Later Chola Temples
by S. R. Balasubrahmanyam | 1979 | 143,852 words
This volume of Chola Temples covers Kulottunga I to Rajendra III in the timeframe A.D. 1070-1280. The Cholas of Southern India left a remarkable stamp in the history of Indian architecture and sculpture. Besides that, the Chola dynasty was a successful ruling dynasty even conquering overseas regions....
Appendix 3: Some views on the date of the Darasuram temple
ARE Report for 1908 (pp. 65-66): ‘It is not impossible that the Airavatesvara temple was either renovated or built by the Chola king Kulottunga III’.
ARE Report for 1920 (para 22, p. 102): ‘(It was) definitely built by Kulottunga III’,
Vincent A. Smith, History of Fine Art in India and Ceylon (pp. 225-226):‘The architecture and sculpture of the temple of Darasuram in Tanjavur district closely resemble those of the temple at Gangaikonda Cholapuram and must be of approximately the same age’.
These views are based on insufficient evidence at the time for fixing the age or are mere surmises based on superficial similarities with others of the fabric and its decorative elements.