The author has delved deep into the thesis for a Doctorate in Philosophy must, according to the regulations of the University, either embody new facts brought to light by the candidate, or contain original deductions based upon already known facts. It is difficult to assign the following either to the one or to the other of these classes; for it contains a few facts which have been observed by the airthor However, it may be assigned to the second class, as it is mainly based on facts collected by others. He is also required to say how far the
essay is original. He does nor clum originality for most of the facts mentioned in the essay. He has fully acknowledged his indebtedness to various authors from whom he collected them. He happened to gather a number of facts on the subject, while conducting an investigation into the origin of the Linga cult. It contains 19 illustrations which he has preserved from oblivion. The author has made a deep study to explore new avenues to make the subject an indispensable one for the students and the researchers.
Nelaturi Venkata Ramanayya was an Indian-born author. He was an author. editor, and honoree. He is the author of books such as Velugotivari Vamsavali and An Essay on the Origin of the South Indian Temple.
PREFACE
A thesis for a doctorate in Philosophy must, according to the regulations of the University, either embody new facts brought to light by the candidate, or contain original deduc- tions based upon already known facts. It is difficult to assign the following either to the one or the other of these classes; for it contains a few facts which have been observed by me. However, it may be assigned to the second class, as it is mainly based on facts collected by others. I am also required to say how far the essay is original. I do not claim originality for most of the facts mentioned in the essay. I have duly acknowl- edged my indebtedness to various authors from whom I col- lected them. I happened to gather a number of facts on the subject, while conducting an investigation into the origin of the Linga cult. A hypothesis had gradually taken shape in my mind, unconsciously, as it were. A study of the theory of the origin of the Dravidian temple propounded by Mr. Longhurst (Arch. Rep. 1915-16) showed me the way in which I should conduct the enquiry. The work of tracing the evolution of the South Indian Temple step by step is entirely mine. Although I at first accepted the current theories regarding the origin of the Hindu Temple and the South Indian Vimanas, I was soon convinced that in the light of facts that came under my purview they were untenable. I had, therefore, to go deeper into the matter than I at first wanted. I have attempted to show in the course of my essay that the Hindu Temple was not modelled upon the Buddhist Stupa, but that it existed anterior to the Stupa. In fact, it served as a model to the early low domical stupa which in course of ages assumed the shape of a tower, resembling a temple Vimana. I have endeavoured to show that the South Indian Temple acquired its Vimana, as a result of a number of causes which brought the temple and the Vimana together. All these are the results of my own thinking; and so far as I am aware, I am not indebted to any one in this respect. I must express my gratitude to the late Mr. A. Mahadeva Sastri, the Curator, the Adyar Theosophical Library for his valuable assistance in lending me books, and suggest- ing to me fresh sources of information, and to my brother Mr. N. Raghavayya, M.A. for his valuable suggestions and criticisms. I take this opportunity to thank my esteemed friend Mr. K. Narasimhachari who, in spite of his multifarious activities, supplied me with all the diagrams that I wanted for the purposes of this essay. I owe a debt of thanks to my friend Mr. D. T. Subrahmanian, B.A. (Hon.), Lecturer, Islamia College, Vaniyambadi for compiling the index.
PURASWAKAM, March 21, 1930,
V. R.
