Indian Heritage and Monuments

The creation of large empires that brought different regions under their rule helped in the cross-fertilisation of artistic forms and architectural styles.
In Akbars capital at Fatehpur Sikri many of the buildings show the influence of the architectural styles of Gujarat and Malwa.

There were three broad types of land based on the ownership right during the Medieval period in Kerala. They were Cherikkal, Brahmaswam and Devaswam. The land under the control of the temples was called Devaswam.

The reign of the Perumals came to an end by the 12th century. Consequently, the chieftains, who were the local rulers under the Perumals, began to rule their respective Nadus independently.

The region under the control of a chieftain was known as Swaroopam. The joint family of the chieftain was also known as Swaroopam. The eldest member of the family became the ruler. There were disparities in wealth and military power among the Nadus and the chieftains fought among themselves for power.

The major Swaroopams during the period were Trippappooru Swaroopam in Venad, Perumpadappu Swaroopam in Kochi, Nediyiruppu Swaroopam in Kozhikode, and Kolaswaroopam in Chirakkal.

The reign of the Perumals came to an end by the 12th century. Consequently, the chieftains, who were the local rulers under the Perumals, began to rule their respective Nadus independently.

The region under the control of a chieftain was known as Swaroopam. The joint family of the chieftain was also known as Swaroopam. The eldest member of the family became the ruler. There were disparities in wealth and military power among the Nadus and the chieftains fought among themselves for power.

The major Swaroopams during the period were Trippappooru Swaroopam in Venad, Perumpadappu Swaroopam in Kochi, Nediyiruppu Swaroopam in Kozhikode, and Kolaswaroopam in Chirakkal.

In ancient Kerala, educational institutions attached to temples were known as Salais.

Many art forms that developed in medieval Kerala. Dance and music flourished in temples during the period. Koothu, Koodiyattom, and Kathakali were staged in the Koothambalam attached to temples. Hence these art forms came to be known as temple arts.
The ritual art forms like Theyyam, Thira, and Kalampattu were performed in Kavus (sacred groves) and other places of worship. They were more popular than the temple arts.

In ancient Indian education systems, places of learning attached to Buddhist monasteries and centres were known as Pallis, while Vedic educational institutions had other designations.

The Vijaya Vittala temple is famous for its musical pillars and stone chariot, but it does not feature a compound with seven walls.

The Vidyashankara temple at Sringeri is a masterpiece of early Vijayanagara architecture, known for its unique blend of Hoysala and Dravidian styles.

Hampi is a village and temple town recognised as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in northern Karnataka, India. It is located within the ruins of the city of Vijayanagara, the former capital of the Vijayanagara Empire.

Hampi, located on the banks of the Tungabhadra River, served as the capital city of the Vijayanagara Empire throughout its peak period.

The Virupaksha temple was built over centuries while inscriptions suggest that the earliest shrine dated to the ninth-tenth century. It was substantially enlarged with the establishment of the Vijayanagara Empire.

The Khandaraya temple in Madhya Pradesh is a Hindu temple built in the medieval period. It was built by the Chandelas in their capital city of Khajuraho. Shiva is the chief deity of this temple. The temple is the largest among the three groups of the Khajuraho complex of temples namely Kandariya, Matangeshwara and Vishvanatha temples.