▪ Describe the construction of splendid temples and sculptures by any dynasty or ruler
of the medieval period.
Answers
The Cholas built their temples in the traditional way of the Pallava dynasty, who were themselves influenced by the Amaravati school of architecture. The Chola artists and artisans further drew their influences from other contemporary art and architectural schools and elevated the Dravidian temple design to greater heights.
The Chola kings built numerous temples throughout their kingdom, which normally comprised the plains, Central and Northern Tamil Nadu and at times the entire state of Tamil Nadu as also adjoining parts of modern Karnataka and Andhra Pradesh.
In the evolution of the Chola temple architecture we can roughly see three major phases, beginning with the early phase, starting with Vijayalaya Chola and continuing till Sundara Chola, the middle phase of Rajaraja Chola and Rajendra Chola when the achievements scaled heights never reached before or since and the final phase during the Chalukya Chola period of Kulottunga Chola I till the demise of the Chola empire.
The Cholas in addition to their temples, also built many buildings such as hospitals, public utility buildings and palaces. Many such buildings find mention in their inscriptions and in contemporary accounts.
The golden palace that Aditya Karikala supposedly built for his father Sundara Chola is an example of such a building. However, such buildings were of perishable materials such as timber and fired bricks and have not survived the ravages of time.
Temple building received great impetus from the conquests and the genius of Rajaraja Chola and his son Rajendra Chola I.
A number of smaller shrines were built during the early phase of this period. Notable amongst these is the Tiruvalisvaram temple near Tirunelveli.
The temple is covered with exquisite well composed sculptures and friezes some containing comic figures. The entire cornice of the temple tower is embellished with designs of creepers and foliage. Other examples of such temples can be seen at the Vaidyanatha Temple at Tirumalavadi and the Uttara Kailasa Temple at Thanjavur.
Answer:
From Uraiyur to Thanjavur
Vijayalaya, one of the Cholas from Uraiyur, captured the Kaveri delta which was under control of the Muttaraiyar (subordinate to the Pallava kings of Kanchipuram), in the middle of 9th century. He built the town of Thanjavur and a temple for goddess Nishumbhasudeni there.
His successors extended the empire and included the regions under the Pallavas and the Pandyas too.
Rajaraja Chola is considered the greatest Chola ruler and ascended the throne in 985 CE and reorganised the administration.
Rajaraja's son Rajendra I continued his father's policies and extended his empire up to the Ganga valley, Sri Lanka and south-east Asia.
Splendid Temples and Bronze Sculpture
The splendid temples at Thanjavur and Gangaikondalcholapuram built by Rajaraja and Rajendra I are architectural marvels of medieval India.
The temples under the Cholas were the nuclie of the villages, the centre of crafts and were well endowed with land from the king and other rich people.
The produce of the land helped maintain the people working in the temple such as priest, garland-makers, sweepers, cooks, musicians, dancers, etc.
The bronze art of sculpture that was born in the Chola temples is considered to be as the finest bronze works in the world.
Agriculture and Irrigation
The Kaveri breaks into many channels before emptying itself in the Bay of Bengal. These branches were flooded by rains and deposited fertile soil on the banks which in turn helped the agriculture in this region.
By the 5th and 6th century large scale cultivation started in the Kaveri valley as forests were cleared and levelled for creating more cultivable land.
In the delta region embankments were built to prevent flooding and canals were constrcuted to carry water to the fields.
Artificial irrigation took place with the construction of wells and water tanks.
The Administration of the Empire
Peasant settlements known as ur became prosperous with the advent of artificial irrigation.
Groups of such villages formed a group called nadu and with the village council they administered the villages by collecting tax and maintaining justice.
Rich peasants of the Vellala dynasty controlled the functioning of the nadus under the watchful eye of the Chola emperor.
The Chola kings also gave titles such as muvendavelan (peasant serving three kings) and araiyar (chief) to rich people as marks of respect.
Brahmanas were given land grants known as brahmadeya whihc resulted in more and more brahmanas settling in the Kaveri valley.
Each brahmadeya was looked after by a sabha or assemble of Brahmana landholders and were highly efficient.
Trader association called nagarams also helped in the town administration.
Inscription in Uttaramerur in chingleput distric in Tamil Nadu shows how sabhas functioned and the committees that looked after irrigation works, gardens, temples, etc.
Members of these committees were chosen by lottery.
Explanation:
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