2016 · Q55
Which one of the following is the common element between the Kailasanatha Temple at Ellora and the Shore Temple at Mamallapuram?
General KnowledgeHistory of India
- ABoth are examples of Nagara architecture
- BBoth are carved out from solid rocks
- CBoth are Gupta period temples
- DBoth were built under the patronage of Pallava Kings
Explanation
The official key identifies the common element as the rock-cut (monolithic) technique, option (B): the Kailasanatha temple at Ellora is entirely excavated out of the living rock, and Mamallapuram is the great Pallava centre of monolithic rock-cut architecture (the rathas are each carved from a single rock). The distractors fail plainly: neither is Nagara architecture (both are Dravida), neither is Gupta-period, and Kailasa was built under Rashtrakuta (Krishna I) patronage, not Pallava. (Note: the Shore Temple itself is structural, but the keyed common element is the rock-carved tradition.)