Page:History of Indian and Eastern Architecture Vol 1.djvu/345

 CHAP. II. TEMPLES AT KANGRA. 297 Another view in the porch of the temple at Pemiongchi is also interesting, as showing the form of roof which we are familiar with in the rock examples, and also as illustrating the extent to which the bracket capital of India may be carried under the influence of wooden architecture (Woodcut No. 164). It hardly seems doubtful that the idea was origin- ally derived from wooden construction, but was equally appro- priate to masonic forms, and is used in masonry so judiciously by Indian architects that we lose sight of its origin in most instances altogether. Interesting as these minor styles undoubtedly are from their variety, and valuable though they may be for the hints they afford us in understanding the history of the other styles, they never can be so important as the greater architectural groups that are found on the plains of India itself. A mono- graph of the styles of Kashmir or Nepal, or of the intermediate valleys, would be an invaluable addition to our knowledge ; but hardly more is required in a general history than that their places should be indicated, and their general character- istics so defined as to render them recognisable. Even these minor styles, however, will become more intelligible when studied in connection with the Dravidian and northern styles, which are those it is next proposed to define and describe. TEMPLES AT KANGRA. Though a little out of their place in the series, there are two small temples in one of the Himalayan valleys which it may be expedient to describe here before leaving this part of the subject, as their peculiarities will assist us in under- standing much that has just been said, or that will be presently advanced. Besides this, they do not exactly fit into any other series, but they can hardly be passed over, as they possess what is so rare in Indian temples an ascertained date. The temples are situated in the village of Kiragrama or Baijnath, about 25 miles east of Kangra, and two inscriptions in the larger of the two principal shrines record that it was built by two brothers, Manyuka and Ahuka, wealthy merchants, under Lakshmanachandra lord of Kiragrama, and apparently brother-in-law of Jayachchandra, king of Jalandhara or Trigarta. The date is partly obliterated, but in all probability it was equivalent to A.D. 1204. This temple was dedicated to Siva- Vaidyanatha, and consists of a mandap or hall, 20 ft. square inside, with four round pillars supporting the roof, and a shrine (puri] for the Linga, 8 ft. square separated from the hall by