Structural Temples Of Gujarat - Book Summary

The book "The Structural Temples of Gujarat" by Dr. Kantilal F. Sompura, published by Gujarat University in 1968, is a comprehensive historical and architectural survey of structural temples in Gujarat up to 1600 A.D. The author aims to provide an exhaustive and up-to-date account of these monuments, incorporating information from epigraphic and literary sources, as well as from personal visits to previously unnoticed or cursorily described temples.

Here's a summary of its key aspects:

Scope and Objective:

The book focuses on structural temples built in Gujarat, including Saurashtra and Kutch, up to the year 1600 A.D.
It seeks to identify and analyze the architectural canons discernible in the remains of these temples.
The work aims to provide a chronological survey and classification of temples based on their architectural forms, addressing a long-felt desideratum in the study of Gujarat's architectural heritage.

Historical Context and Evolution:

Early Traditions: The book begins by tracing the origins of temple architecture in India, from the Indus Valley Civilization and Vedic references to the evolution of caitya-grihas (Buddhist/Jain halls) and early Brahmanical cave temples.
Regional Styles: It highlights the development of a regional style in Gujarat, evolving from a common Western and Northern Indian architectural order into the distinct Caulukyan (Solanki) style flourishing between 942 and 1300 A.D.
Chronological Survey: A significant portion of the book is dedicated to a historical survey of structural temples, categorizing them by periods:
- Pre-Caulukyan times (Gupta, Maitraka-Gurjara, Post-Maitraka periods).
- The Caulukyan period (942-1299 A.D.), detailing temples from the 10th to 13th centuries.
- Structural temples after the end of the Caulukyan period up to 1600 A.D., covering the 14th, 15th, and 16th centuries.

Architectural Analysis:

Component Parts: The book systematically breaks down the temple structure into its principal component parts, including the garbhagriha (sanctum), mandapa (hall), antarala (vestibule), ardhamandapa (porch), pradaksinapatha (circumambulatory), and accessory structures like kirtitoranas, prakaras, balanakas, devakulikas, and dipastambhas.
Vertical Elements: It provides a detailed study of the vertical components, including the base (pitha), walls (mandovara), and superstructure (śikhara), analyzing their evolution and architectural treatment.
Regional Styles: The work discusses the development of regional phases of temple architecture, focusing on the Northern (Indo-Aryan) phase, with specific attention to the styles prevalent in Orissa, Rajasthan, Gujarat, Madhya Pradesh, and the Deccan. It also touches upon the Southern (Dravidian) and later Chalukyan/Hoysala phases for comparative context.
Architectural Forms: The book classifies temples into various types based on their ground plans (square, rectangular, octagonal) and superstructures (pyramidal, curvilinear), tracing the transition and evolution of these forms through different periods.
Decorative Elements: It extensively covers the decorative sculptures found on temples, classifying them as constructive, representative, and purely ornamental. It analyzes motifs like floral designs, animal figures, composite figures (like Kirtimukha and Makara), and figural representations of deities, historical persons, and social life.
Canonical Principles: A crucial aspect of the book is its attempt to correlate the architectural features of extant temples with the canonical rules found in ancient Sanskrit texts like the Purāṇas (Matsya, Agni, Garuda, Bhavishya, Visnudharmottara), Āgamas, Tantras, Brihatsamhita, and specific architectural treatises like Samarāngaṇa-Sūtradhāra, Aparājita-praccha, Viśvakarma-prakāśa, Mānasāra, and Vastusāra. The author identifies the influence of the Nāgara style and its regional variations in Gujarat, often referencing Aparājita-praccha and Samarāngaņa Sūtradhāra as key sources.

Methodology and Contributions:

Pioneering Works: The author acknowledges the foundational contributions of earlier scholars like Burgess and Cousens, and the systematic study initiated by Dr. H. D. Sankalia.
Personal Investigation: Dr. Sompura emphasizes his personal visits to temples, incorporating information from previously unnoticed or cursorily described structures.
Integration of Sources: The research integrates architectural observations with epigraphic and literary evidence, including Jain literature and traditions, to provide a comprehensive understanding of the temples.
Architectural Traditions: The book investigates the likely canonical sources influencing Gujarat's temple architecture, suggesting that while early works provided foundational concepts, later texts like Samarāngaņa-Sūtradhāra and especially Aparājita-praccha had a significant impact on the developed styles, particularly during the Caulukyan period.
Sompuras' Heritage: The author notes the continuation of traditional architectural practices among local architects known as Sompuras, who have preserved and transmitted heritage through generations.

Key Findings:

The Caulukyan period (942-1300 A.D.) is highlighted as a golden age for temple architecture in Gujarat, characterized by the elaborate and ornate Caulukyan (Solanki) style.
The study identifies specific architectural features and their evolution, such as the transition from pyramidal to curvilinear śikharas, the development of complex ground plans with projections, and the ornate treatment of pillars, capitals, and ceilings.
The book provides detailed descriptions and analyses of numerous specific temples, contributing significantly to the documentation and understanding of Gujarat's rich temple heritage.

In essence, "The Structural Temples of Gujarat" is a scholarly work that meticulously documents and analyzes the architectural evolution of temples in Gujarat, grounding its findings in historical texts, inscriptions, and direct observation, and highlighting the regional adaptations of pan-Indian architectural canons.