4. A General Note on Architecture

Though Architecture stays as a separate field but many parts of Architecture naturally comes under the jurisdiction of Art. Modern scholars as well as philosophers of Art such as Giovanni Gentile, John Dewey, Alfred North Whitehead etc. consider Architecture as an Art which is ruled by its own particular laws.^[1] Moreover, Indian scholar S.P. Gupta also accepts Architecture as an Art.^[2] Vasudeva S. Agrawala also discusses the particular styles of Architecture followed by various dynasties of ancient India in his work The Heritage of Indian Art. The term vāstuvidyā is used to denote Architecture in Sanskrit.^[3] In the Vātsyāyaṇa’s Kāmasūtra also Vāstuvidyā i.e., Architecture is included under the sixty four Art forms. Like the other branches of Art, Architecture is also a result of prevailing outlooks and styles of different attitudes which reflects the social approaches, faiths, hopes and ideals of the society and the stage of civilization. In this context the taste and skill of the Architect is also matter along with the requirements of the society.

Among the different styles of Architecture, the temple Architecture of ancient India bears great significance. In temple Architecture, most of the members or elements of a temple are carved and those sculptured architectural pieces proofs Architecture as an Art. S.P. Gupta also agrees on it and considers Architecture as an Art in his work Elements of Indian Art.^[4] Hindu temple Architecture is the principal form of Hindu Architecture. Though there are varieties of styles of temple Architecture, the basic nature of the Hindu temple remains same. Jagatī, bhūmikā, kaṭi, kūṭa, śikhara, garvagṛha, maṇḍapa, candraśālā, āmalaka, kalaśa etc. are the basic elements of Hindu temples. The temples are said to be built in definite rules and processes.^[5] There are some ancient works viz. Bṛhatsaṃhitā of Varāhamihira, Mayamata of Mayamuṇi, Mānasāra, Samarāṅgaṇasūtradhāra etc. bears plenty of important information about Hindu temple Architecture and design. Purāṇic literature also deals with the construction of temples of ancient India. Among those purāṇas the Viṣṇudharmottarapurāṇa has a detailed discussion on the Architecture of temples of ancient India.