Question

The Pallava epoch witnessed a transition from rock-cut to free-standing temples – Explain.

Answer 1

Pallava Epoch:

1. The Pallava epoch witnessed a transition from rock-cut to free-standing temples.
2. Rock-cut temples were initially built by carving a rock to the required design and then rocks were cut to build temples.
3. The Pallava king Mahendravarman was a pioneer in rock-cut architecture. Mandagapattu temple was the first rock-cut temple built by him.
4. The rock-cut cave structure has two pillars in the front that hold it.
5. This cave architecture reached its decadent phase after A.D.700 and gave way to the large structural temples probably because the structural temples provided a wider scope to the sculptor to use his skill.
6. The Shore Temple at Mahabalipuram, also called the Seven Pagodas, was built by the Pallava king Narasimhavarman II.
7. The structural temples were built using blocks of rock instead of a whole block as earlier.
8. Mahabalipuram (Mamallapuram) is built of cut stones rather than carved out of caves.