History of Indian and Eastern ArchitectureFergusson, James
History
History of Indian and Eastern Architecture
Fergusson, James
Architecture -- India; Architecture, Asian
The antiquities of the western part of the province were first
investigated by Dr. Honigberger, in the years 1833-34,[98] and the
result of his numismatic discoveries published in Paris and elsewhere;
but the only account we have of the buildings themselves is that given
by Mr. Masson, who, with singular perseverance and sagacity, completed
what Dr. Honigberger had left undone.[99] Those of the eastern district
and about Manikyala were first investigated by General Ventura and M.
Court, officers in the service of Runjeet Sing, and the result of their
researches published by Prinsep in the third volume of his ‘Journal’ in
1830; but considerably further light has been thrown on them by the
explorations of General Cunningham, and published in his ‘Archæological
Reports’ for 1863-1864.
JELALABAD TOPES.
The topes examined and described by Mr. Masson as existing round
Jelalabad are thirty-seven in number, viz., eighteen distinguished as
the Darunta group, six at Chahar Bagh, and thirteen at Hidda. Of these
about one-half yielded coins and relics of more or less importance,
which proved the dates of their erection to extend from the Christian
Era, or it may be a few years before it, to the 7th or 8th century.
One of the most remarkable of these is No. 10 of Hidda, which contained,
besides a whole museum of gems and rings, five gold solidi of the
emperors Theodosius (A.D. 408), Marcian and Leo (474); two gold Canouge
coins; and 202 Sassanian coins extending to, if not beyond, the
Hegira.[100] This tope, therefore, must belong to the 7th century, and
would be a most convenient landmark in architectural history, were it
not that the whole of its exterior is completely peeled off, so that no
architectural mouldings remain, and, apparently from the difficulty of
ascertaining them, no dimensions are quoted in the text.[101] About
one-half of the others contained relics, but none were found to be so
rich as this.
In general appearance they differ considerably from the great Indian
topes just described, being all taller in proportion to their breadth,
and having a far more tower-like appearance, than any found in India,
except the Sarnath example. They are also smaller, the largest at
Darunta being only 160 ft. in circumference. This is about the usual
size of the first-class topes in Afghanistan, the second class being a
little more than 100 ft., while many are much smaller.
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