Topics Covered: Indian culture will cover the salient aspects of Art Forms, Literature and Architecture from ancient to modern times.
Pratihara style of architecture:
Context:
A rare late ninth century stone statue of Lord Shiva, which was stolen from a temple in Rajasthan and smuggled to the UK, will be returned to the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI).
Key facts:
- The stone Nataraj/Natesha murti, in “chatura pose with jatamakuta and trinetra” and almost four-feet-tall, is a rare depiction of Lord Shiva in the Prathihara style.
- It is a rare sandstone idol.
- It is originally from the Ghateswara Temple at Baroli, Rajasthan.
Pratihara empire:
The Gurjara-Pratiharas, also known as the Pratihara Empire, ruled much of Northern India from the mid-7th to the 11th century.
They were instrumental in containing Arab armies moving east of the Indus River.
Nagabhata I defeated the Arab army under Junaid and Tamin during the Caliphate campaigns in India.
Architecture:
Gurjara-Pratihara are known for their sculptures, carved panels and open pavilion style temples.
The greatest development of their style of temple building was at Khajuraho, now a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
InstaLinks:
Prelims Link:
- About Pratiharas- timeline, regions they ruled and important rulers.
- Pratihara architecture- key features.
- About Archaeological Survey of India.
- Khajuraho temples.
- What is a UNESCO World Heritage Site?
Sources: the Hindu.
