Author Description

This initial part of Volume II continues the ground-breaking attempt by the American Institute of Indian Studies to clarify and organize the principles of Indian temple architecture for Western readers through comparison of standing monuments with Sanskrit texts. On their completion, the projected ten parts of this encyclopedia will have covered the styles of temple architecture in all regions of India. Volume I covers temples in the major Dravida style of South India. Volume II treats temples in the Nagara style of North India, with Part 1 introducing pre-Nagara and Nagara structures up to circa A.D. 700. The project's aim has been to codify an appropriate technical terminology for Indian temple architecture, and to illustrate that terminology in chapters which survey the remains of temple architecture in India within a geographic and historical framework. Volume II, Part 1 consists of two books: one for text, divided into chapters that give a historical overview of the governing dynasty and an outline of architectural features for temples in each region; the other for plates that give substantial photographic documentation of the temples discussed in the text. Volume II, Part 2 is in preparation by the American Institute of Indian Studies.