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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