1848.] Essay on the Avian Order of Architecture. 313 



6. — Such I presume must have been the gradual improvements and 

 additions that were successively introduced into the Kashmirian style 

 of architecture until the simple enclosure of the old temple of Jyesh- 

 teswara, was expanded into the magnificent peristyle of Marttand. 



7. — The pillars of all the colonnades now existing in Kashmir are 

 similar in style and in general appearance, but somewhat different in 

 their relative proportions, and in the mouldings of their bases and capi- 

 tals. As these columns are, in my opinion, the noblest specimens of 

 the Kashmirian architecture, I will now examine them in minute detail, 

 for the purpose of comparing them with some of the classical orders. 



XXIX.— Pillars. 



1 . — There are several Sanskrit names for a pillar, but the most usual 

 one is stambha WW, which is derived from stha ^T, "staying," or 

 "standing," and is an exact equivalent to the Greek o-tuAos. As this 

 name is still used throughout India for a pillar, I do not think it neces- 

 sary to notice any of the numerous Hindi names which are of less 

 common occurrence. 



2. — The Kashmirian pillars are of two kinds, round and square : 

 and are distinguished from the numerous varieties of Hindu pillars 

 generally by being always divided into the three distinct members of 

 base, shaft and capital. The square pillars are used in all corner posi- 

 tions where superior strength and solidity are required to support the 

 greater weight of those parts of the superstructure. In the only exist- 

 ing examples at Marttand and Avantipura, their faces are panelled. 



3. — The round pillars are used throughout the colonnades, and for 

 the support of porches of all kinds. They are always fluted, the num- 

 ber of flutes being 16, but sometimes 20, and even 24. These fluted 

 pillars would seem to have been the favorite ornament of all the Kash- 

 mirian buildings, both Hindu and Mahomedan, as they are found, more 

 or less perfect, in every place of note throughout the valley. Some- 

 times they are discovered lying by the road-side ; occasionally they are 

 seen standing amidst the ruins of the temples which they once sur- 

 rounded, but more generally they are found attached to the doorways 

 of Mahomedan masjids and tombs. 



2 x 



