Page:A history of architecture on the comparative method for the student, craftsman, and amateur.djvu/672

 6l4 COMPARATIVE ARCHITECTURE. 4. Chaityas, or Temples (b.c. 250-A.D. 750), are all excavated out of the solid rock, thus presenting only one external face. They recall the rock-cut tombs of Upper Egypt (No. 6). The normal type resembles in plan an English three-aisled cathedral with circular apse, containing the shrine, at the end furthest from the entrance. The roofs are hewn to a semi- circular form, and have ribs resembling timber work. In many, the frontal screen of horse-shoe form, through which the only light was admitted, was of wood. The principal groups are liewn in the face of the Western Ghats, to the east of Bombay, at Bhaja (b.c 250). Nassick (b.c 129), Karli (b.c 78), Ellora, Ajunta (No. 268), and Elephanta (No. 269). The cave at Karli (No. 267), resembles the choir of Norwich Cathedral in general arrangement and dimensions. It is 126 feet long, 45 feet wide, and 45 feet high. The columns separating nave and aisles are octagonal, with elephant capitals, which support the circular roof. 5. Viharas, or Monasteries. — The rock-cut examples are in proximity to the Chaityas. The normal type is a central square space, with or without columns, surrounded by chambers for the priests, and occasionally containing a sanctuary for the shrine. In Gandhara (North-West India), General Cunningham has opened out some structural monasteries, probably of the fourth century a.d., some of which contain courts for shrines. Their details show Greek and Byzantine influence, the acanthus leaf (No. 44 j), the Byzantine cube-capital (No. 89), and the Corinthian capital being met with. In Ceylon are numerous remains of topes, chaityas and viharas, principally at Anuradapura, the capital from is.c 400- A.D. 769, and Pollonarua. (2.) JAIN A ARCHITECTURE (a.d. 1000-1300, with later revivals). The examples mostly belong to the great age of Jaina archi- tecture from A.D. aooo-1300, although a revival took place in the fifteenth century, corresponding to the Renaissance in Europe. The style is generally admitted to have been founded on Buddhist architecture. The monvmients, mainly religious, were erected in all parts of India, the principal examples being in the North. The normal type of temple is a square "vimana" or idol cell, lit from the door only, roofed with a Sikra or Pyramidal storied tower in receding stages, recalling the Chaldaean Temples (No. 12 A, c). The cell contains the cross-legged seated figure of the saint. In front of the vimana is a coknnned hall or portico of varying extent, generally cruciform on plan. In the centre of