Context:
A team of archaeologists recently discovered two stone inscriptions of ‘Grantham’
Grantham Inscriptions:
- Grantha – Historical script that was once used to write Sanskrit throughout South East Asia and greater Tamil Nadu.
- Date back to – 11th century and 16th century
- Originated from – Pallava script
- Used for – Writing Manipravalam, a blend of Tamil and Sanskrit.
- Similar to – Tamil and Vatteluttu script
- Other influences – Malayalam script in Kerala, Southeast Asian and Indonesian scripts, such as Thai and Javanese, and South Asian scripts like Tigalari and Sinhala
- Evolution – Divided into 4 periods.
- Archaic and ornamental
- Known as Pallava Grantha.
- Transitional
- Belongs to – Later Pallavas and Pandyan
- Medieval
- Belongs to – Imperial Cholas of Thanjavur
- Modern
- Belongs to – Later Pandyas and Vijayanagara
- Archaic and ornamental
Pallava Architecture:
- Belongs to – 3rd and 9th CE AD
- Known for its – rathas (temples in the form of chariots), mandapas (cave sanctuaries)
- Divided into 4 phases:
- Mahendra style (rock-cut temples)
- Mammala style
- Rajasimha and Nandivarman style (Pallava style attained full maturity)
- Aparajita style
- Significance – Witnessed a transition from rock-cut to free-standing temples.
- Examples – Kanchi Kailasanatha Temple, Shore Temple at Mahabalipuram
Mahabalipuram:
- Ancient seaport of the Pallava kingdom
- Includes – Rock cut temples, monolithic structures, rathas (chariot temples), mandapas (caves) and numerous Siva sculptures.
- UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1984
- Famous for – Arjuna’s Penance or Descent of the Ganges
- 2nd largest ancient monolithic structure in Asia.
- Shore temple at Mahabalipuram –
- Dedicated to – Shiva
- Also called the Seven Pagodas.
- Built by Narasimhaverman II
Previous Year Question
Consider the following events in the history of India:
1. Rise of Pratiharas under King Bhoja
2. Establishment of Pallava power under Mahendravarman-I
3. Establishment of Chola power by Parantaka-I
4. Pala dynasty founded by Gopala
What is the correct chronological order of the above events, starting from the earliest time?
[UPSC Civil Services – 2020 Prelims]
(a) 2 – 1 – 4 – 3
(b) 3 – 1 – 4 – 2
(c) 2 – 4 – 1 – 3
(d) 3 – 4 – 1 – 2
Answer: (c)