The Chalukyan Architecture of the Kanarese Districts c8.s1.6

c8.s1.6

Mēguṭi is a purely Dravidian structure.¹ The projections and returns, with their flanking pilasters, along the outer faces of the walls, are characteristic of that style. But the most marked feature, which leaves no doubt about it, is the stump of the storey above the shrine, which is the first storey of a Dravidian tower and was used as an upper shrine. The rubble built up upon the roof, seen in the photograph, appears to have been put up in very late times to form a barricade against missiles and to convert it into a small stronghold or watch-tower. Pot-tiles, such as are used for drains, are inserted, in great numbers, in these walls, all sloping outwards and downwards, to fire through at those attacking the place from the courtyard. The spaces between the pillars of the outer hall were also filled in with rubble for the same reason.