with 176 Illustrations and Map
The Ancient and Medieval Architecture of India: A Study of Indo-Aryan Civilization is a seminal work that explores the architectural achievements of ancient and medieval India through the lens of its cultural and spiritual ethos. The author delves into the evolution of Indian architecture, examining its origins, influences, and distinctive styles, such as Buddhist stupas, Hindu temples, and Islamic structures. He highlights the harmonious integration of art, religion, and philosophy, emphasizing the aesthetic and symbolic dimensions of Indian architecture. This work is considered an important contribution to the study of Indian art history, offering insights into the Indo-Aryan civilization and its enduring legacy in architectural design.
Ernest Binfield Havell (1861-1934) was a British art historian, educator, and author known for his significant contributions to the study and promotion of Indian art and architecture. Havell served as the principal of the Government School of Art in Calcutta (now Kolkata) from 1896 to 1906. During his tenure, he sought to revive traditional Indian art and crafts, which he believed were superior to the Western academic style introduced during colonial rule.
All but the last three chapters of this book were written before the fateful days of August which saw Great Britain once more engaged in fighting for the liberties of Europe against a hateful military despotism. The splendid demonstration of Indian loyalty which the war has called forth should not blind the British nation to the fact that the work of building up our Empire in the East, so far from being finished, will inevitably grow more difficult year by year and demand more watchful care from British statesmen.
It will certainly be impossible for Great Britain to continue to refuse India privileges which our ally, Russia, is willing to grant to her Asiatic subjects; and the problem of reconciling Indian aspirations with the vital interests of the Empire can only be solved satisfactorily by avoiding the dangers into which we have drifted with regard to the government of Ireland. The root of the Irish difficulties has lain in ignorance of Irish sentiment and Irish history. Similar causes will sooner or later produce similar effects on a far larger scale in India. It is therefore that I believe myself to be fulfilling a patriotic duty in endeavoring to remove the misconceptions of Indian civilisation which have so largely governed Anglo-Indian policy. It is good to remind ourselves how history is repeating itself that our Indian comrades-in-arms are of the same stock as those who fifteen hundred years ago were fighting on Indian soil the same battles for liberty and for Aryan civilisation against those who, like the modern Huns, knew no right but might, as we are fighting together in Europe today. It is good for us to know that Indian civilisation is a branch of the same tree which we are proud to call our own. And this very feeling of comradeship makes it imperative for us to try to understand the political and social ideals which India herself has cherished for so many centuries, rather than impose upon her those which we, from our Western experience, judge to be best for her.
Great Britain could grant India no greater boon than the restoration or reconstruction of her ancient Aryan constitution. None would accord better with Indian popular sentiment or do more to strengthen the ties of Imperial unity.
Once upon a time a Botanist, very learned but with rather defective eyesight, went travelling in far-distant lands. And he came to a great primeval forest with lordly trees, to whose branches many kinds of creepers and curious plants were clinging. Wishing to know what kind of trees these were, he began to gather the leaves and flowers of the creepers and parasites which had intertwined themselves with the branches, without noticing that they were not the real growth of those great forest trees. And he brought them home and dried them carefully, gave them long Latin names, and sent them to other men of science as leaves and flowers of the very rare and curious trees which he had found. So he became famous as a great discoverer.
But soon afterwards another traveller, not learned but loving the beauty of the forest, went the same way and saw the same lordly trees. And at first he too thought he had never seen such trees before; but, looking at them closer and pulling the creepers and undergrowth aside, he saw that the trees were really of the same species as those which grew in his native land such as the oak, chestnut, the elm and ash tree only in a tropical climate they grew larger and more luxuriantly. The Botanist, when he heard of this, smiled scornfully and said: "That fellow knows nothing about trees. Did I not examine every branch and give the trees their proper names? Of course, the leaves and flowers I took were of the creepers and parasites; but the trees themselves are rotten and useless. The forest should be cut down, so that the soil may be ploughed and used for growing things that are useful and good for food."
And the King who ruled over all those lands, wishing to know the truth, for he was building a new city and wanted good timber for it, sent some of his servants who were learned in forest lore to inquire into the matter. And they came back to the King and said: "It is true, O King, that these trees are of the same kind as those we have always used for building in our country: they are very old, but sound and fit for use.
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