History of the Pallavas of Kanchi c11.s1.58

c11.s1.58

² T. A. G. Rao. *Ibid.*, vol. xvii, p. 14. This short record is of importance inasmuch as it records that before the time of Vichitrachitta bricks, timber, metal and mortar were the common temple-building materials. This falsifies the notion that structural temples were non-existent before the seventh century A.D. in South India, a view based on the absence of the remains of any previous to this period. This statement in the Mandagappattu inscription warrants the conclusion that such temples were in existence before.