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Sources of Architectural Canons
247 shapes, with abudant application of pillars (Sahasthamba Pasāda ),50 and with many pinnacles and storeys, 51 carved wooden rafters (Gopānsiya ); 5 2 watch-towers with quarters for watchmen (Attālaka ); 5 3 pillars of various shapes ( AtthanisaAstāsra );64 and doors, windows including latticed ones with perforated screens; lintels, stairs and cornices etc. have all found eloquent mention. The description of towns of Jātakas tally very much to those found in epics.55
The Mahāvagga and the Cullavagga are two Pāli texts which provide an abundant information on the most flourishing architectural condition of the day. At places it appears as if the Lord Buddha is giving sermons on the science of Architecture itself. In Cullavagga, 56 he appears to enjoin upon his devotees the supervision of building-construction as one of the duties of the Samgha. In Mahāvagga 57 and also in Cullvagga 58 the blessed one is stated to have said, “I allow you, oh, Bhikkus, abodes of five Kinds-Vibāra, Ardhayoga ( Addayoga ), Prāsāda, Harmya and Guhā. This is the earliest classification of buildings very much elaborated in later Silpa-texts. Masonary and material alongwith component parts of building, residential or devotional, are all described. The description of three-fold windows-Vedikā-vātāyan, Jalavātāyan, salakā-vātāyan, the stairs and various kinds of plasters epitonize the flourishing state of architecture of the time. Dr. Bhattacharya has rightly observed, “The many-storeyed dwellings, the underground chambers and the stone roofs indicate the developed engineering skill of the Indians. The painted chambers, the latticed windows and stairbalustrades attest to their ascetic culture. The drains, the dams and the baths, described by Rhys Davids, are further proof of the developed state of Indian architecture. 59 50. J. No. 553.
54. J. Nos. 541 & S43. 51. J. No. 541.
55. J. No. 518. 52. J. No. 396.
56. Cull VI. 17, I. 53. J. Nos. 534 & 458.
57. Maha. I, 30, 4. 58. Cull. VI 1, 2. 59. Dr. Bhattacharya. "A study of Vāstu-vidyā or Canons of Indian Architecture'. p. 69.
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