History of India 6

HISTORY

Subject : History

(For under graduate student)

Paper No. : Paper - I

History of Ancient India

Topic No. & Title : Topic - 11

Peninsular India

Lecture No. & Title : Lecture – 2I

South Indian Architecture:

Pallavas Vatapi Chalukyas

FAQs

1. Name the phases of Pallava Architecture.

The development of Pallava architecture can be divided into two main phases. The Mahendra group and Mamalla group of temples constitute the first phase and Rajasimha group and Nandivarman group of temples make up the second.

2. What are the chronological boundaries of the Pallava style of architecture?

The architectural structures built during the period of Pallava political supremacy in South India, that is between AD 600 and 900, are placed under the analytical category of Pallava architecture.

3. What is the major distinction between Mahendra group of temples and the Mamalla group of temples in terms of their architectural features?

The Mahendra group of temples are comprised only of pillared halls (mandapas) which were excavated caves or open pavilions taking the shape of columned halls with one or more than one cells on the rear side. The Mamalla group of temples, on the other hand, boasts of both mandapas as well as monolithic structures (rathas).

4. How do we understand the connection of Pallava architecture and older Buddhist architectural styles?

Five out of the eight monolithic rathas built during the Mamalla phase of Pallava architecture pertain to the Buddhist vihara style. Originally the viharas were square cells organized around a square courtyard which was covered by a flat roof over pillars when a second storey came into existence. In the monolithic structures the cells lost the functional aspect and were converted into ornamental turrets.

5. What is an apsidal temple?

An apsidal temple is a temple which resembles the apse or chaityas of Buddhist caves. The Durga temple and Ladkhan temple built by the Chalukyas are apsidal temples.

6. What were the features of the early Pallava architectural edifices?

Some of the cave temples built during the first half of the Mahendra phase, such as those at Dalavannur, Trichinopally and Mandakapattu have a very primitive appearance. They have a pronounced pillar in the facade region or the facade part and these columns are very primitive in nature without ornamentations, and are somewhat rail post type constructions or compositions.

7. What were the phases through which the Dravida style of architecture developed?

The Dravida style developed through phases. The Pallava phase may be considered as the first phase; it was subsequently taken up by the Cholas, then the Padyans and finally the Vijayanagara kings. Later during the rule of the Madurai Nayakas significant changes were introduced to the tradition of Dravidian architecture.

8. What is the most peculiar feature of the architectural style as it developed under the Vatapi Chalukyas?

An amalgamation of the northern and the southern Dravidian style is the signature of the architectural genius as it developed under the Vatapi Chalukyas.

9. Briefly describe the cave temples at Vatapi constructed by the Chalukyas.

The extant examples of Vatapi Chalukyan architecture can be found in different sites, particularly in Vatapi which was their capital. Among the four cave temples in Vatapi there are three Brahmanical temples and a Jain temple. Number 1 and 3 are ascribed to Kirtivarman Mangaleshsha, and therefore belong to the mid sixth century. The largest one is cave number 3,which is dedicated to Vishnu. It has at its entrance a wonderful depiction of the cosmic dance. The fourth one is a Jain temple. The second one was excavated probably during Pulakesin II’s time. His queen Durbabaladevi may have been instrumental in excavating it. Three Brahmanical caves were royal caves and have royal pretensions, as they were larger than the fourth one which was excavated at the instance of some Jain preceptor or merchant patron of the Jains.

10. What is the contribution of Vikramaditya II to the development of Chalukyan architecture?

Vikramaditya II was reportedly enamoured of the Kailashanatatha temple. His two queens, Lokamahadevi and another Trilokamahadevi, built the Virupaksha temple and Mallikarjuna temple at Pattadakal respectively. These temples represented the Dravidian style of architecture with the typical pyramidal shape of the Vimanam.