Photographer: Arthur Llewellyn Basham2019-10-152019-10-15circa 1970IM-36234http://hdl.handle.net/1885/176281Later medieval architecture took on a great many new elements, reinterpreted old ones, and even discarded a few traditions. In the example of the Temple of Teli-ka-mandir in Gwalior, for instance, there are vestiges of northern and southern architectural styles, but overall the character of the monument is greatly different from its forerunners. Height is still implicit, yet it has been mixed with a massive blockiness quite apart from early medieval styles. No tapered tower nor even rounded spires give the structure its typically organic character. Instead, the sikharas have been flattened, the capstone broadened into a tube-like canopy, and a curious pyramidal roof added to the great doorway. One is not impressed by soaring, delicately carved spires in this model. One is, rather, more aware of the sheer weight of the building and conscious of its lack of decoration. The entire effect is that of a strangely cut wooden mansion trying to look like a Gothic cathedral - which, of course, is impossible in any case at this date. What has occurred is the beginning of the decay of the older traditions and a complete reversal of spiritual interest in Indian architecture, which will run head-long into Moslem features within a quarter of a century.35mmmounted transparencyb&wsepiaimage/tiffen-AUGwaliorarchitectureslide set2019-10-15This item is provided for research purposes. Contact the Australian National University Archives at butlin.archives@anu.edu.au for permission to use.