History of Indian and Eastern Architecture v2.c25.12

v2.c25.12

The style was adopted by the Jains, and several examples of the peculiar forms of their vimânas, or sikharas have already been given (Woodcuts Nos. 290, 299, etc.); but it still remains to be ascertained from what original form the curvilinear square tower could have arisen. There is nothing in Buddhist, or any other art, at all like it. It does not seem to have been derived from any wooden form we know, nor from any brick or stone, or tile mode of roofing found anywhere else. I have looked longer, and, perhaps, thought more, on this problem than on any other of its class connected with Indian architecture, but I have no more plausible suggestion to offer than that hinted at above. The real solution will probably be found in the accidental discovery of old temples—so old as to betray in their primitive rudeness the secret we are now guessing at in vain. Meanwhile, we probably may remain sure that it was not an imported form, but an indigenous production, and that it has no connection with the architecture of any other people outside of India.