Indian Antiquary Vol 01

SR No.: 032493
Original Sutra Author: N/A
Author: Jas Burgess
Publisher: Swati Publications
Publication Year: 1984
Total Pages: 430
Language: English
Classification: Book_English
File Size: 22 MB

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THE INDIAN ANTIQUARY.
[FEB. 2, 1872
be roughly stated as 200 feet square over all, incidents of that epic. This, like the other, is including all the detached pavilions. The tem- about 700 feet long. (The frieze of the Parple itself is 160 feet N. and 8. by 122 feet E. thenon is less than 550 feet.) Then come celestial and W. Its height, as it now remains, to the beasts (crocodiles?] and celestial birds swans?] oornice is about 25 feet from the terrace on which
and all along the east front a frieze of groups it stands. It cannot, therefore, be considered by
from human life, and then a cornice, with a any means as a large building, though large enough
rail, divided into panels each containing two for effect. This, however, can hardly be judged
figures. Over this are windows of pierced slabs of as it now stands, for there is no doubt but
like those of Bailur, though not so rich or - that it was intended to raise two pyramidal
ried..... In the centre, in place of the winspires over the sanctuaries, four smaller ones in
dows, is first a scroll and then a frieze, of gods front of these, and two more, one over each of
and heavenly apsaras, dancing girls, and other the two central pavilions, .........and if carried
objects of Hindu mythology. This frieze, which out with the richness of detail exhibited in the
is about 5 feet 6 inches in height, is continued
all round the western front of the building, and Kait Ishwara would have made up a whole,
extends to some 400 feet in length..... which it would be difficult to rival anywhere. I Every great god of the Hindu Pantheon finds
« The material out of which the temple is his place. Some of these are carved with a mierected is an indurated pot-stone, of volcanic nute elaboration of detail, which can only be reorigin, found in the neighbourhood. This stone produced by photography, and may probably be is said to be soft when first quarried, and easily considered as the most marvellous exhibition of out in that state, though hardening on ex- patient human labour that the world ever proposure to the atmosphere. Even this, how- duced. ever, will not diminish our admiration of the “It must not, however, be considered that amount of labour bestowed on the temple, for, it is only for patient industry that this building from the number of parts still unfinished, it is remarkable. The mode in which the eastern is evident, that, like most others of its class, it face is broken up by the larger masses, so as was built in block, and carved long after the to give height and play of light and shade, is a stone had become hard. As we now see it, better way of accomplishing what the Gothic the stone is of a pleasing creamy colour, and so architects attempted by their transepts and proclose-grained as to take a polish like mar- jections. This, however, is surpassed by the ble.........The enduring qualities of the stone western front, where the variety of outline and seem to be unrivalled, for though neglected the arrangement and subordination of the and exposed to all the vicissitudes of a tro- various facets in which it is disposed, must be pical climate for more than six (eight) cen- considered a masterpiece of design in its class. turies, the minutest details are as clear and sharp If the frieze of gods were spread along a plain as the day they were finished .......... surface, it would lose more than half its effect,
" It is of course impossible to illustrate so and the vertical angles, without interfering complicated and so varied a design ... The build with the continuity of the frieze, give height ing stands upon a terrace from 5 to 6 feet in and strength to the whole composition. The height, and paved with large slabs. On this disposition of the lower line of friezes is equalstands a frieze of elephants following all the ly effective. Here again the artistic combisinuosities of the plan and extending to some nation of horizontal with vertical lines, an 710 feet in length, and containing not less than the play of outline and of light and shade, far 2000 elephants, most of them with riders and surpass anything in Gothic art. The effects trappings, sculptured as only an Oriental can are just what the mediæval architects were represent the wisest of brutes. Above these is often aiming at, but they never attained them a frieze of shardalas, or conventional lions—the so perfectly as was done at Halabid. emblem of the Hoisela Belklas who built the "If it were possible to illustrate the Halatemple. Then comes a scroll of infinite beauty ! bid temple to such an extent as to render its and variety of design; over this. a frieze of peculiarities familiar, there would be few things horsemen and another scroll; over which is a more interesting or more instructive than to bas-relief of soenes from the Rámáyana, repre institute a comparison between it and the Parsenting the conquest of Ceylon and all the varied thenon at Athens,....