The Antiquities of Orissa v1.c7.310.3

v1.c7.310.3

still there is no change perceptible in Nepalese architecture indicative of a European amalgamation. The Kashmiris and the Afghans have proved equally conservative, and so have the Burmese. But to turn from their neighbours, to the people of Hindustan: these have had intimate intercourse with Europeans now for over three hundred years, and enjoyed the blessings of English rule for over a century, and yet they have not produced a single temple built in the Saxon, or any other European style. Thus the conclusion we are called upon to accept is that what has not been accomplished by the intimate intercourse of three centuries, and the absolute sovereignty of a century, in these days of railways, and electric telegraphs, and mass education, was effected by the Greeks two thousand years ago simply by living as distant neighbours for eighty years or so. Doubtless private speculators, coming in search of work, could afford a supply of architects to Aśoka even when he would not send for any; but no more would architects and masons go to a place for work where stone and brick houses were unknown, and therefore not in demand than Rosa Bonheur or Landseer think of opening a studio in the capital of Dahomey.