Indian Architecture (Buddhist and Hindu Periods) c9.6

c9.6

Megasthenes' too brief account of the civic architecture of his time is amplified by material derived from another and entirely different source, namely the pictures of various historic towns carved in bas-relief on the Buddhist monuments, which although produced a little later are no doubt substantially representative of the building art at this period. On the Sanchi gateways as backgrounds to battles and processions, there may be seen portions of such famous cities as Kapilavastu the place of the Buddha's birth, Kusinagara under the walls of which was waged the "War of the Relics," Uruvilva the scene of the serpent miracle, and Rajgriha, the old Magadhan capital. All these towns appear to be of one established type, strongly fortified and surrounded by high walls having battlements with the merlons corbel-stepped after the manner of those in the Assyrian bas-reliefs. Outside is a moat in which the sculptor with an artist's eye has floated lotus and other aquatic plants, while the whole is enclosed within the usual railing palisade. Specially noticeable are the city gates all of which are designed in much the same style, that of the main entrance to Kusinagara carved on the south torana at Sanchi being so carefully delineated and in such detail that it is possible to reproduce it in perspective, together with its surroundings, as shown in the Frontispiece. The bas-relief shows a tall entrance pylon, with the gateway defended by a square bastion projecting on each side, the whole of a very serviceable nature yet not devoid of architectural effect. Near the gateway is what seems to be a formidable angle-tower, while overhanging the walls are pillared balconies, loggias, railed balustrades and "magic casements" which give an excellent idea of the romantic character of the Buddhist sacred cities. No reference to these pictures in stone at Sanchi would be complete without a remark on the figure subjects to which the architecture forms only an artistic setting. For instance the royal procession issuing from the gates at Kusinagara with the emperor Bimbisara at its head might have been the source of inspiration for Blake's lines in the "Song of Liberty" "The jealous King, his grey-brow'd councillors, thund'rous warriors, curl'd veterans, among helms, and shields, and chariots, horses, elephants, banners, castles, slings, and rocks"