The Ancient and Medieval Architecture of India: A Study of Indo-Aryan Civilisation c15.43

c15.43

The application of this symbolism explains all the forms of roofs which covered the holy of holies in Indian temples. Even in Gandhara and in the adjoining districts influenced by Gandharan art the construction of roofs is never a meaningless reproduction of foreign forms, but a well-reasoned adaptation of them to Indian philosophic ideas. The remains of Gandharan buildings in Gandhara itself have only an archæological interest; but when Indian master-builders had assimilated and revitalised the emasculated Aryan tradition brought by the Græco-Roman craftsmen, Indo-Gandharan art became really great, both in sculpture and in building—as even modern departmental art may become when the lessons of history have been learnt by Anglo-India.