The Antiquities of Orissa v1.c7.284

v1.c7.284

The ancient monuments of Orissa may be described under the two heads of Buddhist and Hindu. From what has been observed in the introduction it may be easily inferred that the former are by far the oldest, though in extent and quality they yield to their successors. They are to be met with in tolerable preservation on the Khaṇḍagiri hills near Bhuvaneśvara, and in mutilated fragments in the districts of Cuttack and Balasore. The Hindu remains are scattered all over the province. They are of very much the same character everywhere, and the description of one group of them would, *mutatis mutandis*, suffice for all the others. It is desirable, therefore, both for the convenience of the reader, and to avoid repetition, to describe, under one general head, such parts of their details as are common to several, and to reserve their especial peculiarities for separate treatment. And inasmuch as these monuments consist principally of architectural remains, and some of the Buddhist relics rank with the oldest that have yet been met with in India, a few remarks seem necessary on the age when architecture proper was first learnt by the Indian Aryans, and the different styles it has since assumed in different parts of the country. A diversity of opinion now prevails on the subject, and, though we are not competent to restore the true historical framework we think it would not be out of place if we noticed here the most salient points at issue, as far as our knowledge will admit of, in order that the course of future research may not be trammelled by the rut of any beaten track.