Pattadakal

by George Michell

The temples at Pattadakal, badami (identified with the ancient city of Vatapi) and Aihole in northern Karnataka were built by the Early Chalukyas, the most important line of kings to rule this part of the Deccan from the sixth to the eighth century. In spite of being a unique heritage spot, no English language guidebook exists on Pattadakal. As the number of visitors to the site increases, this volume will fill the lacuna, guiding tourists through the maze of monuments with their mixed architectural styles and the intricately carved sculptures on the walls, columns, and ceilings. The author provides succinct descriptions of each of these monuments highlighting the unique juxtaposition of the Nagara style of architecture of north India and the constrasting Dravida style of the south. Written lucidly with a useful glossary, the book provides interesting and useful information to the general reader, tourists and visitors to the site.

About the Author:

GEORGE MICHELL is an independent researcher. He obtained his doctorate from the School of Oriental and African Studies, University of London in 1974 for his dissertation on Early Western Chalukya architecture. His research is mainly concentrated on the Deccan, Bengal, Gujarat, and most recently, southern India.