Vastu-shastra (Vol. I: Hindu Science of Architecture; Vol. II: Hindu Canons of Iconography and Painting) v1.c53.62

v1.c53.62

Like villages, Śālās are divided into six classes, namely Daṇḍaka, Svastika, Maulika, Caturmukha, Sarvatobhadra, and Vardhamāna. Some of these, with a certain numbers of halls are stated to be temples, while others varying in number of rooms are meant for the residences of different castes. A distinction is made with regard to the number of storeys they should be furnished with. The maximum number of storeys a *śālā* has, is twelve as usual. All the storeys of all these *śālās* are described in detail. Thus this is the picture in bare outline, presented by the Mānasāra as summarised by Dr. P. K. Acharya (vide Encly. of Hindu Architecture, page 485). It may be noted that these *Śālās*—the many-storeyed mansions, consist of rows of buildings from one to ten, and as pointed out they are many-storeyed structures, the number of storeys varying upto twelve. Regarding their use, Dr. Acharya adds, "The huge buildings are naturally meant for kings, to the nine classes of whom they are assigned in accordance with the importance of the mansion and the rank of the king" (Hindu Arch. In India & Abroad, page 121). In my opinion this is a very advanced stage of the evolution of the Śālā type of structure. Its architectural affinity with temple-like super-structure is beyond doubt. The underlying characteristic of the Śālā structure—the rows of buildings from one to ten, moreover, is preserved here. Also their essential components like Alindas and Bhadrās are also there, but the application of the storeys in the śālā houses is against the genius of this class of architecture, as primarily it was meant as an abode of men with limited means and limited requirements.