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The Structural Temples of Gujarat frequently in the sense of special building, 20 the references as to the existence of Puras and their fortification, the pillared halls and mansions, the several names like Sthuṇa, Stambha; Skambha, Viskambha of the free standing pillars and supports21 and the Yupa, the sacrificial post and Mrnmayam Gṛham, the burial mounds22 and the detailed references as to various articles of furniture, 23 all these record the advanced knowledge of architecture achieved during the Rgvedic period.24
(b) Yajurveda Samhita's etc. (c. 3000 B. C.-1000 A. D. )25
242
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The Krṣṇa Yajurveda contains numerous hymns relating to Yupa, 26 the prototype of the Indian pillar. The Sukla Yajurveda's description of the Smaśana' (funeral mound) gives an idea of the prototype of the Indian stūpas so popular in later art.27 The Sala Sukta (hymn) of Atharvaveda immensly describes the residential houses. It also contains many architectural terms like Vansa for beam and Sthūņa (Sthāņu) for post. This veda further refers to houses of varying shapes and sides, some being twosided, eight-sided and four-sided.
(c) The Brahmaṇas (c. 4000 B. C.-1000 B. C )28 have elaborately discussed the various religious structures the Yupa, the Vedi and the Smaśāna. The word 'Silpa' and its traditional
20. Rg. v. 32.5; vii 55, 6; 56. 16; 76, 2; IX 71, 4; 78.3. 21. Rg. I 59. 1; III 31, 12 IV 5. 1.
22. Rg. VII. 89.
23 Rg. VII 55-8.
24. For details vide Dr. P. K. Archarya: 'History of Architecture in India and Abroad' ch. II pp 54-62 and Dr. Bhatacharya. A study of Vastuvidya or canons of Indian Architecture' (1947) ch. 11 pp 11-23. 25. Chro. Kane.
26. K. Yaju. 1, 3; VI, 3.
27. S. Yaju. ch. 35.
28 Chro. Kane.
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