stambha

English

Etymology

Loan of Sanskrit स्तम्भ (stambha), from the root स्तम्भ् (stambh) or स्तभ् (stabh), which is connected to the root स्कम्भ् (skambh) seen in स्कम्भ (skambha).

Noun

stambha (plural stambhas)

1. (Indology) A pillar or column.
   • J. E. van Lohuizen-de Leew, "Two Notes on Mathura Sculpture", in: Jean Ph. Vogel (ed.), India antiqua (1947), p. 235.

     "the relief on the stambha shows us that the large bowls were placed on pediments"

Usage notes

Mostly as a proper noun (as part of the name of a specific pillar, or of the mythological concept), capitalized as Stambha, very rarely used as a common noun in specialist Indological literature of the type of pillars found in Indian temple architecture.