Page:History of Indian and Eastern Architecture Vol 2.djvu/109

 CHAP. V. STAMBHAS. 81 but then frequently as dipdans, or lamp-bearing pillars, and in that case have some arrangement for exhibiting light from their summits or round their shafts. With the Jains this does not appear ever to have been the case. Their pillars are the lineal descendants of those of the Buddhists, which bore either emblems or statues generally the former or figures of animals ; with the Jains and Vaishnavas they as generally bore figures. 1 In the south, however, the Jains have two styles of pillars the Brahmadeva Stambhas, bearing figures of the god Brahma, and the Mana- stambhas which are taller and bear a small pavilion on the capital. 2 The example here given of one of the latter class at Guruvayankeri is a fair average specimen of its class (Woodcut No. 308). The sub-base is square and spreading ; the base itself square, changing into an octagon, and thence into a polygonal figure approach- ing a circle ; and above a wide - spreading capital of most elaborate design. To many this may at first sight appear top-heavy, but it is not so in reality. If you erect a pillar at all, it ought to have something to carry. Those we erect are copied from pillars meant to support architraves, and are absurd solecisms when merely sup- porting statues ; we have, however, got accustomed to them, and our eye is offended if anything better proportioned to the work to be done is proposed ; but, looking at the breadth of the base and the strength of the shaft, anything less than here exhibited would be found disproportionately small. On the lower or square part of these stambhas. as well as on Stambha at Guruvayankeri. (From a Photograph.) VOL. II. 1 Ante, pp. vol. i. 347, 348, and vol. ii. p. 21. 2 'Epigraphia Indica,' vol. viii. p. 123.