History · X-Factor Notes
Architecture in Ancient India revision notes for UPPCS Prelims.
High-Yield Revision| Concept | What to remember | Asked in UPPCS |
|---|---|---|
| Main Temple Styles | The three main styles of Indian temple architecture are Nagara (North India), Dravida (South India, primarily between the Krishna River and Cape Comorin), and Vesara (a mixture of the two, also called the Chalukya style). | |
| Panchayatan Style | A style of temple construction where the main shrine is surrounded by four subsidiary shrines. The Dashavatara Temple at Deogarh is an example of the earliest Panchayatan temple. | |
| Gopuram | Refers to the ornamental and multi-storied structures built upon the gateways of temples in the Dravidian style of architecture. | U.P.P.C.S. (Pre) 1998 |
| Teli Temple, Gwalior |
| Concept | What to remember | Asked in UPPCS |
|---|---|---|
| Ellora Caves (Rashtrakutas) | Famous for co-existence of caves dedicated to Hinduism, Buddhism, and Jainism. The Kailasa Temple (Cave 16) is the largest monolithic structure, built by Rashtrakuta ruler Krishna I. | U.P.P.C.S. (Pre) 2009, U.P.P.S.C. (GIC) 2010, U.P.P.C.S. (Mains) 2012 |
| Elephanta Caves (Rashtrakutas) | Primarily associated with Shaivite and Buddhist monuments. Famous for the statue of Trimurti (Shiva). | U.P.P.C.S. (Mains) 2007, U.P.P.C.S. (Mains) 2009, U.P.P.C.S. (Mains) 2011 |
| Concept | What to remember | Asked in UPPCS |
|---|---|---|
| Gandhara School of Art | Flourished during the Kushana period, particularly under Kanishka. It represents a synthesis of Indian and Greek art (Indo-Greek or Greco-Buddhist). It invariably utilized green schist as its medium. | U.P.P.C.S. (Pre) 1992, U.P.P.C.S. (Pre) 1996 |
| Rock-Cut Reservoir | Evidence of rock-cut architecture, specifically a large, advanced rock-cut reservoir, was found at the Harappan site of Dholavira (Gujarat). | U.P.P.C.S. (Pre) 2006 |
| Features a perfect blend of Nagara and Dravidian architectural styles. Its Shikhar (pinnacle) is specifically built in the Dravidian style. |
| U.P. R.O./ A.R.O. (Pre) 2016 |
| Khajuraho Temples (Chandelas) | Built between the 10th and 12th centuries by the Chandela rulers. These temples are associated with both the Hindu and Jain religions. The Matangeshvara Temple there is dedicated to Lord Shiva. The Dashavatara Temple (Deogarh) is not located at Khajuraho. | U.P.P.C.S. (Pre) 1991, U.P.P.C.S. (Pre) 1993, U.P.P.C.S. (Pre) 1999, U.P.P.C.S. (Pre) 2010, U.P.P.S.C. (GIC) 2010 |
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| Gupta Temple Remains | The temple at Deogarh (near Jhansi) and sculptures in the temple at Garhwa (near Prayagraj/Allahabad) are important remains of Gupta art. Freestanding (mortar and stone) temples are believed to have originated in the Gupta period. | U.P. R.O./A.R.O. (Mains) 2017 |
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| Brick-Built Temple | The Bhitargaon Temple (Kanpur, U.P.) is one of the oldest brick temples in India. It was constructed during the 5th to 6th century A.D. (Gupta period). | U.P. R.O./A.R.O. (Pre) 2021, U.P.P.C.S. (Mains) 2013 |
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| Odishan Temples (Nagara Style) | The Lingaraj Temple (Bhubaneswar, dedicated to Shiva) and the Jagannath Temple (Puri) were built in the Nagara style. The Konark Sun Temple (also called Black Pagoda) was built by King Narasimhadeva Varman-I. | U.P.P.C.S. (Pre) 1993, U.P.P.C.S. (Pre) 1995, U.P.P.C.S. (Pre) 1997, U.P.P.C.S. (Spl) (Mains) 2004 |
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| Sun Temple location | The Sun Temple of Modhera is located in Gujarat. | U.P.P.C.S. (Pre) 1999 |
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| Gomateshwara Statue | The gigantic Gomateshwara (Bahubali) statue located at Shravanabelagola (Karnataka) was built by Chamundraya in approximately 981 A.D.. | U.P. Lower Sub.(Pre) 2009 |
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| Mahabalipuram Rathas (Pallavas) | The Rock-cut temples (Rathas or Chariots) at Mahabalipuram/Mamallapuram were constructed by the Pallavas, specifically under Narasimha Varman-I. The Draupadi Rath is the smallest monolithic temple found here. | U.P.P.C.S. (Pre) 1994, U.P.P.C.S. (Pre) 2018, U.P.P.C.S. (Mains) 2007, U.P.P.C.S. (Mains) 2011, U.P.P.C.S. (Mains) 2014, U.P.P.C.S. (Mains) 2015 |
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| Brihadeeshwara Temple (Cholas) | Located at Thanjavur, it was constructed during the reign of Rajaraja I. It is famous for having a massive statue of Nandi, considered the biggest in India. | U.P.P.C.S. (Pre) 1999, U.P.P.C.S. (Mains) 2008 |
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| Vijayanagara Architecture | Building Kalyaana Mandapas (for divine weddings) was a notable feature of the Vijayanagara Kingdom temple construction. The famous Vijaya Vitthal Temple (Hampi), known for its musical pillars, was built by Krishnadeva Raya. |
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| Gupta Period Cave Paintings | The two known surviving examples of cave paintings from the Gupta period are the Ajanta caves and the Bagh caves. Ajanta paintings (related to Jataka stories) were mainly patronized during the Vakataka period. |
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| Karle Cave | Contains the largest and most evolved rock-cut Chaitya hall of the Hinayana phase of Buddhism. | U.P.R.O./A.R.O. (Pre) 2014 |
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| Sarnath Buddha Image | The image depicting the Bhumi Sparsh Mudra (earth-touching gesture) belongs to the Gupta period. | U.P. U.D.A./L.D.A. (Spl) (Pre) 2010, U.P. U.D.A./L.D.A. (Spl) (Mains) 2010 |
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| Sanchi Stupa | Considered the best Stupa from an architectural perspective. It was constructed by Ashoka but is not connected with any incident of Lord Buddha’s life. | U.P.P.C.S. (Pre) 1991, U.P.P.C.S. (Mains) 2008, U.P.P.C.S. (Mains) 2011 |
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| Stupa Origin | The word Stupa was first used in the Rig Veda (referring to a heap or tree stem). The practice of building stupas predates the Buddhist era. |
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| Stupa Purpose | Stupas were generally repositories of relics (remains and ashes of the dead), acquiring a later votive and commemorative structure. |
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| Sarnath Importance | The site where Buddha delivered his First Sermon (Dharmachakra Pravartana). The Lion Capital of Ashoka is also located here. | U.P. Lower Sub. (Pre) 2004, U.P.P.C.S. (Mains) 2010 |
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| Earliest Rock-Cut Cave | Among the listed monuments, the Rock-cut Elephant at Dhauli (built during Ashoka’s reign, 3rd century B.C.) was made the earliest. |
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| Buddhist Monastery Plan | The Panch Mahal built by Akbar in Fatehpur Sikri was constructed on the pattern of a Buddhist monastery, inspired by the multi-storey buildings of Nalanda. |
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| Jain Cave Shrines | The Sittanavasal cave shrine is associated with Jainism. |
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