Page:History of Indian and Eastern Architecture Vol 1.djvu/302

 258 ARCHITECTURE IN THE HIMALAYAS. BOOK II. we should have found that it was introduced at a much earlier period, or about coeval with the appearance of the Corinthian order of the Gandhara monasteries. As both were evidently derived from the same source, it seems most unlikely that there should be any break in the continuity of the tradition. No example of the Doric order has yet been found in Gandhara, but, as both Ionic and Corinthian capitals have been found there, it seems more than probable that the Doric existed there also ; but as our knowledge is still some- what limited, we ought not to be surprised at any deficiencies in our series that may from time to time become apparent. There is still one other peculiarity of this style to account for. This is the trefoiled arch, which is everywhere prevalent, but which is not to be accounted for by any constructive requirement. Now at Takht-i-Bahai and at 'Alt Masjid we meet with trefoiled arches, over niches for sculptures, 1 and in 144. Restoration of Vihara Cells on the west side of the Court of Takht-J-Bahai Stupa. a Scale about 12 ft. to i in. the gablets from Gandhara stupas, such as that represented in Woodcut No. 123 (p. 216), the frames are of this form. And round the stupa court at Takht-f-Bahai most of the small shrines or cells were roofed by a sort of double dome a smaller one set upon a larger and flatter one (Woodcut No. 144) ; and if we conceive a vertical section made of one of these cells, it will be perceived that the outline would be just that of Woodcut No. 123, or such a trefoil as is every - 1 Foucher, ' L'Art Greco-Bouddhique du Gandhara,' tome i. p, 199, fig. 80, and pp. 19, 201, figs. 2 and 81. 2 From Foucher, ut sup., p. 126 ; modified from Cunningham, ' Archaeo- logical Reports,' vol. v. plate 9. Conf. 'Ancient Monuments of India,' part i. plate 69.