Page:A history of architecture on the comparative method for the student, craftsman, and amateur.djvu/687

 INDIAN ARCHITECTURE. 629 The viharas (or monasteries) are also rock-cut. They consist generally of a central hall surrounded on three sides by cells for the priests. In later and larger examples, columns are introduced in the central space to support the rock overhead. In the most important examples the sanctuary is placed in a special apartment, and provided with a screen of columns as at Nassick. (b.) Jaina. — Temples owe much of their attractiveness to their environment, by being picturesquely grouped on mountain tops or in wooded valleys. In plan they consist of a square cell containing the image of the J ina, roofed with a high curvilinear pyramidal Tower called a " Sikra." In front was a pillared portico, crowned by a pointed dome usually supported on eight pillars forming points of an octagon, and brought to a square by inserting four angle columns (No. 266 c). The columns are extended so as to make the whole structure cruciform on plan, which is apparent externally. The planning of the dome on the octagonal base causes the width of the central nave to the aisles to be in the proportion of 10 to 7. A somewhat similar treatment has been adopted in the successful interior of S. Stephen, Walbrook (No. 256). In important examples, the temple is placed in a great open court, round which cells are planned. At Girnar there are seventy of such cells, each containing a cross-legged statute of the Jina, to whom the Temple is dedicated. (c.) Hindu (or Bvdhman). — The Hindu Temples are similar in plan to the Jaina temples, with local differences — for instance, Dravidian Temples have, in addition, the characteristic choultries, or halls of 1,000 columns, and are generally surrounded by a wall, inclosing lakes or tanks of water for priestly purposes, while Chalukyan Temples are usually star-shaped on plan. B. Walls. — These were constructed principally of the granite, stone or marble with which the country abounds, the massive blocks being sometimes laid without mortar. Plain walling seems to have been avoided, and sculpture is employed in a bewildering and confusing way (see Ornament, page 632). The characteristic Eastern treatment of decorating with sculptures the whole surface of the walls is employed in all three styles. In the Dravidian style the gopuras or gate pyramids resemble, in their massiveness only, the pylons of the Egyptian Temples (No. 7). c. Openings. (a.) Buddhist. — In rock-cut examples, the horseshoe form occurs on the fa9ade (No. 268), forming, as it were, one great eye, and being the only opening for light. Within this arch was usually an open decorated framework of wood, probably used as a screen to the glaring Eastern sun ; thus the subdued light was