Indian Culture

Kotravai Sculpture from Pallava period unearthed near Ulundurpet

★★★★★ 4.5/5

General Studies I, History, Indian Culture, Kotravai Sculpture, Pallava Period, Ulundurpet

Prelims: Pallava period

Mains: General studies I – Indian Culture – Salient aspects of Art Forms, Literature and Architecture from ancient to modern times.

Why in the News ?

A team of archaeological researchers has discovered an eighth-century Kotravai sculpture, an artefact that dates back to the Pallava period, near Ulundurpet.

Source: The New Indian Express

Key Facts 🗝️

The idol is depicted with eight hands, indicating its origin in the eighth century during the Pallava period.
The sculpture depicts various elements such as chakkara, sword, bell, and abhaya mudra in the right hands
Kotravai is portrayed standing on the head of a buffalo, with two guards on each side

About:

Pallava Dynasty :
- Emergence: The Pallavas rose to power during the reign of Mahendravarman and Narasimhavarman-I.
- Region: The Pallavas established their authority over south Andhra Pradesh and north Tamil Nadu, with the capital at Kanchi.
  - Kanchi: Under them became an important temple town and a centre of trade and commerce.
- Society & Culture:
  - The social composition in the Pallava period witnessed the growing effects of Aryan culture.
  - Because of this impact, a leading position was assigned to the Brahmins both in status and in the grant of lands.
  - Aryanization was visible in the field of education.
  - There were three types of places during this time:
    - Ur: Peasants lived here and it was headed by a headman who collected and paid the taxes to the government.
    - Sabha: THese were the land granted to the Brahmins, also called as Agrahara villages. These were tax-free.
    - Nagaram: Merchants and traders resided at this place.
- Religion:
  - - - Pallavas were the followers of Hinduism and made gifts of land to gods and Brahmins.
      - In contact with the frequent customs, some rulers performed the Aswamedha and other Vedic sacrifices.
      - The Chinese monk Xuanzang who visited India during the power of Narasimhavarman I reported that there were 100 Buddhist monasteries, and 80 temples in Kanchipuram.
- Architecture:
  - The beautiful Pallava architecture can be divided into four styles:
    - Mahendra style (600-625 AD).
    - Mammala style (625-674 AD).
    - Rajasimha and Nadivarman style (674-800 AD).
    - Aparajita style (early 9th century).
  - The Pallava era witnessed a transformation from rock-cut to free-standing temples.
  - Mahendravarman was an explorer in rock-cut architecture. Mandagapattu temple was the first rock-cut temple developed by him.
  - Narasimhaverman II also known as Rajasimha built the famous Kanchi Kailashnath Temple during the late 7th century AD.
  - The Shore Temple was also built by Narasimhaverman II. It is the oldest temple in South India. It’s a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1984.
  - The Vaikuntha Perumal at Kanchipuram was built by Nandivarman II.
  - The Dravidian type of architecture started with the Pallava reign.