Page:A history of architecture on the comparative method for the student, craftsman, and amateur.djvu/670

 6l2 COMPARATIVE ARCHITECTURE. Style has the " imana " or cell crowned by a horizontal system of storied towers, each story ornamented with cells. The " gopuras " or gateways to the inclosure recall the pylons of Egyptian facades (No. 7), and the " choultries " or halls of a thousand columns, are characteristic and akin to the hypostyle halls (page 24). 3. EXAMPLES. (I.) BUDDHIST ARCHITECTURE (b.c. 250-A.D. 750). The monuments can be divided into : — 1. Stambhas (or Lats). 2. Topes (or Stiipas). 3. Rails. 4. Chaityas (or Temples). 5. Viharas (or Monasteries). 1. Stambhas, or Lats, were columns on which were carved inscriptions, the top being crowned with emblems, such as the elephant and lion, often reminiscent of Persepolitan architecture (No. 13). The best known is the Lat at Allahabad, B.C. 250. 2. Topes, or Stupas (Sanscrit sthupa = a mound), were mounds erected (a) to commemorate some sacred spot ; (b) to contain sacred relics and then known as dagobas or receptacles for relics. The principal group is that known as the Bhilsa Topes, north of the Nerbudda River, and the best known of the group is the Sanchi Tope (e.g. 250-A.D. 100). It is a solid mound of brick- work, faced with stone and cement, and contains the relic near its base. It is 106 feet in diameter, 42 feet high, crowned by a " Tee " or relic casket, and is placed on a platform 14 feet high, surrounded by a procession path, railing and four gateways. An excellent model is in the Indian Museum, South Kensington. Other groups are at Sarnath (near Benares), Buddh-Gaya, Amravati (remains in the British Indian Museums), and Jarasandha. 3. Rails were often used as inclosures to the Topes. They clearly indicate a wooden origin (No. 266 a, f), and were elaborately ornamented with sculpture. The rail and gateways (of which there is a full-size cast in the Indian Museum (No. 266a) ) surrounding the Sanchi Tope are the best known, and date from the first century of our era. The height is 35 feet and width 30 feet. The symbolic sculpture is of historic interest : it tells the life story of Buddha, and illustrates the worship of relics, trees, the law, and battle scenes. These gateways are rhe prototypes of the numberless pailoos (page 642).