Architecture and Religion - Were the palaces really existed?
  • Dear Venkatesh,

    Thanks and I do agree with that.

    My point is that while we could save that for so long, we have not
    recognised the architectural talent in such structures.

    I do remember we had thread on temple architecture in which Rahul
    contributed most.

    My concern is that we do not attach values beyond religion to these
    marvels.

    This leads to a question haunting my mind. I was told by one of my
    friend that in earlier days Kings were not interested in building
    massive palaces. They lived humbly. Instead they concentrated on
    Temples. Hence we could not see any old palaces. But we have old
    temples in tact.

    Is this could be true?.
  • I was told by one of my
    > friend that in earlier days Kings were not interested in building
    > massive palaces. They lived humbly. Instead they concentrated on
    > Temples. Hence we could not see any old palaces. But we have old
    > temples in tact.
    >
    > Is this could be true?.
    >

    I guess they took pleasure in knocking off and burning each others
    palaces. there is a pandya kalvettu too.

    venketesh
  • ---
    > >
    >
    > I guess they took pleasure in knocking off and burning each others
    > palaces. there is a pandya kalvettu too.
    >
    > venketesh
    >

    yep, we have heard of the portugese using the famous sculptures of
    elphanta for target practise so too had napolean when he ordered his
    cannon to fire at the spinx - the taliban destroying the buddhas of
    bamyan - guess the trend continues
  • The cankam poetry "nedunaLvaadai" gives an exquisite
    description of the Pandian palace. The Pandian palace
    is none less.
    Kanagasabhai in his book on "Tamils 1800 years ago"
    mentions to have seen a ruined palace / city along the
    Vaigai river which was probably the old Madurai during
    cankam times.
  • > Kanagasabhai in his book on "Tamils 1800 years ago"
    > mentions to have seen a ruined palace / city along the
    > Vaigai river which was probably the old Madurai during
    > cankam times.


    when was this book written?

    venketesh


    >
    >
  • Hi Sps

    which do you think is the oldest surviving structure in hindu
    religion in tamilnadu( without later changes)
    i think it must be the pallava cave temples/ kailasanathar temple etc.
    the jain structures must be older.
    if by debate we can identify the oldest surviving structure it would
    be great.
  • Hello All

    A quick question with connection to this...

    What is the first documented use of horses in early Cholas or as a
    matter of fact any king. Any sangam age architecture that shows usage
    of horses ? I guess some of the elite here can help.

    Sorry for the hibernation, I am in india and have been visiting
    temples of south. Will write a bit more on them later.
  • Hi
    manickavasagar period shiva supposedly came as a horse trader

    arab horses were imported in specific ports all along tamilnadu.

    general horse usage in india is ancient. remember the ashwamedha yaga?
    venketesh
  • Good question and Venkatesh good thought process.

    Literary evidence, I think we have a lot. I think in Mahabaratha,
    there are lot of reference to horses and even in Ramayana there is.
    Atleast in Uttra ramayana where Lav and Kush captures Rama's horse
    during the Ashwamedha yagam.

    But physical evidence, I am no expert.

    Manickavasagars timeline is still a mystery. Any relationship with
    Arabs should be less than or equal to 1500 years old.

    Do we have any mention in sanga ilakkiya? Silambu - any mention of
    how Kannagi and Kovalan travelled?
  • Here is an interesting note:
    http://www.harappa.com/script/maha3.html

    I am trying to dig into the history of southern kings as to how they
    withstood Ashoka or Mugals.

    Ashwamedha is a whole different discussion, that may lead to a
    different location of where many many events took place...which may
    rise some controversies... I would prefer not to start it :-)

    Most of what I read is that southern / dravidian kings used Kalat
    padai / yaanai padai or marakkala padai.

    Kovalan used Palenquin's when he was a wealthy business man and when
    he was back to Kannagi after exhaustion... he had been travelling by
    foot.

    Horse trade from Arabs were definitely there during the time of
    Sundarar etc
    Most of these animals seem to be from Persia and central asia.
    If the Harappans did not have horses and Mahabharata happened before
    Harappa - where exactly did it happen and Aja holding the horse of
    victory - where was that from?

    Some confusing lines in history when mythology gets mixed into it.

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