The Colas c3.2

c3.2

The promise of a separate study of Cōḷa Art held forth in the Preface to the first edition has not materialised; difficulties in the way of a comprehensive treatment are unfortunately still too many. These will disappear only if the Archaeological Department or a South Indian University undertakes a systematic survey and description of the monuments with photographs, plans, and elevations on the model of what has been done for Kambuja, Annam and Java by the French and Dutch archaeologists working in these countries. This work is beyond the resources at the command of the present writer who has therefore, with the permission of the authorities of the University of Madras, added a fresh chapter to the book giving a summary account of the main features in the history of Cōḷa Art with adequate illustrations. In the preparation of this chapter he has received considerable aid from Mr. K. R. Srinivasan, Superintendent for Archaeology, Southern Circle, and Dr. S. Paramasivan, Archaeological Chemist in the South—both from their writings and from personal discussions with them.