Indian Architecture (Buddhist and Hindu Periods) c44.7

c44.7

Before referring specifically to the buildings illustrating these periods, the various types of structure peculiar to the architecture of Siam may be defined. As with most Buddhist sites, these consist of a group of buildings including the temple (*Vat* or *Wat*), a stupa (*P'ra*), a monastery (*vihara*), a consecration hall (*bot*), and the usual additional edifices for service purposes. Occasionally, and only connected with the imperial places of worship or chapels royal (*prakeo*), there is a *chattamukh* (chaumukh, or shrine of four images), and a *mandob* (*mandapa*) a large open hall. Of these different buildings, the stupa, in its Siamese form, is the most distinctive, and is of two kinds (a) the *p'ra-jedi* and (b) the *p'ra-prang* These are apparently derived from two separate traditions, the p'ra-jedi being circular in plan, and the p'ra-prang being rectangular, and accordingly the former has its origin attributed to the Indian stupa, while the latter has been traced to the spire or sikhara of the Indian temple in the Indo-Aryan style. That the p'ra-jedi is a Siamese development of the stupa is quite clear, as the circular plan, and the bell-shaped element in its superstructure are ample proof, but its tapering elongation and finial have removed it far from the original tumulus or mound. Yet as with the stupa, the p'ra-jedi is a solid structure with no interior compartments, and is venerated, like the Crucifix in Christendom, as the most sacred symbol of the Buddhist faith. The derivation of the p'ra-prang is not so certain, but it has much the same significance and sanctity as the p'ra-jedi, although it differs structurally inasmuch as it may include an alcove or cella within its interior. Of the same tall aspiring shape, yet instead of the tapering finial it terminates at its apex in a rounded or domical form, thus recalling in this respect the amala-sila crowning the sikharas of the Brahmanical temple type.