QUESTION 2
GS1
10 marks
Estimate the contribution of Pallavas of Kanchi for the development of art and literature of South India.
WRITE IN
7 min
150 words
What the examiner wants
Assess how much the Pallavas contributed to South Indian art, architecture and literature.
EstimateAnswer exactly what the question asks.
Demand-wise check
- 1Architecture: rock-cut mandapas (Mahendra style), monolithic rathas (Mamalla style), structural temples (Shore Temple, Kailasanatha)≈35 words
- 2Sculpture: Arjuna's Penance / Descent of the Ganga≈35 words
- 3Literature: Sanskrit (Mattavilasa Prahasana by Mahendravarman I, Bharavi, Dandin at court), Tamil Bhakti (Alvars, Nayanars)≈35 words
Open in about 20 words and close in about 20.
Answer plan
IntroArchitectural phasesSculptureLiteratureLegacy for CholasEvaluation
Where marks usually go
- Only describing Mahabalipuram without the evolution of temple styles
- Ignoring literature, which is half the question
Draw this
- Timeline of Pallava temple styles: rock-cut → monolithic → structural
Value addition
- FactThe Group of Monuments at Mahabalipuram is a UNESCO World Heritage Site (1984).UNESCO World Heritage Centre
- ExampleKailasanatha temple at Kanchipuram, built by Narasimhavarman II (Rajasimha), is an early structural temple of the Dravida style.Archaeological Survey of India
Mapped topper copies
Reviewed public-source references related to this PYQ. Same-syllabus references are labelled separately.
- Ajay R Raj · AIR 109 · Page 5 ↗Reviewed PYQ reference
- Akansh Dhull · AIR 3 · Page 23 ↗Reviewed PYQ reference
- Monika Srivastava · AIR 16 · Page 3 ↗Same syllabus reference
- Akansh Dhull · AIR 3 · Page 3 ↗Same syllabus reference
Links open original public sources. MainsBuddy does not host these answer sheets.
Next: plan for one minute, write it in 7 minutes, then get it checked.