Page:History of Indian and Eastern Architecture Vol 1.djvu/11

 AUTHOR'S PREFACE TO THE FIRST EDITION. DURING the nine years that have elapsed since I last wrote on this subject, 1 very considerable progress has been made in the elucidation of many of the problems that still perplex the student of the History of Indian Architecture. The publication of the five volumes of General Cunningham's ' Archaeological Reports' has thrown new light on many obscure points, but generally from an archaeological rather than from an architectural point of view ; and Mr Burgess's researches among the western caves and the structural temples of the Bombay presidency have added greatly not only to our stores of information, but to the precision of our knowledge regarding them. For the purpose of such a work as this, however, photo- graphy has probably done more than anything that has been written. There are now very few buildings in India of any importance at least which have not been photographed with more or less completeness ; and for purposes of comparison such collections of photographs as are now available are simply invaluable. For detecting similarities, or distinguishing differ- ences between specimens situated at distances from one another, photographs are almost equal to actual personal inspection, and, when sufficiently numerous, afford a picture of Indian art of the utmost importance to any one attempting to describe it. 1 'History of Architecture in all Countries.' 2nd ed. Murray, 1867. [Now 'History of Ancient and Medieval Architecture.' 3rd ed. 2 vols. Murray, 1893.]