17 Rashtrakutas Pratiharas Pala

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    Temple Architecture

    Rashtrakutas, Pratiharas, Pala

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    Increase in the number and size of grants of

    land major states battling to control the

    northern plains

    Kanauj, focus of an agrarian concentration

    base of military activity an attempt to revive

    the notion of a single kingdom having primacy

    Rashtrakutas based in the

    Deccan employed the Arabs at senior

    levels of adminstration since trade was

    beginning to bring impressive profits

    Pratiharas western India

    descendants form the Gurjara pastrolists of

    Rajasthan ruled over a large part ofRajasthan and Malwa

    Palas eastern Ganges plains

    control the circuit of the Arab trade with

    South east Asia through the ports of Bay of

    Bengal

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    Creation of New

    Settlements

    Emergence of many kindgoms

    reflected in the cultural life

    with increased attention to

    regional and dynastic histor ies

    and apatronage to local

    cults clan goddesses

    whose origins went back

    to the worship of aniconic

    deities

    However, temples and worshipnow meant endowments,

    donations and

    offerings, apart from

    deification

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    The principal architectural features of a temple are asfollows:

    The sanctuary as a whole is called avimana, and

    the pyramidal or tapering roof above this is called theshikhara.

    Inside the vimanais a dark chamber, the cella, called thegarbha-griha(literally the 'womb-house'), and this isentered by a doorway on one side.

    In front of the doorway is a pillared hall, or mandapa,which serves as an assembly for devotees. In someexamples the mandapais detached from the vimanabyan open space.

    Leading up to the mandapais a porch or ardh-mandapa. In some parts of the countr y it wascommon to enclose the temple complex by a boundarywall made of rectangular cells facing inward, thusforming a courtyard.

    The Temple in its Final Form

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    Architectural Details, Decoration & Sculpture Much of the architectural character was the result of

    repetition of motifs. - the Shikharamade up of many

    miniature ones repeating themselves time and again and are

    miniature shrines.

    The origin of the Shikharais the subject of intense

    debate, due to its prominence and characteristic form. Some

    theories on its derivation: from the sphere of the

    Buddhist stupa, from the domed huts of central

    India, and also from the pyramidal covering on a

    ceremonial chariotof the Aryans.

    A direct influence from Buddhist architecture.

    For example, the introduction of the chaityaarch (kudu), and

    the unmistakable vaulted roof as survives in the Teli-ka-

    Mandirat Gwalior.

    Indian temple architecture has often been calledsculpture on a mass scale rather than true

    architecture. This is because there was little structural

    inventiveness or technical ingenuity. No attempts were made

    to solve the problems of spanning large distances, instead

    the Indian mason relied on gravity and mass for his

    structure to stand, and the piling of massive blocks one

    on top of the other ensured stability without using mortar.

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    Guilds and the Vastushastra

    Two institutions that greatly influenced temple construction brought about this close

    coordination. The first was the seni, or guilds. Initially a system of apprenticeship, the guilds

    slowly became hereditary and knowledge of temple construction and sculpture was passed

    down through the generations from father to son. A large project necessitated a guild being

    obliged to settle on the site for a long period, sometimes a generation or more.

    Thus "a large architectural undertaking became an art center from which a local

    school and style were derived."

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    Pratihara Style, 8th 9th centuries

    A low socle and a simple and relatively stunted spire

    A wall decorate with a single band of sculpted niches

    crowned by tall pediments

    An unpretentious plan consisting of only the sanctum

    and vestibule sometimes preceded by a porch

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    Temple Architecture

    The canonical Shilpa texts refer to the Nagara, the Vesara, and the

    Dravida styles of temples.The classification is made according to the

    shape and the Nagara style is defined as being quadrangular all

    over, from the base to the shikhara.

    The cruciform ground plan and the curvilinear sikhara

    are the identifying features of the Nagara style.

    Characterized by a beehive shaped tower, made up of layer upon

    layer of architectural elements such as kapotas and gavaksas- all

    topped by a large round cushion-like element called an amalaka.

    The plan is based on asquare but the walls are sometimes so broken

    up that the tower often gives the impression of being circular.

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    In terms of Architectural developments in Indo-Aryan idioms Western India was one of the richest, in

    early times. Later between early 11th and late 13th centuries, was also an important phase of

    architectural development. Pre-11th century period was marked by raids from Afghans and the resultant strife.

    Once the Delhi Sultans took over there was relative peace and prosperity and this also resulted in

    establishment of communitiesdue to prosperous trade and commerce in the region.Solanki rule also provided

    the much needed stability and Anhilwada-Pattan became the important center of culture in this region. The

    wealth, which came to this part was also largely due to its geological position on coast, which was enroute all the

    international routes from its long coast line. It was thus a focus of trade and commerce and the trading

    communities,whose general state of affluence was very high -diverted part of their resources to create a form

    of religious architecture and became one of the distinct form of architecture of that era continuing the

    finest traditions, which till date is ongoing. Many of the examples of these fine creations are no more, as the

    succeedingcenturiesof Muslim rule brought down many of these following13th century. In 15th century thispart

    was once again dominated by Muslim rule followed by Moghul take-over followed by brief andsporadic spells of Marathas until Brit ish finally took over the administration.Princely states in Saurashtra and other

    parts of Gujarat did continue, though, all were subjugated under British. The territory of Gujarat also possessed

    the unrivalled resources of crafts and building traditions, which was the other factor they had at

    their disposal, which provided a favourable climate.

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    Shiva Temple at Sander, North Gujarat - 11th century Solanki period

    The perfection of form, innovations based on canons and stylistically matured treatment of parts of building became

    important features of the achievement in the architectural expression.

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    constructed in accordance with the shilpasastra

    standing on a kharasila(basement) consisted of the

    garbhagrha(shrines) and guha-mandapa(a hall),a

    Sabha-mandapa or ranga-mandapa(assembly hall

    or outer hall/theatre hall), locally known as SitaChavadi.

    In front of the temple is the Ramakunda. On its

    sides and corners are varioussmall shrineswith the

    images of gods and goddesses namely JalasayiVishnu,

    Trivikrama, Goddess Shitala etc.

    Sun Temple @ Modhera

    SUN-worship in Gujarat is known from remote antiquityas in whole of India - indicated by the number ofinscriptions found and strengthened by the distribution

    of monumental remains

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    The general structure of main body of the temple

    enclosing the mandapa(hall) and garbhagrha

    (sanctum sanctorum) is rectangular,with its

    length inside the walls 51 feet 9 inches which is almost

    exactly double of its width of 25 feet and 8 inches.

    Total area of about 1275 sq.ft is divided into nearly

    two equal halves. The inner half occupies the

    garbhagrhaand the front one the mandapa (hall). The

    sanctum sanctorum is a 11 feet square inside.

    Between the outer walls of the sanctum sanctorumand

    that of the temple is the pradakshina-margaor

    bhrama(the circumambulatory passage). This passage

    was roofed with flat slabs laid across and carved with

    rosettes on the undersides and above this, rose the

    sikhara.

    Outside this sabha-mandapa are two pillars of a

    torana from which the arch is missing.

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    Themandapaas usual is peristylar with an octagonal nave covered by a splendidly carved dome.

    The plain walls are more than compensated by the exquisitely carved pillars and the architraves portraying scenes from the

    Ramayana.

    The sabha mandapa(the assembly hall) is carved with scenes from the Mahabharata.

    The Surya-kunda also known as Rama-kundais rectangular and measures 176 feet north to south, by 120 feet eastto west. It has many terraces and steps leading to the water level.

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