Indian Architecture (Buddhist and Hindu Periods) c37.25

c37.25

A new architectural feature now becomes evident in the style. Up to this point the temples of the Chalukyan mode were provided with a cornice of no particular prominence, but nevertheless its peculiar section denoted a special origin This section takes the form of a simple quarter-round curve, added to which its bulky nature is obviously a heritage of the rock-cut type, which again derived from the overhanging thatched roof of the still older timber period As a means of protecting the structural temple from the sun and the rain, it was ineffective, and a more suitable device now appears. This takes the shape of a wide projecting eave rather than a cornice, often with a double curved section, forming not only an artistic but a most useful addition to the building, serviceable as a protection against the strong light and also as a method of warding off the heavy monsoon rains On most of the subsequent buildings this prominent eave, sometimes greatly expanded, although occasionally not curved but straight, and of exaggerated width, becomes a characteristic of this phase of the Chalukyan style An early example of its introduction may be seen in the temple of Muktesvara at Chaudadampur, a hamlet on the banks of the Tungabhadra river towards the eastern boundary of the Dharwar district. This temple measures 80 feet in length and has a tower some 55 feet in height, but it is not exactly symmetrical in plan, as there are two entrance porches on the adjoining sides, with a kind of open portico confronting the eastern doorway. In addition to the emergence of the new form of eave, this temple signifies another stage in the evolution of the style, for it illustrates the fact that the formation of the tower has now matured It shows in the design of this feature, that the well-defined stories distinguishing the early type, and also that of the Dravidian model, were being considerably reduced and their outlines obscured, by the wealth of plastic ornamentation which makes up the pattern of its sikhara The Muktesvara, which was probably produced towards the end of the eleventh century, is an elegant little structure, its innovations denoting that the building art was living and moving, but even with the marks of progress and improvement recorded above, the zenith of the style was yet to come.