A History of Fine Art in India and Ceylon, from the Earliest Times to the Present Day c8.43

c8.43

Excepting the Buddhist cave-temples and edifices discussed above, few buildings now existing in India or Ceylon can be positively dated earlier than the sixth century of the Christian era. The oldest Brahmanical temple known in India is one at Rāmnagar, the ancient Ahichhatra, in the Bareli District, Agra Provinces, which may be ascribed either to the first century before, or the first century after, Christ. It was dedicated to Siva, and was adorned with carved bricks and terra-cottas, said to represent incidents in the legend of Siva; but no detailed description of this notable discovery is on record, and it is impossible to make out what the temple was like.²