The first temple-building activity in India began during the rule of which dynasty?
Show answer & explanation
Correct answer: A
Explanation
The correct answer is Option 1: Gupta Dynasty.
Explanation:
The first systematic activity regarding the construction of free-standing temples in India began during the Gupta period (4th to 6th centuries CE). For this reason, the Gupta period is referred to as the 'Golden Age' of Indian art and architecture.
Evolutionary Sequence: Prior to the Gupta period, religious sites were often created by carving into caves (such as Ajanta and Ellora). Gupta rulers initiated the construction of free-standing structural temples using stone and bricks.
Early Forms: In their initial stages, Gupta-era temples were quite simple. They typically consisted of a small square chamber known as the 'Garbhagriha' (sanctum sanctorum) and a flat roof. In later periods, *Shikharas* (spires) began to be constructed atop the roofs.
Famous Temples: Dashavatara Temple at Deogarh (Uttar Pradesh): This serves as an early example of the *Panchayatana* style and the *Shikhara*.
Temple No. 17 at Sanchi: This is one of the simplest and earliest temples of the Gupta period.
Bhitargaon Temple (Kanpur): This is a rare Gupta-era temple constructed entirely of bricks.
Major Styles of Temple Architecture:
- As time progressed, building upon the foundations laid during the Gupta period, three primary styles of temple architecture evolved in India:
- Nagara Style: Popular in North India (characterized by curvilinear *Shikharas*).
- Dravida Style: Popular in South India (characterized by pyramidal *Vimanas*).
- Vesara Style: Prevalent in the region between the Vindhya range and the Krishna River (a hybrid blend of the Nagara and Dravida styles).
Additional Information (Analysis of Other Options):
- Ahom Kingdom (Option 2): Dating from the post-13th-century period in Assam, this kingdom is renowned for its distinctive temple architecture and *Maidams* (burial mounds).
- Vijayanagara Empire (Option 3): Dating from the 14th to 16th centuries, this empire is celebrated for its grandeur and the magnificent temples of Hampi. Gurjara-Pratiharas (Option 4): They constructed magnificent temples (such as the early temples of Khajuraho) in North India between the 8th and 11th centuries.
Important Questions for Upcoming Examinations:
Question: In which Gupta-era temple is the first evidence of a 'Shikhara' found?
Answer: The Dashavatara Temple at Deogarh.
Question: What is the main part of a temple called where the idol of the principal deity is enshrined?
Answer: Garbhagriha.
Question: Where is the famous brick-built Gupta-era temple located?
Answer: Bhitargaon, Kanpur (Uttar Pradesh).