for the ruler was located, with an adjacent Durbar Square, consisting of a paved open space for ceremonial occasions Around this were arranged the administrative buildings the whole forming an enclave reserved for governmental purposes. From this focal point streets radiated irregularly to supplementary squares each marking a quarter, or ward, known as *tols*, wherein a certain class of citizens resided and carried on their business. There is however little evidence of town-planning in this system, the fortuitous manner in which these lesser squares were placed in relation to the Durbar Square, and their unmethodical approaches, form one of the picturesque characteristics of these royal townships. In the course of time even this apparent attempt at orderliness has been lost, but the foregoing was obviously the general principle on which they were first laid out. Such is the present aspect of these architectural complexes, and it has been observed that “Nepal is still an authentic replica of an India that has disappeared”¹ Up to a certain point this is a correct appreciation of the concentrations of building art in the valley, but Nepal’s geographical position is such that certain factors exist in its architecture, which are not found in India The influence from India has already been explained, but on the opposite borders of the country are the immense and powerful civilizations of China and Tibet, which at certain periods, owing to political and other circumstances, affected not a little the outlook of its people. In its broad aspect this contact, especially that of Tibet, brought into the art of the Newars a certain Lamaistic quality, a mysticism and symbolism due to the elemental nature of thought in that country, conceptions inspired and stimulated by its great heights and empty spaciousness But on its architecture the pylonic buildings of Tibet had little influence, the Newars were not impressed by the plain surfaces and sloping lines and planes of the monasteries or temples of the Lamas as their productions amply testify, their natures cried out for elaboration and detail. On the other hand there are definite indications that what may be termed the “pagoda” motif, that dominating feature in the building art of the Far East, was readily accepted by the Nepalese builders, and much of the architecture of the valley takes after this pattern. To sum up, regarded as a whole the structures of Nepal notably those of a sectarian ascription fall into two categories, those of the “sikhara” variety clearly derived from the style of temple favoured in India, and those of the multiple roof design associated with the pagodas of China, the former being mainly constructed of masonry, while the latter are largely composed of wood.