[Pramāṇa](https://indike.org/pramana/) › [Studies](https://indike.org/pramana/ins) › [Architecture and art](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.art) › [Essay on the Architecture of the Hindus](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.art.raz-1834) › c4.s2 # Essay on the Architecture of the Hindus c4.s2: Of Bases Essay on the Architecture of the Hindus c4.s2 - **Language:** English ### Of Bases ### [c4.s2.1](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.art.raz-1834.c4.s2.1) The height of a base is equal to either a half, three-quarters, or a whole diameter of the shaft. When placed under pillars of an inferior sort, in porticoes and the like, and without a pedestal, its height is stated to be one-fourth, or one-third of that of the whole pillar. To bases, or rather basements, raised under pilasters in \*vimánas\*, &c., \*Mánasára\* gives twelve different heights, to be used in so many different stories one above another; the first height consisting of thirty \*angulas\*, and the last of four \*hastas\*, each of the intermediate ones being increased in the proportion of six \*angulas\*. The same author also prescribes the heights of pedestals to be constructed in the houses of the several classes, as follows: Brahmans should have them of four \*hastas\*; \*C'shetriyas\*, of three; \*Vaisyas\*, of two; and \*Súdras\*, of one \*hasta\*. The remaining parts of this chapter enumerate, at much length, the proportions of the component parts of no less than sixty-four different sorts of bases, under various denominations, as \*prati bandha\*, \*ecabandha\*, \*praticrama pushpapushacala\*, \*sribandha\*, \*manchabandha\*, \*srénibandha\*, &c. &c.; but as it would be extremely tedious to repeat in detail the measures of the different members of each sort, I pass them over here, referring the reader to Plates II. and III., which contain designs of twenty-eight sorts of bases, with the heights and projections of all their parts therein notified. ## Linked texts (1) - [Mānasāra](https://indike.org/pramana/in.art.silpa.dravida.manasara) — Sanskrit --- Source: [https://indike.org/pramana/ins.art.raz-1834.c4.s2](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.art.raz-1834.c4.s2) · Pramāṇa