Ancient Indian Colonization in South-East Asia c11.4

c11.4

As regards architecture, the early examples, mostly built of perishable materials, have vanished. But enough remains to indicate that the early temples, built of brick, faithfully represent the Indian prototype of a square shrine with or without projections and niches. In the latter case the bare walls are divided by pilasters. The walls stand on a base and support a cornice with arched niches or *kuḍus*. Above it rises the roof in three or four storeys of receding stages, each showing the characteristic features of the main temple in miniature.