Indian Antiquities: Or, Dissertations Relative to the Ancient Geographical Divisions, the Pure System of Primeval Theology, the Grand Code of Civil Laws, the Original Form of Government, the Widely-extended Commerce, and the Various and Profound Literature of Hindostan:: In which the sacred edifices and symbolical rites of Hindostan and Egypt are comparedauthor, 1806 - India |
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Page 21
... marble , have steps regularly de- scending from the margin to the bottom , and Mr. Crauford observed many between three and four hundred feet in breadth . * At the entrance of all the more considerable pagodas there is a portico ...
... marble , have steps regularly de- scending from the margin to the bottom , and Mr. Crauford observed many between three and four hundred feet in breadth . * At the entrance of all the more considerable pagodas there is a portico ...
Page 32
... marble , and surrounded with porticoes , supported by marble columns , into the third or inner court of which no person was permitted to enter with his sandals on . The inside roof and walls of this pagoda are adorned with Mosaic work ...
... marble , and surrounded with porticoes , supported by marble columns , into the third or inner court of which no person was permitted to enter with his sandals on . The inside roof and walls of this pagoda are adorned with Mosaic work ...
Page 33
... marble sculp- tures it contained ; for , he ordered all those elegant statues to be disfigured , and smote off the nose of every figure in the edifice that al- luded to the Hindoo mythology . There can scarcely be a doubt , from ...
... marble sculp- tures it contained ; for , he ordered all those elegant statues to be disfigured , and smote off the nose of every figure in the edifice that al- luded to the Hindoo mythology . There can scarcely be a doubt , from ...
Page 34
... upon forty - four pillars , ranging two and two in regular order through the building , and the pavement is of marble . Twelve beautiful domes , of different dimensions , meet the eye of the spectator on his approach to [ 34 ]
... upon forty - four pillars , ranging two and two in regular order through the building , and the pavement is of marble . Twelve beautiful domes , of different dimensions , meet the eye of the spectator on his approach to [ 34 ]
Page 45
... and his actions . According to Tavernier , it is one of the most . sumptuous edifices in all India , constructed of the same beautiful red stone , or marble , with which , I before observed , the castle of Agra [ 45 ]
... and his actions . According to Tavernier , it is one of the most . sumptuous edifices in all India , constructed of the same beautiful red stone , or marble , with which , I before observed , the castle of Agra [ 45 ]
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Common terms and phrases
according adored adorned Ægyptus æra ancient animal antiquity architecture assertion astonished astronomical Aurengzeb beautiful Brahmins building called capitals caverns celebrated centre circumference Cneph colossal colours columns consecrated considered curious dæmons decorated deity described Diodorus Siculus dome Doric order edifice Egyp Egypt Egyptian Elephanta engraved erected fabricated feet former gate Gazna gold grand granite Grecian Greece Greeks groves height hereafter Herodotus hieroglyphics Hindoo Hindostan honour idol Indian Isis Jaggernaut Jupiter lofty lotos magnificent majestic manner marble massy Medinet-Habu Mithra Mohammedan mythology Nile Norden observed Oriental origin Osiris pagoda Persia pillars plant plate Plutarch Pococke portico priests pyramids reader recesses religion remarkable resemblance rites roof ruins sacred Savary sculptured Scythians Seeva sepulchral serpent shrine solar deity statue stones stupendous Sumnaut superb superstition symbol Tavernier temple Thebais Thebes theology tion traveller trees Typhon Upper Egypt vast veneration Vitruvius walls whole worship zodiac
Popular passages
Page 167 - The fig-tree, not that kind for fruit renown'd, But such as, at this day, to Indians known, In Malabar or Decan spreads her arms, Branching so broad and long, that in the ground The bended twigs take root, and daughters grow About the mother tree, a pillar'd shade, High overarch'd, and echoing walks between...
Page 234 - This plant," he .. •• observes, " grows in the water, and, amongst its broad leaves, puts forth a flower, in the centre of which is formed the...
Page 189 - For could the Arches be otherwise than pointed when the workman was to imitate that curve which branches of two opposite trees make by their intersection with one another ? Or could the Columns be otherwise than split into distinct shafts, when they were to represent the stems of a clump of trees...
Page 167 - ... six feet from the extremity of one wing to the other.— This tree not only affords shelter, but sustenance, to all its inhabitants, being covered...
Page 207 - It was in these gloomy caverns that the grand and mystic arcana of this goddess were unfolded to the adoring aspirant, while the solemn hymns- of initiation resounded through the long extent of these stony recesses.
Page 167 - Decan spreads her arms, Branching so broad and long, that in the ground The bended twigs take root, and daughters grow About the mother tree, a pillar'd shade, High overarch'd, and echoing walks between : There oft the Indian herdsman, shunning heat, Shelters in cool, and tends his pasturing herds At loop-holes cut through thickest shade...
Page 49 - It is composed of seven square enclosures, one within the other, the walls of which are twenty-five feet high, and four thick. These enclosures are three hundred and fifty feet distant from one another, and each has four large gates, with a high tower ; which are placed one in the middle of each side of the enclosure, and opposite to the four cardinal points. The outward wall is near four miles in circumference...
Page 52 - Pilgrims from all parts of the peninsula come here to obtain absolution, and none come without an offering of money ; and a large part of the revenue of the island is allotted for the maintenance of the Brahmins who inhabit the pagoda; and these, with their families, formerly composed a multitude of not less than forty thousand souls, maintained, without labour, by the liberality of superstition.
Page 174 - Numa built a temple of an orbicular form, for the preservation of the sacred fire ; intending, by the fashion of the edifice, to shadow out, not so much the earth, or Vesta, considered in that character, as the WHOLE UNIVERSE ; in the centre of which the Pythagoreans place FIRE, which they called VESTA and UNITY.
Page 166 - Hindustan for its great extent and surpassing beauty: the Indian armies generally encamp around it, and, at stated seasons, solemn jatarras, or Hindoo festivals, are held there, to which thousands of votaries repair from various parts of the Mogul empire. It is said that 7000 persons find ample room to repose under its shade. The English gentlemen, on their hunting and shooting parties, used to form extensive encampments, and spend weeks together under this delightful pavilion; which is generally...