History of Indian and Eastern Architecture v2.c24.s8.27

v2.c24.s8.27

There seems very little doubt that more examples of this age and style exist in Rajputana and Central India. At Gyâraspur, 24 miles north-east from Bhilsâ, and 140 miles south-west from this, there is a group of pillars arranged like these and like them deprived of their walls (Woodcut No. 293). In the Mukandwâra pass there is a third example, but of much earlier date.¹ Was it that their walls were of burnt bricks or of small square stones which, being easily removed, were utilised? My impression is, the latter was the case; but be this as it may, these Gyâraspur pillars are possibly also the remains of a Jaina edifice, but of an age considerably more modern than the Ghantai. They can hardly under any circumstances be ascribed to an age anterior to the great revival in the 10th century, and may not improbably belong to the 12th century. In the same town of Gyâraspur is a very grand old temple apparently of about the same age as these pillars. But it has been so ruined and repaired, and almost rebuilt, that it is extremely difficult to say what the form or purpose of the original erection may have been. There is also a toran of great beauty in the village, probably of the 11th century, and in fact throughout this region there are numberless remains which, if scientifically examined, would probably suffice to fill up some of the largest gaps in our history.