Structural Temples of Gujarat

SR No.: 006728
Original Sutra Author: N/A
Author: Kantilal F Sompura
Publisher: Gujarat University Ahmedabad
Publication Year: 1968
Total Pages: 868
Language: English
Classification: Book_English
File Size: 31 MB

Page 322

Sources of Architectural Canons
267 Traditionally the authorsihp of the work is ascribed to Viśvakarmā, whose view referred to in the Bțihat Samhita (6th Cent. A. D.). But from the treatment of the subject matter it seems to have been composed later.
It is definitely post-samarāngaña as many of its verses may be regarded as verbatim reproductions from the Samarāngana, as the majority verses in Sūtradhāra Maņdan's works are verbatim reproductions from the Aparajita-pracchā. Accordingly the work may be dated not earlier than 11th Cent. A. D. when the Samarāngana was composed.
Shri P. A. Mankad has also observed on the strength of external and internal evidences the time of composition of APPR. between 12th and the first half of 13th Cent. A. D.187 By the critical examination of the contents of the text itself viz. the various mouldings of pitha and maņdovara, purely provincial Nāgara types of Sikhara of late origin, details of maņdapas, pot-and-foliage type of pilasters, the mouldings of the ceilings and some iconographical features Shri M. P. Vora and M. A. Dhaky assign the work to the latter half of the 12th Cent. A. D.138 Thus the work is not as old as it professes to be. 139
137. APPR. Int. p. xii. 138. M. P. Vora and M. A. Dhaky. JOI, IX, 4, pp. 424-431. 139. However, it may be noted in this connection that it was and is, a usual practice on the part of the Silpi while copying or getting copied an old work for his personal use to insert into it even additional informations drawn from other allied sources prevelant in his times, without specifying the other sources utilized by him. Consequently many old works on Siipa, as available in their present form transmitted through such Śilpis happened to incorporate several interpolations from other unspecified sources, though they figure as entire compositions of the old authors. This is the position of a number of old works, unpublished or even published, especially they are anonymous or are ascribed to such personages like Viśvakarmā and Maya. Hence the problem of the authorship or age of such works necessites a critical examination of the internal treatment of the subject.