Thread by @wiavastukala

Depiction of a temple having a dome and entrance framed within a 'pointed arch'
Dated: ~1-3rd century CE
Entrance is likely derived from arched torana with concentric arches, space between them is beautifully decorated with scrollwork and floral patterns. #Gandhara

Dome of the temple was capped by Kalasha.

Fortunately there are various temples same features which survived the wrath of Islamic invaders. See the one in below link

Link: m.facebook.com/story.php?stor…

In the above temple, we can see the space for similar projected door frame.

Head of Skanda, Peshawar

Dated: ~2-3rd century CE

3-D reconstruction of main Stupa and surrounding arcades, Sardar Tepe, Ghazni(Afghanistan)

General plan of stupa is T-shaped above which a ' hemispherical' Stupa rests. Stupa is surrounded by a series of Arcades on three sides.

Credit: Italian archeological mission in Ghazni

Relief depicting Stupa, Gandhara
Dated: 2nd century CE

Design of Stupa is architecturally unique. Stupa appears to be square in plan at the centre of which is dome Stupa resting on cylindrical base.
@Chandrapida1 @TrueIndology

Continued..
Top portion of dome is decorated with lotus petals(as common in Indian architectural tradition. Indian dome derived from Stupa ,is always decorated with lotus petals unlike their Persian counterparts.).

3. Another interesting feature of this Stupa is four towers(somewhat similar to Chakri Minaret) at the corners of square plinth. Height of these towers is less than the central monuments. Most popular monuments of this concept is Taj Mahal.

Burmese temples of Bagan also follow this concept. However, in Burmese temples towers at the corners are replica of central tower forming quincunx pattern. This pattern can be repeated in successive tiers as observed Bengali and south India tradtional architecture.

4. This concept also appears throughout SE Asia. In My-Son Temple of Vietnam this concept is used prominently. In My son temple 4 turrets attached to the corners of cubical lower tier of temple.

Garuda from Ghazni, Afghanistan
Dated: ~3rd century CE or older

Lion carved on marble from Ghazanavid palace, Afghanistan
It is usually believed to be of Ghazanavid era which is wrong. It was either looted by Ghaznavi during his India campaign or part of older pre-islamic heritage. It is carved in a typical begram ivories fashion.

Elephant carved in marble, Ghazanavid palace, Afghanistan
Part of loot by Ghazanavi during his India campaign. There are no sculptures of elephant from Afghanistan or beyond which are carved so perfectly.

Chhatari(s) are integral to Indian architecture since...

Small Cell/Temple still intact in its original form(sans exterior decoration), Khyber Pakhtunkhwa
Dated: 4-5th century CE or older
Depiction of such temples are abundantly visible in sculptures of Gandharan region.

Some Temples were flanked by cylindrical towers(as in Taj Mahal) located at the corners of square platform. There are three entrances one rectangular doorframe flanked by typical Indian pointed arched aisle.

One of the aisles with pointed arched openings. Span of arch is equal to that of raise of arch.

Temples are usually dated between 4th and 5th century CE. Actually these temple forms could be no later than ~2nd century because a lot of them are already depicted in #Gandharan sculptures dated 2nd century CE.

Dome of temple essentially derives its form from contemporary Stupa(s). Originally it would have been adorned with lotus petals and surmounted by the Kalasha.

Typical Indian 'pointed arch' opening from Takhte Bahi monastery dating back to ~4-5th century CE
It emulated the shape of sacred lotus petals.
@IndiaHistorypic @TrueIndology @ReclaimTemples

Bodhi leaf plaque excavated from Ghazni

Ogee arch forms derived from this very shape. Buddha and other deities were often depicted within this Bodhi leaf frame which later transpired into its structural usage.

Dated: ~3rd century CE

Evolution of #dome in #Indian #architecture

#Hindu buildings/#temples have lotus or Amalaka and Kalasha atop it
#Buddhist temples have conical spire atop dome as seen in #Stupa and a lot of temples from antiquity.

Departure of Siddhartha

Here chariot is interesting . Rams(?) Are pulling chariot instead of usual horses. A whirling sun symbol can be seen on each of ram though with opposite rotation probably more of a philosophical implication.

Dated: ~2-3rd century CE or older

#history of #indian #music

Left: Minaret Chakri dating back to ~1st century CE or even older
Right: sculpture depicting the Stupa flanked by four towers
Towers depicted in sculpture are same to the one freestanding constructed tower in the left.
The tower is 95feet high with a Damaru capital. Lions lost

This tower is living testimony of ancient bygone era. Once it would have been common site in Punjab and Gandhara not any more. This form of circular tower which influenced the towers or minarets of middle East and central Asia not vice versa. #ReclaimTemples #architecture

Minarets attached to the building itself is Indian tradition as Sculptural depiction of such Stupa and Temples suggest. Here is another one. In India lions were replaced by Chhatari serving the purpose of watch towers as well.

Here is another image of Minaret Chakri. Similarity with scupltural depiction is just beyond obvious. Probably there was some Stupa or temple here razed to the ground. It is one of the four towers. #ReclaimTemples #ReclaimArchitecture

This is another fragment of Sculpture dating back to 2nd century CE...depicting departure of Siddhartha..but this not important.. important is depiction of palace..note the the second storey of palace supported on pointed arches.. #ReclaimTemples #ReclaimArchitecture

So this sculpture depicts Islamic architecture 500 years before birth of Islam or is it Indian architecture dubbed as Persian, Indo-sarcenic and what not? @ReclaimTemples @Chandrapida1 @TrueIndology @aryabhatti

Here is another image of Minaret Chakri. Similarity with scupltural depiction is just beyond obvious. Probably there was some Stupa or temple here razed down to the grounds. It is one of the four towers flanking temple or Stupa.
Dated: ~1st century CE

Link to sculptural depiction of such towers: m.facebook.com/story.php?stor…

Finely carved hollow domical part of reliquary imitating the shape of stupa
Dated: ~2nd century CE
Domical part of reliquary is basically hollow stupa encircled by lotus petal(arch) mouldings.

Remains of pointed arched niche,Taxila
Dated: ~5th century CE or older
Pointed arch took ~300more years to reach to middle East and Egypt before that they used typical Roman arch.
This niche once housed image of Buddha or some divinity. #ReclaimTemples

Peacock seal of Tepe Sardar monastery, Ghazni
Inscribed pottery fragments excavated from the same site called it "Kanishka Maharaja Viharaya"(meaning 'for the monastery of great king Kanishka').

Dated: ~2nd century CE

Photo credit: Italian archeological mission in Afghanistan

Lotus flower stemming from water as sculpted in one of the finest Gandharan sculpture
Dated: ~2nd century CE
Fishes and other aquatic creatures are depicted here. In the way river currents are sculpted, reminds me of Hoyasala sculptures.