Page:History of Indian and Eastern Architecture Vol 2.djvu/57

 CHAP. III. GIRNAR. 35 dimensions, probably it never exceeded about 130 ft. over all, but the dome of its mandapa, which measures 33 ft. across, is as large as any we know of its age. From the accounts, however, which we have of the siege, it is evident that it was enclosed like the temple of Neminath (Woodcut No. 280) in a courtyard, and that may have been of surpassing magnificence. Though very similar in plan, it is nearly twice the dimensions of that of Neminath, and if its court was proportionately large, it may really have justified all that has been said regarding its splendour. From what fragments of sculptured decorations remain, they, too, must have been of great beauty, quite equal to anything we know of this class, or of their age. It has been questioned, however, whether what we now see are fragments of the temple attacked by Mahmud, and consequently whether they belong to the loth 282. or even the 9th century, or whether they may be due to a restoration which was effected in the 1 2th. The temple was dedicated to Some^vara the moon-lord a name of Siva, who, as Ibn Asir states, was represented by a lingam. 1 As the story is now told, after Mahmud's departure it was restored by Bhimadeva of Anhilwara Pattan, who reigned 1021-1073, and adorned by Siddharaja, 1093-1143, and lastly completed, if not rebuilt, by Kumarapala in 1168. Generally it is thought, and almost certainly quite correctly, that what we now see belongs to the last-named king, who is credited with a complete restoration of it, and a state visit to celebrate its consecration. Though a Brahmanical temple, it illustrates the style employed by the Jains in Gujarat in the I2th century. The interior of the walls, too, show that they are largely constructed of materials from an earlier fane. Plan of Temple at Somnath. (From a Plan by J. Burgess.) Scale 50 ft. to i in. 1 Some of the Mubammadan historians represent the idol as having a head with eyes, arms, and a belly. And after describing the destruction of the great idol, Ferishta goes on to say, "There were in the temple some thousands of small images, wrought in gold and silver, of various shapes and dimensions." Brigg's 'Ferishta,' vol. i. pp. 72, 74. We must remember, however, that Ferishta lived five and a half centuries after the sack of Somnath. Ibn Asir's account is the best. Sir H. Elliot's ' History of India,' vol. ii. pp. 4708".