History of Indian and Eastern Architecture v1.c19.s9.6

v1.c19.s9.6

The three outer enclosures have nothing very remarkable in them, being generally occupied by the Brâhmans and persons connected with the temple. Each, however, has, or was intended to have, four gopurams, one on each face, the superstructures are of brick, and some of these are ornamented in plaster of considerable magnificence. The outer enclosure is, practically, a bazaar, filled with shops, where pilgrims are lodged, and fed, and fleeced. The wall that encloses it measures 2,521 ft. by 2,865 ft.,² and, had its gopurams been finished, they would have surpassed all others in the south to the same extent as these dimensions exceed those of any other known temple. The unfinished southern gopuram, leading to the river and Trichinopoly, measures 130 ft. in width by 100 ft. in depth; the opening through it measures 21 ft. 6 in., and twice that in height. The four jambs or gateposts are each of a single slab of granite, more than 40 ft. in height, and the roofing-slabs throughout measure from 23 ft. to 24 ft. Had the ordinary brick pyramid of the usual proportion been added to this, the whole would have risen to a height of nearly 300 ft. Even as it is, it is one of the most imposing masses in southern India, and probably — perhaps because it never was quite finished—it is in severe and good taste throughout.¹ Its date, fortunately, is perfectly well known, as its progress was stopped by its being occupied and fortified by the French during our ten years’ struggle with them for the possession of Trichinopoly; and if we allow fifty years for its progress, even this would bring the whole within the limits of the 18th century. The other three gopurams of this enclosure are in the same style, and were commenced on the same scale, but not being so far advanced when the work was stopped, their gateposts project above their walls in a manner that gives them a very singular appearance, and has led to some strange theories as to their design.