History • Ancient IndiaHard
Analyze the administrative and architectural features of the early Pandyan rock-cut cave temples in Tamil Nadu: 1. The rock-cut cave temples at Malaiyadikurichi and Tirumalainallur exhibit distinctive early Pandyan architectural styles characterized by simple pillars and sanctums. 2. Unlike Pallava cave monuments, Pandyan rock-cut shrines completely avoided the use of stone sculptures of deities in their inner niches. 3. The inscriptions found in these Pandyan caves are predominantly written in Tamil Brahmi and Vatteluttu scripts. Which of the statements given above are correct?
A. 1 and 3 only✓ Correct Answer
B. 2 only
C. 1, 2 and 3
D. 1 only
💡 Solution & Explanation
Statements one and three are correct because early Pandyan cave architecture exemplified by sites like Malaiyadikurichi features rock-cut shrines adorned with bas-relief sculptures and inscriptions etched in Vatteluttu and Tamil Brahmi scripts. Statement two is incorrect because Pandyan cave temples prominently feature sculpted figures of deities such as Shiva, Vishnu, and various lesser divinities inside the sanctum niches. The Pandyan rulers patronized both Shaivism and Vaishnavism alongside Jainism.
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