Architecture in The Deccan

Architecture in the Deccan

• In India, different styles of temple architecture inspired by both North and South Indian temples were used in places like Karnataka. This style was primarily adopted by the Rashtrakutas
• These styles of architecture include Vesara architecture, Rashtrakuta architecture (Kailashnath temple), Virupaksha temple architecture (e.g., Virupaksha temple)

Kailashnath Temple, Ellora

• By the late 7th century, ambitious projects were started at Ellora, and by the early 8th century, these projects became even grander. The sculptures and a beautiful rock-cut elephant added beauty to the structure. By about 750 CE, the Rashtrakutas took over the control of the Deccan from the Chalukyas
• The most outstanding achievement of Rashtrakutas architecture is the Kailashnath temple at Ellora, built by Krishna 1. It was completed in the 8th century
• It is a climax of a centuries-old tradition in rock-cut architecture in India
• The Dravidian style of architecture has been implemented in the construction. It has a Nandi shrine, and the temple is dedicated to Shiva
• Structure: all the structures were carved out of a single rock. The structures comprise a gopuram-like gateway subsidiary shrines, gateways, staircases, and a 30 m tall, imposing Vimana

Vesara architecture

In the southern parts of India, especially in Karnataka, some of the most experimental styles of Vesara architecture have been found.

• In early Chalukyan architecture, many rock-cut cave temples were featured, whereas later, the architecture featured structural temples
• An example of the earliest Chalukyan architecture is the Ravana Phadi cave at Aihole, constructed around 550 AD
• Nataraja is the most critical sculpture at the site and is surrounded by the large depictions of the Saptamatrikas – 3 depictions to the left of Shiva and 4 to the right of Shiva
• The characteristics of the figures are their slim, graceful bodies with long, oval faces and extremely tall cylindrical crowns. They are wearing short dhotis marked by delicate pleats

Virupaksha Temple architecture

• The Chalukyan buildings incorporated a blend of several styles. Some famous Chalukyan temples include
• Virupaksha temple at Pattadakal: This temple was constructed in the Virupaksha temple architecture style. It was designed and constructed by the chief queen of King Vikramaditya II in the years 733-744
• Papanatha temple: Ths temple is located in present-day Karnataka and dedicated to Lord Shiva. It is one of the early examples of the Dravida tradition/style
• Mahakuta Temple (Shaiva monastery near Badami) and Swarga Brahma Temple (Alampur): These temples were designed using a blended adoption of northern styles from Odisha and Rajasthan
• Durga temple at Aihole: This temple is constructed with an apsidal shrine for its sanctum, reminiscent of Buddhist chaitya halls and surrounded by a veranda and a Nagara-like shikhara
• Lad Khan temple at Aihole (Karnataka): This temple is constructed in the Panchayatana style. The wooden-roofed temples of the hills inspire it, but it is constructed out of stone

Hoysala Temple architecture

• The Hoysalas from Karnataka expanded their empire in South India after the Chola and Pandya’s power declined. They had their centre in Mysore, where they became the essential patrons
• Some of their important temples were located at Belur, Halebid, and Somnathpur. For example, the Somnathpur temple in Somnath and Mahakuta temple in Badami
• The characteristic features of the temples they constructed include many projecting angles that emerge from the previously straightforward square temple. This plan looks like a star and is called a stellate-plan. The artists used soapstone, also known as soft stone, to carve their sculptures intricately — for example, jewellery of the gods on the walls

Hoysaleswara Temple

• The Hoysaleswara Temple (means Lord of the Hoysalas) was built by the Hoysala king in dark schist stone in 1150 at Halebid in Karnataka
• It is dedicated to Lord Shiva as Nataraja
• Hoysala temples follow some of the Vesara architecture styles and are sometimes called hybrids or Vesara
• The Hoysaleswara temple has star-like ground plans and an abundance of decorative carvings
• It has a double building with a large hall for the mandapa to facilitate music and dance. A Nandi pavilion precedes the temple

Vijayanagara Empire

• The Vijayanagara empire was founded in 1336. It means ‘city of victory
• Several international travellers, such as Italian Niccolo di Conti, the Portuguese Domingo Paes, Fernao Nuniz, Duarte Barbosa, and the Afghan Abd al-Razzaq, visited the city left vivid accounts
• Various documents written in Sanskrit and Telugu showcase the vibrant literary tradition of this kingdom
• Vijayanagara architecture blended centuries-old Dravida temple architecture with Islamic styles indicated by the neighbouring sultanates (Muslim kingdoms)
• Their sculpture is inspired by the Chola dynasty but shows the presence of foreign styles

Conclusion

The Deccan empires were established on the Deccan plateau. Their architecture was a blend of local cultures from the Indo-Islamic architecture, which was influenced by the styles of the Delhi Sultanate and later Mughal architecture. They also derived their styles from Persia and Central Asia.  In this article, some of the famous temples were described and their style of architecture.