Bhumija Temples

The climate and culprit are both responsible for scanty remains in this part of the country. The nature of the soil and the climate both encourage the rapid growth of jungle vegetation, and once a building ceases to be cared for, the creeping shrubs and trees rapidly take charge, soon to tear it to pieces so that before long it becomes merely an unrecognizable mound of ruin. As regards the culprit (the Mohammedans) the Adina Masjid, built by Sikander Shah was constructed almost entirely of the materials taken from the demolished city of Lukhnauti, the capital of the Hindu dynasty of Senas.

In spite of the destraction brought about by the climate and the culprit, it is possible to discern from the remains three separate movements illustrating the course of architectural movement in this region:

1. It has two sub-branches one greater Bengal akin to Orissa, the other, an indigenous style of building, appertaining to a form of folkarchitecture, notable on account of its sectarian and sociological aspects.

2. That powerful Hindu Buddhist movement which flourished in Bihar and the Gangetic plains giving rise to monastic establishments.

3. Outcome of the “Eastern School” of art and architecture under Palas and Senas, the greater India.