Questions and recommendations for the Hindu architecture exam:

1. There are 10 slides in the powerpoint depicting 10 (slides no. 5 and no. 6 are showing one and the same Kailasanatha temple, but slide no. 4 shows two different rathas in Mamalapuram). The slide for a visual row which allows one to explain the development of major forms in Hindu architecture from the 4^th to the 13^th centuries CE.

• Yet before dealing with the progression itself it would be useful to answer a question why is it that Hindu architecture often being qualified as architectural sculpture rather than architecture per se. Answers are twofold: (1) one is about the technique in which some of the building were created; (2) is about the usable area of the building in relation to its external dimensions, and in general about the way the buildings were used.

• There is another basic question: how different parts of the temple are called and how they were used (garba griha; jaga mohan = mandapa; bogh mandir and nat mandir; gopuram).

• Returning to the progression in slides, one should first of all identify all the buildings and do some background check on them (all of them fabulously represented on internet). The most basic data for each structure should be included in the text of the exam.  

•  Finally, the exam should explain the development of architectural forms within the sequence of structures represented by power point. Comments on the development of forms should added to the paragraphs providing basic data for each structure.

• The last slide (no. 11) in the sequence shows Buddhist, rather then Hindu structure thus allowing to rise the question of the influence exhorted by the Hindu architecture on later Buddhist architecture in India.

Good luck,

AIN