inscriptions in the hassan district

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INTRODUCTION.
like completeness, there is -probably nothing in India which would convey a
better idea of what its architects were capable of accomplishing..»By a curious
coincidence it was contemporaneous with the English cathedrals of Lincoln,
Salisbury and Wells, or the great French churches at Amiens, Bheims and
Chartres, of course without any communication. But it is worthy of remark
that the great architectural age in India Should have been the 13th century,
which witnessed such a wonderful development of a kindred style (meaning
the Gothic) in Europe."
After the glories of the foregoing, mention of other buildings will appear
tame. The temples at Arsikere must have been fine structures. The Sahasrakuta
or Elkdte Jin&laya was erected in 1220 (Ak;77), by Recharasa, described
as the eminent councillor of the Kalachuryyas, who had taken refuge with the
Hoysala king Ballala, The circular porch of the Siv&laya presents some
peculiarities of construction which Mr. Fergusson has remarked upon. This
structure has been conserved by making the roof very thick, giving it any
thing but a pleasing appearance. The ruined temples of Buchesvara at
Koramangala, dated 1160 (Hn. 72) and of Chenna-Kasava at Hire-Kadlur, both
in Hassan talnq, must have been remarkable buildings. There is an image of
Vishnu reposing on the serpent in the latter which is wonderfully carved.
The Jain bastis at Bastihalli, a suburb of Halebtd, are deserving of notice,
though externally plain buildings. The turned and polished pillars in the
F&rivan&tha basti yield double reflections. This basti was erected in 1133
(Bl. 124), and the Santinatha basti in 1192 (Bl. 129). The memorial stones
to gurus at the latter are specially interesting. The guru, with his name
written over him, is represented as seated on one side of a small table like a
camp stool, called thavam-kolu, giving instruction to his disciple seated on the
other side. See Bl. 131 to 184.