Page:History of Indian and Eastern Architecture Vol 1.djvu/318

 274 ARCHITECTURE IN THE HIMALAYAS. BOOK II. materially to modify the essentially Turanian character of the people. Nepal also differs from Kashmir from the fact that the Muhammadans never had possession of their valley, and never, consequently, influenced their arts or their religions. The architectural history of the two valleys differs, consequently, in the following particulars: In Kashmir we have a Buddhist period, developing by the 8th century into an original quasi- classical style, that lasted till it, in its turn, was supplanted by that of the Moslim in the i$th century. In Nepal we have no succession of styles no history in fact for we hardly know when any of the three religions was introduced ; but what we find is the Vaishnava, Saiva, and Buddhist religions existing side by side at the present day, and flourishing with a rank luxuriance unknown on the plains of Bengal, where probably their exuberance was checked by the example of the Moslims, who, as just remarked, had no influence in the valley. Owing to the principal monuments in Nepal except the older chaityas being modern, and to the people being too poor to indulge in such magnificence as is found on the plains, the buildings of Nepal cannot compare, as architectural objects, with those found in other parts of India. But, on the other hand, the very fact of their being comparatively modern gives them an interest of their own, and though it is an exaggera- tion, it is a characteristic one, when it is said that in Nepal there are more temples than houses, and more idols than men ; l it is true to such an extent that there is an unlimited field for enquiry, and even if not splendid, the buildings are marvellously picturesque. Judging from photographs and such materials as are available, I have no hesitation in asserting that there are some streets and palaces in Kathmandu and Bhatgaon which are more picturesque, and more striking as architectural com- positions, than are to be found in any other cities in India. 2 The style may be called barbarous, and the buildings have the defect of being principally in wood ; but their height, their variety of outline, their wealth of carving and richness of colour, are such as are not to be found in Benares or any other city of the plains. The real point of interest in the architecture of Nepal to 1 The towns of Kathmandu, Patan and Bhatgaon, which are within a short distance of one another, are crowded with sacred edifices Buddhist, Saiva, and Vaishnava. The number of these shrines is estimated at 2000. - We have now further illustrations in ' Le Nepal, etude historique d'un Royaume Hindou,' par Sylvain Levi, 3 tomes, Paris, 1905-1908; Dr. G. Le Bon, 'Voyage au Nepal' in 'Tour du Monde,' 1886, ler. sem. ; and ' Les Monuments de 1'Inde,' pp. 223-246, and figs. 364-398.