Question

Temple architecture in Medieval India evolved in several stages. Substantiate the statement using suitable examples.

Answer 1

Solution:

Temple architecture in Medieval India did evolve in several stages. Temples like the Pancharathas in Mahabalipuram are carved out of a single, solid rock. We have a number of such rock-cut temples built between the 6th and the12th centuries.

Then, we observe a new style of temple architecture appearing in the following period. In this style, tall temples were built from chiselled rocks. Most of these temples were multi-storeyed. The Brihadiswara Temple in Tanjavoor exemplifies this style.

Later, the style of adorning the walls of temples with carvings became mainstream. The Khajuraho Temple in Madhya Pradesh is an example of this style.

These examples prove that temple architecture in Medieval India indeed evolved in several stages.