The early Chalukyas of Badami (c. 6th-8th centuries) are known to have built a large number of rock-cut and structural temples, scattered over the entire Karnataka. In this south Indian state, their distinctive monuments can be seen in Aihole, Badami, Pattadakal, Mahakuta, and a few other places. By the end of the 6th century, they had also excavated highly impressive rock-cut temples at Badami and Aihole. These Early Chalukyan monuments are of special interest - for they mark a transition from cutting into rock to free-standing constriction. They are distinctive for their architectural styles as well. In these religious monuments can also be perceived an intermingling of Dravida and Nagara idioms to produce schemes that combine myriad attributes, derived from different traditions. This splendid technical and stylistic variety is further supplemented by local architectural practices, which come to be blended with the more widespread Dravida and Nagara idioms. Apart from all this, these Early Chalukyan temples are remarkable for the sheer beauty of their figural and decorative carvings.00For the first time, perhaps, this book offers a comprehensive study of the Early Chalukya temples from the Central Karnataka region. With prefatory chapters on their historical backdrop, architectural nuances and sculptural art, George Michell meticulously examines both the rock-cut and free-standing temples of Badami, Mahakuta, Aihole, and Pattadakal – together with over a hundred of his measured drawings which, taken from his Ph.D dissertation, present an exhaustive graphic documentation, never attempted before. In addition, the book includes about 200 at-once-engaging photographs, taken by Surendra Kumar – a specialist in panoramic topographic views.00Dr George Michell is a widely reputed architect, who, in collaboration with John M. Fritz, has successfully completed numerous documentation and research projects at Hampi, Vijayanagara.

This is a complete guide book to monuments at Aihole, a site with the rich architecture of the early western Chalukyas. Aihole "The Cradle of Indian Architecture" once known as Aryapura is considered to be the first settlement of the Chalukyas. The present Aihole is popular for remains of Early Western Chalukyas. This village is rich with monuments of varied Architecture and is scattered all over the village. The major attraction here are the temples in the "Central Site of Monuments" an enclosure housing remains of earliest temples. There are also other temples and caves found around the central site.

The town of Badami, the nearby villages of Aihole and Pattadakal, and the pilgrimage site of Mahakuta, in the Malprabha valley of central Karnataka, are celebrated for their magnificent rock-cut shrines and structural temples. These Hindu and Jain monuments are associated with the Early Chalukyas who reigned over this part of the Deccan during the 6th-8th centuries. Together with a profusion of magnificent sculptures, mostly found in situ, these shrines and temples may be considered among the earliest, best preserved vestiges of temple art in India. This guidebook, the first ever for the Badami region, is authored by a scholar whose PhD was on Early Chalukya architecture. The text is illustrated with regional and town maps, building plans, and more than 130 splendid color photographs.

Study of architecture.