Which of the following statements about Temple-Architecture are true?

(i) The freestanding (mortar & stone) temples are supposed to have originated in the Gupta period.

(ii) Ladkhan, which is one of the earliest temples belongs to Chalukya of Badami.

(iii) In Khajuraho temples, all the compartments of the temple are connected internally and externally.

(iv) Kailashnath temple at Kanchi is the earliest freestanding temple of Dravid style.

Choose the correct answer:

The correct answer is (i), (ii) and (iii).

• The correct statements about temple Architecture:
  • The freestanding (mortar & stone) temples are supposed to have originated in the Gupta period.
  • Ladkhan, which is one of the earliest temples belongs to Chalukya of Badami.
  • In Khajuraho temples, all the compartments of the temple are connected internally and externally.

Key Points

• The Gupta period temples:
  • ​Bhitargaon is a town in Kanpur district, Uttar Pradesh, India.
  • It is known for its ancient Hindu temple.
  • The largest Indian brick temple to survive from the time of the Gupta Empire. Hence statement 1 is correct.
• The Badami Chalukya architecture:
  • ​The earliest Badami Chalukya temples date back to around 450 A.D. in Aihole.
  •  According to historian K.V. Sounder Rajan, the Badami Chalukyas contribution to temple building matched their valour and their achievements in battle.
  • The Chalukya Shiva Temple (or Lad khan temple), dedicated to Shiva, is one of the oldest Hindu temples and is located in the group of monuments at Aihole. Hence statement 2 is correct.
• Khajuraho temples:
  • ​Khajuraho is a town in the Madhya Pradesh.
  • They are a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
  • The temples are famous for their nagara-style architectural symbolism and their erotic sculptures.
  • In Khajuraho temples, all the compartments of the temple are connected internally and externally. Hence statement 3 is correct.

​Additional Information

• The Pallava age
  • The Pallava age shows the transition period from rock-cut to structural temples.
    • The Kanchi Kailasanathar temple is the oldest structure in Kanchipuram.
    • It is a Hindu temple in the Tamil architectural style. Hence statement 4 is NOT correct.