DOI Page / Citation link:
https://doi.org/10.11588/diglit.27191#0303
Chap. I.
KASHMIRI TEMPLES,
257
142. Pillar at Srlnagar. (From a Draw-
ing by W. Carpenter, Esq.)
octagon, or to the polygon of sixteen sides, and so on. Now
that we are familiar with the
extent of classical influence that
prevailed in Gandhara (ante, p.
217) down to about the 5th
century, we have no difflculty
in understanding whence these
quasi-Grecian forms were de-
rived, nor why they should be
found so prevalent in this valley.
It adds, however, very consider-
ably to our interest in the
subject to find that the civilisa-
tion of the West left so strong
an impress on the arts of this
part of India that its influence
can be detected in all the
Kashmiri buildings down to
the time when the local style
perished under Muhammadan
influence in the 14th century.
Although, therefore, there can
be no mistake about the forms
of the columns in the archi-
tecture of Kashmir being
derived from the classical
styles of the West, and as
little doubt as to the countries
through which it was introduced
into the valley, it must not be
overlooked that the classical
influence is fainter and more
remote from its source in
Kashmir than in Gandhara.
Nothing resembling the Cor-
inthian capitals of the Jamal-
garhi monastery are found in the
valley. The classical features in Kashmir are in degree more
like those of the Manikyala tope and the very latest examples in
the Peshawar valley. The one style, in fact, seems to com-
mence where the other ends, and to carry on the tradition
for centuries after it had been lost in the country from which
it was introduced.
The fact, however, of a quasi-Doric order being currently
used in the valley from the 8th to the 12th century, renders it
probable that if remains of greater antiquity had been preserved,
VOL. I. R
143. Capital from Shadipur. (From a
Drawing by F. H. Andrews, Esq.)
KASHMIRI TEMPLES,
257
142. Pillar at Srlnagar. (From a Draw-
ing by W. Carpenter, Esq.)
octagon, or to the polygon of sixteen sides, and so on. Now
that we are familiar with the
extent of classical influence that
prevailed in Gandhara (ante, p.
217) down to about the 5th
century, we have no difflculty
in understanding whence these
quasi-Grecian forms were de-
rived, nor why they should be
found so prevalent in this valley.
It adds, however, very consider-
ably to our interest in the
subject to find that the civilisa-
tion of the West left so strong
an impress on the arts of this
part of India that its influence
can be detected in all the
Kashmiri buildings down to
the time when the local style
perished under Muhammadan
influence in the 14th century.
Although, therefore, there can
be no mistake about the forms
of the columns in the archi-
tecture of Kashmir being
derived from the classical
styles of the West, and as
little doubt as to the countries
through which it was introduced
into the valley, it must not be
overlooked that the classical
influence is fainter and more
remote from its source in
Kashmir than in Gandhara.
Nothing resembling the Cor-
inthian capitals of the Jamal-
garhi monastery are found in the
valley. The classical features in Kashmir are in degree more
like those of the Manikyala tope and the very latest examples in
the Peshawar valley. The one style, in fact, seems to com-
mence where the other ends, and to carry on the tradition
for centuries after it had been lost in the country from which
it was introduced.
The fact, however, of a quasi-Doric order being currently
used in the valley from the 8th to the 12th century, renders it
probable that if remains of greater antiquity had been preserved,
VOL. I. R
143. Capital from Shadipur. (From a
Drawing by F. H. Andrews, Esq.)