Give a brief account of the contribution of the Pallavas and Cholas in the rich legacy of temple architecture of South India. (250 Words, 15 Marks) (GS-1 History)

Introduction

• Dravidian Style of temple architecture developed in many stages.
• During the reign of Pallava Rulers Dravidian Style developed but the Chola period saw the culmination of Dravida temple art resulting in the most sophisticated buildings of medieval India.

Body

Contributions of Pallava Architecture

• The Pallava period marked a significant era in temple construction, with the introduction of rock-cut temple excavation.
• The Dravidian style of temple architecture originated during their rule, evolving gradually from cave temples to monolithic Rathas and eventually to structural temples.
• The development of Pallava temple architecture can be observed in four distinct stages:
  • Stage 1: Mahendravarman I introduced the rock-cut temples. This style of Pallava temples are seen at places like Mandagappattu, Mahendravadi, Mamandur, Dalavanur, Tiruchirappalli etc.
  • Stage II: Represented by the monolithic rathas and Mandapas found at Mamallapuram. Narasimhavarman I was behind these wonderful architectural monuments. The five Rathas, popularly called as the Panchapanadava Rathas, signifies five different styles of temple architecture.
  • Stage III: Rajasimha introduced the structural temples. These temples were built using soft sand rocks. The Kailasanatha temple at Kanchi and the Shore temple at Mamallapuram remain the finest examples of the early structural temples of the Pallavas.
  • Stage IV: Structural temples built by the later Pallavas. The Vaikundaperumal temple and Matagenswara temples at Kanchipuram belong to this stage of architecture.

Contributions of Chola Architecture

• Dravidian architecture is considered to have peaked during the reign of Cholas – their reign of four centuries of Chola empire is regarded as the golden period in art and architecture.
• Rajaraja and Rajendra I built the monumental Brihadeesvara temple at Thanjavur and Gangaikondacholapuram respectively.
• The massive temples were built out of granite rock.
• Both the temples stand on an ornate Adhisthana carved profusely with intricate designs and Tamil inscriptions.
• Brihadeswara temple’s sixteen storeyed Vimana is topped by a massive octagonal monolithic Shikhara stone weighing 80,000 kilos.
• Airavatesvara temple at Darasuram surpasses both of the predecessors when it comes to an elaborate sculptural and architectural design.
• Temple building became prolific and most of them are in good state of preservation.
• Chola temple’s pyramidal vimana rose to a massive seventy metres, highest of Dravidian temples, the Pallavas, Chalukyas or Pandyas.

Conclusion

• The Pallavas laid the foundation for South Indian temple architecture with their pioneering techniques, while the Cholas elevated it to new heights with their grand and intricate structures.