Indian Architecture (Buddhist and Hindu Periods) c23.12

c23.12

The second group of the first phase of Pallava architecture, mainly executed during the reign of Narasimhavarman I (A.D 640-68), while still adhering to the rock-cut method, in addition to a series of mandapas, is also represented by a number of rathas or monoliths. Practically all the examples of this group are found on one site, marking the position of the deserted seaport town of Mamallapuram, and named after its royal founder, one of whose titles was Mahamalla. This archaeological record of the one-time might of the Pallavas lies towards the mouth of the Palar river, thirty-two miles south of Madras, and indicates that here was the harbour for Conjeeveram, the capital seat of the dynasty, situated some forty miles up the river. Here the configuration of the coastline was singularly suitable for its purpose, as rising out of the sand near the seashore was a large rocky hill of granite gneiss, aligned from north to south, measuring half a mile long and a quarter of a mile wide with a height of over a hundred feet. Detached from this main prominence, and towards the south, was another and much smaller rocky outcrop, consisting originally of a whale-backed mound of granite about two hundred and fifty feet long and fifty feet high. It was out of these two formations that the rock architecture of the Mamalla group was excavated and sculptured. As already implied, however, in conjunction with the rock productions, there was a large amount of structural architecture some of it of considerable importance, but all of which has perished. There are still visible foundations of a citadel which may be traced on the heights of the large hill and within this were palaces and similar royal residences, apparently built on raised masonry basements, while the buildings themselves consisted of a wooden framework filled in by brick and plaster walls. As was not an uncommon practice, therefore the secular buildings were structural while the halls for religious purposes were quarried out of the natural rock.