Elephanta Island:
(i) Originally known as Sripuri and called Gharapuri by the local people, Elephanta is an island near Mumbai.
(ii) The Portuguese named it as Elephanta, after seeing the huge image of an elephant.
(iii) The Trimurthi (three-faced) Siva icon is an illustrative of the sculptural beauty portrayed in the Cave Temple of Elephanta.
(iv) There are impressive images of dwarapalakas (entrance guards) at the entrance of the Temple.
Kailasanatha Temple - Ellora (near Aurangabad, Maharashtra)
(i) Kailasanatha Temple was one of the 30 temples carved out of the hill at Ellora.
(ii) It was built during the reign of Krishna I.
(iii) The temple is known for its architectural grandeur and sculptural splendour.
(iv) The temple covers an area of over 60,000 sq. feet and vimanam (temple tower) rises to a height of 90 feet.
(v) This temple has resemblance to the shore temple at Mamallapuram.
(vi) The Kailasanatha temple portrays typical Dravidian features.

Pallava's Contribution to Architecture:
Pallava Period is known for architectural splendour. Pallava architecture can be classified as
(i) Rock Cut temples - Mahendravarman style
(ii) Monolithic Rathas and Sculptural Mandapas - Mamallan style
(iii) Structural temples - Rajasimhan style and Nandivarman sryle
Mahendra Style:
(i) The best example of Mahendra Varma style monuments are cave temples at Mandagapattu, Mahendravadi, Mamandur, Dalavanur, Tiruchirapalli, Vallam, Tirukazhukkundram and
Siyamangalam.
Mamalla style:
(i) The five rathas popularly called Panchapandavar rathas, signify five different style of temple architecture.
(ii) Each ratha has been carved out of a single rock.
(iii) So they are called monolithic.
(iv) The popular mandapams they built are mahishasuramardhini mandapam, Thirumoorthi mandapam and Varaha mandapam.
Rajasimha style:
(i) Narasimhavarma II, also known as Rajasimha constructed structural temples using stone blocks.
(ii) The best example for the structural temple is Kailasanatha temple at Kanchipuram.
(iii) This temple was built by using sand stones.
Nandivarma style:
(i) The last stage of the Pallava architecture is also represented by structural temples built by the later Pallavas.
(ii) The best example is Vaikunda Perumal temple at Kanchipuram.

(i) The Guptas were the first to construct temples, which evolved from the earlier tradition of rock-cut shrines.
(ii) Adorned with towers and elobrate carvings, these temples were dedicated to all Hindu deities.
(iii) The most notable rock-cut caves are found at Ajanta and Ellora (Maharashtra), Bagh (Madhya Pradesh) and Udaygiri (Odisha).
(iv) The structural temples built during this period resemble the characteristic features of the Dravidian style.

(i) Prashasti is a Sanskrit word, meaning commendation or 'in praise of'.
(ii) Court poets flattered their kings listing out their achievements.
(iii) These accounts were later engraved on pillars so that the people could read them.

(i) The Gandhara School of Art flourished during his time.
(ii) The most favourite subject of the Gandhara artists was the carving of sculptures of Buddha.
(iii) Both Sakas and Kushanas were patrons of Gandhara School.
(iv) The art of the Gandhara School was primarily Mahayana.
(v) The Mahayana Buddhist learnt the art of the carving out caves from the Greeks and become skilled in rock cut architecture.

The religious policy of Kanishka:
(i) Kanishka was an ardent Buddhist.
(ii) Kanishka's empire was a Buddhist empire
(iii) Kanishka adopted Buddhism under the influence of Asvaghosha, a celebrated monk from Pataliputra
(iv) Though a great warrior and an empire builder, Kanishka was as equal as the exponent and champion of Mahayanism
(v) Kanishka made Buddhism as the state religion and built many stupas and monasterie in Mathura, Taxila and many other Parts of his kingdom
(vi) He sent Buddhist missionaries to Tibet, China and many countries of central Asia for the propagation of buddha's gospel
(vii) He organised the fourth Buddhist Council at Kundalavana near Srinagar.

1. He was one of the best known Indo-Greek kings.
2. He is said to have ruled a large kingdom in the north-west of the country.
3. His coins were found over an extensive area ranging from Kabul valley and Indus river to western Uttar Pradesh.
4. Menander is believed to have become a Buddhist and promoted Buddhism.

1. GautamiputraSatakarni was the greatest ruler of the family.
2. In the Nasik prashasti, published by his mother Gautami Balasri, Gautamiputra Satakami is described as the destroyer of Sakas, Yavanas (Greeks) and Pahlavas (Parthians).
3. Their domain included Maharashtra, North Konkan, Berar, Gujarat, Kathiawar and Malwa.
4. His ship coins are suggestive of Andhras skill in seafaring and their naval power.

The break-up of Mauryan Empire resulted in the invasions of Sakas, Scythians, Parthians, Indo-Greeks or Bactrian Greeks and Kushanas from the north-west.

(i) Following the sangam Period, the kalabhra had occupied the Tamil country for about two and half centuries.
(ii) We have very little information about kalabhras. They left neither artefacts nor monuments. But there is evidence of their rule in literary texts.
(iii) The literary sources for this period includes Tamil Navalar charithai, yapernkalam and Peria Puranam.
(iv) Seevaka chinthamani and kundalakesi were also written during this period.
(v) In Tamilzhagam, Jainism and Buddhism became prominent during this period.
(vi) Introduction of sanskrit and Prakrit languages had resulted in the development of a new script called vattezhuththu.
(vii) Many works under Pathinenkeezhkanakku were composed.
(viii) Trade and commerce continued to flourish during this period. So the Kalabhra period is not a dark age as it is portrayed.

1. There was no restriction for women in social life.
2. There were learned and wise women.
3. Forty women poets had lived and left behind their valuable works.
4. Marriage was a matter of self-choice.
5. However, chastity (karpu) was considered the highest virtue of women.
6. Sons and daughters had equal shares in their parents property.