Tag: ancient civilizations in river valleys

Indian temple architecture is traditionally classified into three main styles: Nagara (North), Dravida (South), and Vesara (a hybrid of the two). The statement correctly identifies the two primary styles.

The style of a temple is primarily identified by the shape and design of its tower, known as the Shikhara in the Nagara style and the Vimana in the Dravida style.

The Gondeshwar temple is located in Sinnar, a town in the Nashik district of Maharashtra, India. It is an 11th-12th century Hindu temple. Its main shrine is dedicated to Lord Shiva. The main shrine is surrounded by 4 subsidiary shrines. That is why it is an example of Panchayatana temple.

The temple built at the beginning of the Gupta period (300 to 350 A.D.) consists only simple square cell the garbhagriha or sanctum sanctorum, in front of which there is a covered verandah, a portico, which consists of four heavy pillars supporting a stone roof.

Temple in Maharashtra built during the 12-13th centuries are known as Hemadpanti Temples. This style is named after its founder Hemadpant (1259-1274 CE). He was the prime minister in the court of Seuna Yadavas of Devagiri.

The Bamiyan Buddhas were monumental statues carved into the cliffs of the Bamiyan Valley in Afghanistan, which were destroyed in 2001.

The development of spinning and weaving is associated with the Neolithic Age, as this period saw the transition to settled agriculture and the production of textiles.

Harappan culture is recognized for advanced metallurgical techniques. Archaeologists have discovered usage of copper, bronze, tin, silver and gold. It was the first time that silver was extracted and used in Indus valley Civilisation. Its usage was mainly in the ornaments such as hair beads, necklace etc. Though it was also hammered to form thin sheets which could have been used to garnish eatables such as sweets. 

Indus valley civilisation identified as urban settlement is believed to flourish during 3000-1500 BC. It's chief characteristics were permanent settlement and practice of settled agriculture, Trade was a prominent feature of its urban areas. Their accomplishment in art and culture ia also to be noted. This whole Indus valley civilisation can be divided into Early, Mature and later phases given their progress and expanse.

Evidence of urban planning can be seen at Dholavira. This settlement has been divided by archaeologists into three sections – the ‘citadel,’ the ‘middle town,’ and the ‘lower town.’ The city streets were based on a grid system and oriented east to west. The roads and streets intersected at right angles. Each street had a well-organized drain system.