1848.] Essay on the Avian Order of Architecture. 255 



that the attribution made by me is correct. Indeed the fortunate agree- 

 ment of the tradition with the record of the native history of the 

 country almost increases the probability to certainty. And yet in spite 

 of this remarkable concurrence I cannot help harbouring a suspicion 

 that this temple owes it erection to the same period as that of the well 

 authenticated structure at Pandrethan. Vigne* also was of opinion 

 that this was the most modern of the Kashmirian temples. I have 

 been led to this suspicion solely by the great similarity of the internal 

 decorations of the two temples. But at the same time I must confess 

 that the ground-plan of the Payach edifice assimilates more closely with 

 that of Marttand, than with those of later date at Avantipura, Pathan 

 and Pandre'than. 



3. But there is another evidence in favor of this appropriation in 

 the fact that both the temples of Payach and of Narendraswdmi were 

 undoubtedly dedicated to Siva. The dedication of Payach is known 

 by the presence of a lingam which still stands intact in the middle of 

 the building, and by the representation of the Bull Nandi upon the 

 capitals of the supporting pilasters of the trefoiled niche. The name 

 of the enshrined Deity in the temple of Narendraswami is ascertained 

 by the title of Sivdmi, which is one of the names of Siva. It is true 

 that a Swdmi does not necessarily signify a Saiva temple ; but unless 

 otherwise specified it is always intended as such. Altogether therefore 

 the balance of evidence and of probability is decidedly in favor of the 

 early date which I have assigned to the temple on the concurrent 

 authority of tradition and of the record of the Haja Tarangini. 



4. The remarkably perfect state in which this temple still exists is 

 no doubt, as suggested by Vigne, partly owing to its retired situation 

 on the westward and immediately beneath the steep side of the Karewat 

 (or elevated alluvial flat) of No-nagar. This position is some miles 

 to the eastward of the high road leading into Kashmir, and entirely 

 screened from observation by the Karewah from any point of the great 

 thoroughfare along the bank of the river. But I attribute its preserva- 

 tion chiefly to the extreme solidity of its construction : the walls being 

 made each of a single stone, and the roof of no more than two stones. 

 A reference to plates XL and XII. will show the disposition of the six 

 stones, which form the superstructure of this temple. In the former 



* Kashmir, v. 1— p. 392. 



