The Antiquities of Orissa v1.c5: Preface
The Antiquities of Orissa v1.c5
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Preface
v1.c5.1
In 1868, the Government of India, at the suggestion of the Royal Society of Arts, London, assigned a large sum of money for the purpose of obtaining casts of some of the more important sculptures of ancient India. To carry out this object, a part of the sum was made over to the Government of Bengal, leaving it to make its own selection of the subjects, which it might think were likely to be the most interesting, and best calculated to fulfil the object of the Government. In connexion with this grant, I suggested, in reply to an enquiry of Sir William Grey, then Lieutenant-Governor of Bengal, that the party of modellers and moulders which the Government was then about to send to Orissa, should proceed to Bhuvaneśvara, where it would find the oldest and most interesting specimens of Hindu architectural ornament, and added that it would be well to depute along with it a person familiar with Indian antiquarian remains, so that some historical and descriptive accounts might be secured of the several monuments from which casts would be taken. My suggestions were approved by the Bengal Government, and I was directed to accompany, as archaeologist, the party of moulders, draftsmen and photographers which was sent down to Bhuvaneśvara in the winter of 1868-69. The following pages are the result of my labours in connexion with this mission.
v1.c5.2
In prosecuting my researches I had a two-fold object in view; in the first place to carry out the directions of the late Lord Canning, as laid down in his memorable resolution on the antiquities of India, that is to say, to secure “an accurate description,—illustrated by plans, measurements, drawings, or photographs, and by copies of inscriptions—of such remains as most deserve notice, with the history of them so far as it may be traceable, and a record of the traditions that are retained regarding them”; and in the second place to notice permanently such points in them as were calculated to throw any special light on the social history of the ages to which they referred. For this purpose, Sir Gardner Wilkinson’s learned work on the *Ancient Egyptians* has served me for a guide.
v1.c5.3
With a view to avoid repetitions and references to fragmentary remarks interspersed under different heads, the work has been divided into two parts; the first comprising general observations on the nature and character of the objects noticed; and the second, detailed descriptions of those objects; the former embracing only those characters which are common to particular classes, and the latter the peculiarities of individual relics. Thus, in the Introduction, an attempt has been made to put together the information available regarding Orissa in ancient authors, reserving notices of particular localities for treatment under their respective heads; so in the first Chapter, the history of Indian architecture has been discussed without reference to the dates of the different caves and temples which constitute the principal subjects of description. In the second Chapter I have given a brief summary of the general principles of Orissan temple architecture, apart from special characteristics of any particular temple. The third has for its subject sculpture and architectural ornamentation, so far as the same can be illustrated from objects now extant. In the fourth I have attempted a sketch of the social condition of the temple-builders of Orissa from their sculptural decorations. The fifth Chapter comprises an outline of the history of the several systems of religion which have influenced the growth of Orissan art.
v1.c5.4
In the second volume, the first Chapter has been devoted to the antiquities of the Khaṇḍagiri Hills; the second to the temples of Bhuvaneśvara; the third to those of Puri; the fourth to those of Koṇārak and Satyabādi; and the fifth to those of Darpaṇa, Jājapur, Ālti and other places of minor importance.
v1.c5.5
In the course of compiling this work I have derived assistance from several gentlemen, to whom I wish to avail myself of the present opportunity publicly to tender my thanks. H. H. Locke, Esq., Principal of the Calcutta School of Art, has helped me most materially in a variety of ways. When I was proceeding on my tour, he placed at my disposal the services of one of his best pupils, Annadāprasād Bāgcī, who accompanied me to Orissa, and took sketches and plans of a large number of interesting objects. On the return of the mission from Orissa, Mr. Locke caused drawings to be prepared of all the casts that had been brought to Calcutta, and allowed me free access to them. Most of the lithographic illustrations of this work have been prepared by his pupils, and the labour and trouble he has undergone in superintending their execution have been immense. Some of the illustrations could not be satisfactorily executed from the drawings and plans which I had brought, and he had, therefore, to get models prepared by his pupils, and finish the illustrations from photographs taken from those models. He also placed at my disposal a series of ground plans of Udayagiri caves which he had prepared for his own use, and allowed me access to his splendid collection of photographs of Orissan antiquities. He has been, moreover, in frequent correspondence with me regarding the text, the greater part of which he has read in proof with a view fully to discuss the several questions raised in it. The suggestions and hints which he has afforded me in course of this correspondence, have enabled me to avoid many errors and mistakes which would have otherwise disfigured the pages of this work. The assistance was rendered often under very trying circumstances—while labouring under ill-health, or overwhelmed with official work; and I feel deeply grateful to him for the same. In justice to him, and to prevent misconception, I must add, however, that though I have freely consulted him in all matters in which I had doubts, and derived much benefit from his advice, the opinions expressed in this work are entirely my own, and it is possible that he may differ from at least some of them.
v1.c5.6
The printing of most of the lithographs has been done under the superintendence of Captain J. Waterhouse, R. E., Surveyor General of India, and my acknowledgements are specially due to him for the collotypes of the Udayagiri friezes which he very obligingly prepared for me.
v1.c5.7
My thanks are also due to H. C. Levinge, Esq., Superintending Engineer of the Behar Irrigation Works, for a set of eighteen negatives, several of which have been used in the illustration of this work. To John Beames, Esq., C. S., Collector of Cuttack, and Joseph Armstrong, Esq., C. S., Collector of Puri, I owe the originals from which the maps of Cuttack and Puri have been printed; and I am also indebted to Babu Raṅgalāla Banurji, Deputy Magistrate, Cuttack, the Honorable Kristodas Pāl and Bābu Pratāpacandra Ghosha for much valuable assistance and information.
v1.c5.8
Owing to my protracted indisposition, to the paucity of competent lithographers in Calcutta, and to other causes which it is needless here to recount, the publication of this work has been greatly delayed. Even now it can be brought out only in parts. This I regret much, though I believe that apology is unnecessary where there is no probability of complaint.