Question

What are the important architectural features of the temples of Bengal?

Answer 1

Hint: The historical period in Bengal can be divided into three parts: the early Hindu period, the Sultanate period and the Hindu revival period. The Muslim entry into Bengal was very unexceptional. The urbanisation of Bengal started after the decline of the Indus Valley civilization.

Complete answer:
> Bengal had trade contacts with Persia. The examples of urban sites included Chandraketugrah. Mainamati and Mahasthangarh. The evidence of ‘stupas’ has been discovered from the archaeological remains of early Bengal. The villages in Bengal had the paddy roofed thatched which is traditionally known as ‘Chala’.
The architectural features of the temples of Bengal were:
1. The elaborate decoration that covered the wall was a striking feature usually called the terracotta temples.
2. The Bengal temples copied the double roofed structure architecture from the thatched huts.
3.The temples were built of square platforms.
4.The ornamentation of the temples consisted of burnt brick panels, with figures of geometric patterns or large sculptural compositions.
> Temples were inspired by these and several constructions took place in undivided Bengal. Wood and bamboo were used for building in the early times. Stone is not much available in Bengal since it is the site of alluvial soil. Stone, wood, black salt, granite were used for making the bricks which were used for the construction of the architectural parts. Lime and mortar came later which was used for plastering. The historical records of Fa-Hien and Huan Tsang state the use of stone and brick for the construction of temples in Bengal. The types of temples in Bengal were: the Bhadra type which had horizontal tiers which gradually diminished and consists of the amalaka sila, the Rekha type which is smooth or ridged curvilinear. The ‘do Chala’ were huts with two sloping roofs.

Note: The temples of Siam, Cambodia and Nepal were inspired by the architecture of Bengal. In the 17th and 18th century there were several patrons of temples. As a result, there were many temples constructed in Bankura, Nadia, Birbhum, Bradhaman and other districts of Bengal.