🛕 Chapter 02 · Visual Arts · Art & Culture
Ancient Temple Architecture
Nagara, Dravidian & Vesara styles; cave temples — Ajanta, Ellora, Elephanta; Pallava rathas; Chola temples — complete notes for UPSC & PSC.
6
Sub-Topics
10
Practice MCQs
10
PYQs
⭐⭐⭐
Very High
📌 What You Will Learn in This Chapter
✅ Nagara style — shikhara, garbhagriha, mandapa
✅ Dravidian style — vimana, gopuram, mandapa
✅ Vesara style — mixed Nagara-Dravidian
✅ Ajanta caves — Buddhist paintings and sculpture
✅ Ellora caves — Buddhist, Hindu, Jain
✅ Pallava, Chola, Chalukya temple traditions
📚 Chapter Sub-Topics
Topic 01
Nagara Style of Temple Architecture
Shikhara types (rekha, phamsana, latina); garbhagriha; mandapa; major examples — Khajuraho, Konark, Lingaraja.
Topic 02
Dravidian Style of Temple Architecture
Vimana, gopuram, mandapa, tank; Pallava, Chola, Vijayanagara temples; Brihadeeswarar, Meenakshi.
Topic 03
Vesara Style & Chalukya Architecture
Mixed Nagara-Dravidian; Badami Chalukya, Rashtrakuta, Western Chalukya; Pattadakal, Aihole, Badami.
Topic 04
Ajanta & Ellora Caves
Ajanta — Buddhist paintings; Ellora — Buddhist, Hindu, Jain; Kailasa Temple; UNESCO sites.
Topic 05
Elephanta, Mahabalipuram & Other Cave Temples
Elephanta — Trimurti; Mahabalipuram — Pallava rathas, Shore Temple; Badami, Udayagiri caves.
Topic 06
Key Facts & Revision
Complete revision — all temple styles, dynasties, UNESCO sites, exam-ready checklist.
⚡ Quick Access