Page:History of Indian and Eastern Architecture Vol 1.djvu/363

 CHAP. II. DOMES. in all instances of octagonal domes in this style, instead of the octagonal form being left as such, there are always four external pillars at the angles, so that the square shape is retained, with twelve pillars, of which the eight internal pillars may be taken as mere inser- tions to support the long architrave between the four angular pillars. It is evident that here again we come to a limit beyond which we cannot progress without using large and long stones. This was sometimes met by cutting off the angles of the octagon, and making the lower course of sixteen sides. When this has been done an awkwardness arises in getting back to the square form. This was escaped from, in all the instances I am acquainted with, by adopting cir- w- Diagram of Roofing, cular courses for all above that with sixteen sides. In many instances the lower course with sixteen sides is altogether omitted, and the circles placed immediately Diagram of Indian Construction. B. Form of bracket capital in the angle of an octagonal dome. on the octagon, as in the temple of Vimala at Abu (Woodcut No. 284, vol. ii. p. 39). It is difficult to say how far this system