Essay on the Architecture of the Hindus c4.10

Language: English

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The first chapter treats of the measures used in architecture, sculpture, carpentry, &c ; the second describes the qualification of a *Silpi*, and gives a brief account of the origin of the five different classes of artists, said to have been descended from *Viswacarma*, and to have followed respectively the occupations of sculptors, joiners, braziers, jewellers, and blacksmiths. The third, fourth, and fifth chapters explain the nature and qualities of the soil on which buildings should be erected—such as temples, palaces, and private dwelling-houses for the several classes of people The sixth contains rules and directions for constructing a gnomon, for the purpose of determining the several points of the compass. The seventh treats of the parts into which the ground-plan of the cities, towns, temples, palaces and houses should be divided The eighth chapter gives a minute description of sacrifices and other devotional rites, to be performed on various occasions in the building of temples, houses, &c. The ninth chapter treats of villages and towns, and prescribes rules for the formation of streets, and the allotment of fit places for the erection of temples, and for the residence of the different classes of people.

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The tenth contains a description of the different sorts of cities, the eleventh treats of the dimensions of the several sorts of edifices, the twelfth of the *Garbhavinyása*, or laying the foundation-stone in the centre of the intended building, the thirteenth of *Upapít'has* or pedestals, the fourteenth of *Adhisthána* or basement; the fifteenth of the several species of pillars, with their respective dimensions, the sixteenth of *Prastaras* or entablature, the seventeenth of the junction of the several parts of timber work, with reference to their points, the eighteenth of *Vimánas*, temples, or palaces in general. Twelve successive chapters, from the nineteenth to the twenty-eighth, contain descriptions of temples surmounted by pyramidal domes, consisting of from one to twelve stories, with their respective dimensions The twenty-ninth chapter treats of *Prácáras* or outer courts of temples; the thirtieth of the attendant deities, and the parts respectively assigned to each within the walls of the temple, the thirty-first of *Gópuras* or pyramidal buildings, or turrets raised over the gateways leading into the temples; the thirty-second of *Mantapás* or porticoes, or resting-places for the deity, the thirty-third of *Sálas* or halls, the thirty-fourth of cities, the thirty-fifth of private dwelling-houses, the thirty-sixth and thirty-seventh of gates and doorways, with their dimensions; the thirty-eighth and thirty-ninth of the palaces and their appendages;

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the fortieth of princes with their titles, the forty-first of the building of cars and other vehicles of the gods; the forty-second of couches, cushions, and the like; the forty-third of the thrones for the gods and for princes; the forty-fourth of ornamental arches, the forty-fifth of the *Calpataru* or the all-productive tree, which is supposed ture, &c.; the different sites to be selected for buiding temples and houses; the mode of determining the different points of the compass; the several sorts of villages, towns, and cities, with directions for building them; the different parts of an edifice, its ornaments, pedestals, bases, pillars, entablatures, &c; the various sorts of temples, consisting of from one to twelve stories high, the construction of *mantapas* or porticoes, gates, and doorways, palaces, &c. &c. The remainder of the work appears to contain ample information respecting the whole process in the construction of images, and of cars and other vehicles in which the gods are carried in procession; but these subjects are more immediately connected with sculpture and carpentry than with architecture. It may be proper to notice, however, that a considerable portion of the whole is occupied with a minute description of the mysteries, rites, and sacrifices to be performed on various occasions, in the building of temples, houses, villages, towns, and cities; the ceremonies attending the consecration of images;

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the mode of determining the propitious moment for commencing to lay the foundation of an edifice, as well as rules for predicting the future prosperity of him who causes the edifice to be raised, by the aspect of the stars, the situation of the building with respect to the cardinal points, and other astrological devices.