Grantham Inscriptions

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 – 11^th century and 16^th 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

Pallava Architecture:

• Belongs to – 3^rd and 9^th 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
• 2^nd largest ancient monolithic structure in Asia.
• Shore temple at Mahabalipuram –
  • Dedicated to – Shiva
  • Also called the Seven Pagodas.
  • Built by Narasimhaverman II

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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)

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