Vastu-shastra (Vol. I: Hindu Science of Architecture; Vol. II: Hindu Canons of Iconography and Painting) v1.c55.41

v1.c55.41

The palaces as treated in the 30th Chapter of the text are examples of an ornamental style, probably the Lāṭa style, the most characteristic features of this style being exuberance of ornamentation and decorative motifs as well as the abundant application of pillars. On styles I shall dwell at length in Part V—the Temple Architecture. For the present, it suffices here to say that out of the fifteen types of palaces as described in the 30th Chapter entitled Rājagṛha, (tabulated ahead) the first ten varieties are residential houses, while the last five are pleasure palaces (the former are called *Nivāsa-bhavanāni* and the latter, the *Vilāsa-bhavanāni* (vide S.S. 30th 120-21).