Indian Architecture (Buddhist and Hindu Periods) c44.8

c44.8

Turning to the three historical periods into which it is proposed the architectural development of Siam might be resolved, the first of these, the Dvaravati, is so designated as it was the name of an ancient kingdom situated between the countries corresponding at the present time to Burma on the one hand and Cambodia on the other. Of this kingdom the principal inhabitants were of the Mon race from lower Burma, who having accepted Buddhism from India, brought this and the culture which accompanied it to Dvaravati. Except the few sculptures that have survived of this period and described as "based on Gupta models"¹ the remains of this civilization, particularly in the sphere of the building art, are rare. Those discovered consist of fragmentary remains of buildings, chiefly foundations, which although they may give some idea of the plans of these structures, their architectural style is unknown. Composed of laterite or moulded brick, these plinths evidently supported superstructures of timber, while for the reception of the wooden pillars, granite bases were provided with mortice holes in which they were socketed. A small model found at Kedah recalls the system of roofs reproduced in the group of monolithic temples at Mamallapuram (Madras, 7th cent.), for example those of the rathas of Bhima and of Ganesha Such evidence implies a southern approach by sea through Malaya, which may have brought with it contributions from Southern India, as for instance from Amravati (Andhra, second to seventh centuries), Pallava (seventh century) and also by means of currents of Sinhalese art from Ceylon. Further traces of an early Indian penetration have been found at P'ong Tuk, a site about one hundred miles northwest of Bangkok. Here also only the foundations remain of a rectangular and a circular building, identified as a temple and a stupa respectively, the former having an entrance at one end with projections and recessed chases at the sides, very similar to the plans of ancient shrines in India. Also of interest are the profiles of the laterite stylobates which have mouldings of much the same characteristic section as those in many Buddhist buildings from Ceylon to Kashmir of the first millennium.² There are other remains of the Dvaravati period, as may be seen in a bell-shaped structure or stupa at P'rapatom, presumed to date from the fifth century, as well as in the foundations of the Maha Tat temple at the ancient and historical town of Lavo (Lopburi), possibly of the seventh century. All these records of this early kingdom in Siam serve to confirm either a direct or indirect association with India, chiefly through Buddhist influences.