A History of Fine Art in India and Ceylon, from the Earliest Times to the Present Day c13.s7.13

c13.s7.13

Traditional dates like those cited notoriously require to be treated with caution, but in this case both the dates in the seventh century happen to be credible, as marking times of ascertained political disturbance in India. The earlier date, \textsc{a. d.} 603, which falls within the period of anarchy and strife due to the Hun invasions, precedes by a few years the consolidation of the empires founded by Harsha in the north and by Pulakesin II Chalukya in the Deccan. The later date, \textsc{a.d.} 685, approximately coincides with the fall of Valabhī, which is believed to have been destroyed about that time by the Arabs then settled in Sind.⁵ The Chinese statement in the *History of the Sung Dynasty* dating the conversion of the island between \textsc{a.d.} 414 and 431 is the most trustworthy of all, though of course the assertion that the whole population was converted cannot be accepted. As in India, Brahmanical Hinduism continued to exist side by side with Buddhism. The earliest known dated Indo-Javanese inscription is said to be one of the year \textsc{a.d.} 732.⁶ We are, therefore, justified in believing that the ancient Indian Brahmanical colonies in Java received strong reinforcements from the mother-country during the fifth, seventh, and eighth centuries. Considering that all, or nearly all, the Buddhist remains in the island are later than the middle of the eighth century, we may further infer that the new-comers were largely Buddhist in religion, and included many skilled craftsmen. The most ancient objects in the island possessing value as works of art are Buddhist. The late Dr. Brandes, who had a good right to express an authoritative opinion, held that the buildings at Boro-Būdūr, with their incomparable sculptures, should be dated between a.d. 778 and 928 (= 700–850 Saka). According to M. Tissandier the Kali Bening and Sari temples at Prambānam (Brambanam) were begun in a.d. 779.¹