The Antiquities of Orissa v1.c7.283

v1.c7.283

Indian Architecture. Absence of architectural remains in India of a very remote age. Opinions of Wheeler, Fergusson, and Mrs. Manning about the antiquity of Indian Architecture. Arguments in favour of such opinions. Such arguments not conclusive. Reasons why old remains are wanting. Grecian architecture. Pillars of Aśoka; they indicate the existence of architecture before the time of Aśoka. Untenability of the Bactro-Grecian, Egyptian, Assyrian, and Persian theories. Notices of architecture in Pāṇini, the *Mahābhārata*, the *Rāmāyaṇa*, and the *Ṛgveda*. Wilson's opinion. Conventionalism in architecture. Tamulian origin of Indian architecture discussed. Classification. Sanskrit works on architecture.