This is one of the rarest classics of A.K. Coomaraswamy on Indian Art History. Essentially,it deals with the vertically rising 'Skambha' (Pillar) and the spherically spreading ' Stu-pa',the two basic constituents of 'Indian Architecture. He defines their symbolism which went into th making of their art through the ages, beginning with the Rgvedic period period. Without this symbolism, e.g. Architectural Representation of the World Creation, or the 'Ekastambha' (University Pillar) representation of the World sustenance thought the Sun's daily Journey, the traditional Indian arts have no meaning. Coomaraswamy deals with the faiths and beliefs of the people, which are metaphysical in essence,as primarily as he dealt with the situation and it is only by this study that Indian Art can be understood.About the Author Ananda Kentish coomaraswamy was born on 22nd August 1877 at Colombo (Ceylon). His father sir Mutu coomaraswamy, a barrister by profession, was also a scholar. Dr. coomaraswamy lost his father before he was two and he was brought up by his English mother in England where he lived for about a quarter of a century. He was educated first at Wycliffe college at Stone-house in Gloucester-shire and later at the University of London from where he received a doctorate in Science. The Natural Sciences, particularly geology,where his initial interests culminating in this appointment as director of the mineralogical Survey of Ceylon when he was only 25. For thirty years from 1917 until 1947 ( The year of his death ),he worked at the Museum of fine Arts Boston (U.S.A.), his copious publications laying near foundations for a study of Indian Art history. Moved by an unlimited thirst for knowledge (Jijnasa) which he saw as a Philosophic perennis, and with indefatigable spirit and untiring devotion to work, he produced nearly 500 works : 40 books and more than 450 articles, some of them, as this, of fairy large size, covering Art, Architecture and Aesthetics; Sculpture and iconography;Drawing, Painting and calligraphy;Bronzes and metal-ware; seals and terracottas; textiles and handicrafts; Literature and philology; and society and Culture. All this work is marked by characteristic precision, accuracy and mathematical brevity. His statements are. In fact, sutras (dicta) which are meant for universal application and time has not been able to disprove them.