Page:History of Indian and Eastern Architecture Vol 1.djvu/301

 CHAP. I. KASHMIRI TEMPLES. 257 142. Pillar at Srinagar. (From a Draw- ing by W. Carpenter, Esq.) octagon, or to the polygon of sixteen sides, and so on. Now that we are familiar with the extent of classical influence that prevailed in Gandhara (ante, p. 217) down to about the 5th century, we have no difficulty in understanding whence these quasi-Grecian forms were de- rived, nor why they should be found so prevalent in this valley. It adds, however, very consider- ably to our interest in the subject to find that the civilisa- tion of the West left so strong an impress on the arts of this part of India that its influence can be detected in all the Kashmiri buildings down to the time when the local style perished under Muhammadan influence in the I4th century. Although, therefore, there can be no mistake about the forms of the columns in the archi- of tecture of Kashmir being derived from the classical styles of the West, and as little doubt as to the countries through which it was introduced into the valley, it must not be overlooked that the classical influence is fainter and more remote from its source in Kashmir than in Gandhara. Nothing resembling the Cor- inthian capitals of the Jamal- garhi monastery are found in the valley. The classical features in Kashmir are in degree more like those of the M^nikyala tope and the very latest examples in the Peshawar valley. The one style, in fact, seems to com- mence where the other ends, and to carry on the tradition for centuries after it had been lost in the country from which it was introduced. The fact, however, of a quasi-Doric,~order being currently used in the valley from the 8th to the 1 2th century, renders it probable that if remains of greater antiquity had been preserved, VOL. I. R 143. Capital from Shadipur. (From a Drawing by F. H. Andrews, Esq.)