Architecture in Ancient India Notes with PDF

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Temple Complexes & Architectural Styles

Khajuraho Group of Monuments (Madhya Pradesh)

• Builders & Dynasty: Built by the Chandela dynasty.
• Associate Dynasties (Architectural Style): The style is also associated with the Gurjara-Pratihara, Chahamana, and Paramara dynasties.
• Religious Affiliation: Dedicated to both Hindu and Jain religions.
• Specific Temples:
  • Kandariya Mahadev Temple: Built by the Chandelas; its pinnacle (shikhara) is in the Dravidian style.
  • Matangesvara Temple: Dedicated to Lord Shiva.
  • Others: Chausath Yogini, Chitragupta.
• Significance: A UNESCO World Heritage Site.
• Clarification: The Dashavatara Temple is not located at Khajuraho.

Konark Sun Temple (Odisha)

• Builder: King Narasimhadeva I of the Eastern Ganga Dynasty.
• Common Name: ‘Black Pagoda’.
• Primary Deity: The solar deity Surya (A Sun Temple).
• Architectural Style: Nagara style.

Mamallapuram (Mahabalipuram) Monuments (Tamil Nadu)

• Builders: Created by the Pallava rulers, specifically during the reign of King Narasimha Varman-I.
• Monuments: Rock-cut temples and Rathas (chariot-shaped temples).
• Famous Sculpture: “Arjuna’s Penance” / “Descent of the Ganga”.
• Specific Temple: The Shore Temple is an example of rock-cut architecture.

Other Major Temples in India

• Lingaraj Temple (Bhubaneswar, Odisha): Largest and tallest surviving temple in Odisha; built in the Nagara style.
• Jagannath Temple (Puri, Odisha): Idols of Jagannath, Subhadra, and Balabhadra are made of wood; built in the Nagara style.
• Meenakshi Temple (Madurai, Tamil Nadu): A major South Indian temple.
• Virupaksha Temple (Hampi, Karnataka): Part of the Hampi complex.
• Rajarajeshwara Temple (Thanjavur, Tamil Nadu): Built by the Cholas (not rock-cut).
• Dashavatara Temple (Deogarh, Uttar Pradesh): A Gupta-era temple.
• Modhera Sun Temple (Gujarat): A famous Sun Temple.
• Arasavalli Sun Temple (Andhra Pradesh): A famous Sun Temple.

Rock-Cut Cave Temples of India

Ellora Caves (Maharashtra)

• Patronage: Built primarily by the Rashtrakuta dynasty.
• Religious Association: A group of rock-cut temples associated with Hinduism, Buddhism, and Jainism, representing their coexistence.
• Famous Example: The Kailasa Temple (Cave 16).
  • A spectacular Shiva Temple.
  • Built by the Rashtrakuta ruler Krishna I.
  • Considered a wonder of rock-cut architecture.

Ajanta Caves (Maharashtra)

• Religious Association: Famous for Buddhist Cave Temples.
• Patronage: Mainly patronized by the Vakataka dynasty.
• Key Features:
  • Paintings: Renowned for ancient Indian mural art; one of only two known examples of cave paintings from the Gupta period.
  • Subject Matter: Primarily depict Jataka stories.
  • Famous Painting: Bodhisattva Padmapani.
  • Architecture: Consists of rock-cut monuments (more than 100 Buddha caves).

Elephanta Caves (Maharashtra)

• Religious Association: Mainly sculptured for Shaivite devotees; monuments are mostly Buddhist and Shaivite.
• Patronage: Ascribed to the Rashtrakuta dynasty.
• Famous Sculpture: The giant ‘Trimurti’ (a three-faced depiction of Shiva).

Other Important Cave Sites

• Barabar Caves (Bihar): Among the oldest surviving rock-cut caves in India, originally made for the Ajivikas by Emperor Ashoka.
• Bagh Caves (Madhya Pradesh): Contain the other surviving example of Gupta-period paintings (besides Ajanta).
• Kanheri Caves (Maharashtra): Feature a depiction of an eleven-headed Bodhisattva image.
• Western India Cluster: Other rock-cut caves are located at Nasik, Junar, Kalyan, Pitalkhora, Bhaja, and Kondane.
• Badami Caves (Karnataka): Associated with the Chalukyas.

Jain Temples

• Dilwara Temples (Mount Abu, Rajasthan): Famous Jain temples made of marble.
• Palitana Temples (Gujarat): A major temple complex located near Bhavnagar.
• Shravanabelagola (Karnataka): Known for the giant statue of Lord Gomateshwara (Bahubali).
• Sonagiri (Madhya Pradesh): A major Digambar Jain pilgrimage site with 103 temples, located near Datia.

Architectural Styles & Key Terms

• Main Styles: The three main styles of Indian temple architecture are Nagara, Dravida, and Vesara.
• Construction Style: Panchayatan is a style of temple construction.
• Dravidian Feature: A ‘Gopuram’ is the large, ornamental gateway tower at the entrance of temples.

Significant Temples Outside India

• Angkor Wat Temple (Cambodia): Originally a Vishnu Temple; construction began under King Suryavarman II.
• Borobudur Stupa (Java, Indonesia): A massive Buddhist stupa.

Historical Associations, Inscriptions & Art

• Sun Worship: The pilgrimage to Sambalpur was historically associated with Sun worship. The Sun Temple of Multan (now Pakistan) was mentioned by travelers Hiuen Tsang, Al-Masudi, and Alberuni.
• Inscriptions:
  • Junagarh Rock Inscription: Records achievements of King Rudradaman I.
  • Taxila Inscriptions: Mention a satrap named Patika.
• Art and Sculpture:
  • Gandhara Art: A style of Buddhist art that flourished under the Kushanas.
  • Milindapanha: A Buddhist text recording a dialogue between King Menander (Milinda) and Nagasena.
  • Rock-cut Elephant at Dhauli (Odisha): One of the earliest rock-cut sculptures from the Mauryan period.
  • Headless Statue of Kanishka: Found in Mathura.
  • Udayagiri (Odisha): Has an early Varaha Image (Vishnu’s boar incarnation).

Location Key of Important Sites

• Karnataka: Hampi, Shravanabelagola, Badami
• Andhra Pradesh: Nagarjunakonda, Arasavalli, Lepakshi Temple (also known for mural paintings)
• Odisha: Shishupalgarh, Konark, Bhubaneswar (Lingaraj Temple), Puri, Dhauli, Udayagiri
• Puducherry: Arikamedu
• Maharashtra: Elephanta, Ajanta, Ellora
• Uttarakhand: Badrinath
• Himachal Pradesh: Baijnath Dham
• Uttar Pradesh: Sarnath, Deogarh, Naimisharanya (Sitapur district)
• Madhya Pradesh: Sanchi, Khajuraho, Bhimbetka (prehistoric rock shelters), Sonagiri (Datia)
• Rajasthan: Mount Abu (Aravali Mountains), Jaipur (Hawa Mahal)
• Gujarat: Modhera, Palitana (near Bhavnagar)

Know More about Architecture in Ancient India:

• Architecture in Ancient India One Liner Questions & Answers
• Architecture in Ancient India– Old Year Questions and Answers