---
title: Aihole
author: Mark Cartwright
source: https://www.worldhistory.org/Aihole/
format: machine-readable-alternate
license: Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-sa/4.0/)
updated: 2023-06-05
---
# Aihole
_Authored by [Mark Cartwright](https://www.worldhistory.org/user/markzcartwright/)_
Aihole (Ayyavole) was an ancient walled [city](https://www.worldhistory.org/city/) in Karnataka, central [India](https://www.worldhistory.org/india/). Aihole was the first regional capital of the Karnakata region under the rule of the Chalukyas. The large number of early [Hindu](https://www.worldhistory.org/hinduism/) temples and shrines at the site mostly date from the 6th to 8th century CE when the city was at its zenith of prosperity and power.
### Historical Overview
Aihole prospered from the mid-6th century CE under the regional rule of the Early Western Chalukyas, one of the most important Deccan dynasties in the late [Gupta](https://www.worldhistory.org/disambiguation/gupta/) period. Notable rulers were Pulakeshin I (c. 535-566 CE) and Pulakeshin II (r. 609-642 CE) who were powerful enough to entertain diplomatic relations with distant [Persia](https://www.worldhistory.org/Persia/). Another significant ruler and bringer of prosperity to the region was Vikramaditya I (r. 655-681 CE) who regained control of the Chalukya capital Badami following its loss to regional rival, the Pallava king. Aihole was an important regional capital (one of four) and the fortification walls and gateways which surround the site are unique survivors from the 6th century CE in ancient India. The Chalukya dynasty fell to the Rashtrakutas in the mid-7th century CE.
### Architecture & Monuments
There is a mix of architectural styles at the site and, due to the lack of later rebuilding, Aihole provides a valuable record of Indian temple architecture before it fully evolved into a canonical style. Most temples at Aihole are Hindu, but there are some early [Buddhist](https://www.worldhistory.org/buddhism/) caves and Jain monuments. There are a number of rock-cut caves at Aihole which are embellished with architectural [sculpture](https://www.worldhistory.org/disambiguation/Sculpture/) cut into the sandstone. The Ravula Phadi cave has a ten-armed [Shiva](https://www.worldhistory.org/shiva/) dancing along with the Saptamatrikas, Durga attacking Mahisha with a spear, and Bhudevi being rescued by Varaha. The Ravanaphadi cave is notable for its life-size high relief sculpture of four dancing Matrkas and a *Shiva Gangadhara*, c. 600 CE, which shows the great [god](https://www.worldhistory.org/God/) gently lowering [Ganga](https://www.worldhistory.org/Ganges/) - a personification of the River [Ganges](https://www.worldhistory.org/Ganges/) - to earth using his hair. Jain architecture at the site includes the Meguti temple, perched atop an [acropolis](https://www.worldhistory.org/Acropolis/), which was first built in 634 CE.
Many of the Hindu temples display typical characteristics of northern Indian architecture - the *sikharas* (a four-sided superstructure or tower formed using many decorative layers of stonework), the *nasika* or *sukanas* (projecting facade medallions), a *gavaksa* (double-curved arch), and an *amalaka* (a large ribbed circular stone on top of the *sikhara*). The temples have stone slab roofing, many have stone lattice windows, and most have an entrance hall and porch accessed via a short flight of steps, the latter being a typical feature of Early Western Chalukya architecture.
[  Durga Temple, Aihole Jean-Pierre Dalbera (CC BY) ](https://www.worldhistory.org/image/3966/durga-temple-aihole/ "Durga Temple, Aihole")A good example incorporating all of these features is the 8th-century CE temple of Durga, commissioned by Komarasengama, a private citizen. This structure is also unusual as it has columns running around the building to form a peristyle. The *garbhagriha* (sacred sanctuary or shrine) end of the building forms an unusual semicircular curve. The sculpted panels such as those depicting Durga in her [battle](https://www.worldhistory.org/disambiguation/battle/) with the buffalo demon and Shiva alongside [Nandi](https://www.worldhistory.org/Nandi/) are amongst the finest examples of all ancient Indian sculpture.
[  Shiva with Nandi, Aihole Jean-Pierre Dalbera (CC BY) ](https://www.worldhistory.org/image/3967/shiva-with-nandi-aihole/ "Shiva with Nandi, Aihole")The temples carry rich architectural sculpture on pillars and ceilings, especially depictions of such major gods as [Vishnu](https://www.worldhistory.org/Vishnu/), Shiva, and [Brahma](https://www.worldhistory.org/Brahma/). The temple porches also have finely carved ceiling slabs showing *nagas* coiled in spirals. In contrast, the exterior walls are generally austere and carry neither the sculpture nor niches so common to southern and later Indian temples. Besides the larger temples, Aihole also has a great number of smaller shrines, many of which have domes.
#### Editorial Review
This human-authored definition has been reviewed by our editorial team before publication to ensure accuracy, reliability and adherence to academic standards in accordance with our [editorial policy](https://www.worldhistory.org/static/editorial-policy/).
## Bibliography
- [Craven, R.C. *Indian Art.* Thames & Hudson, 1997.](https://www.worldhistory.org/books/0500203024/)
- [Harle, J.C. *The Art and Architecture of the Indian Subcontinent, Second Edition.* Yale University Press, 1994.](https://www.worldhistory.org/books/0300062176/)
- [Michell, G. *Hindu Art and Architecture.* Thames & Hudson, 2000.](https://www.worldhistory.org/books/0500203377/)
- [Mitter, P. *Indian Art.* Oxford University Press, 2001.](https://www.worldhistory.org/books/0192842218/)
## About the Author
Mark is WHE’s Publishing Director and has an MA in Political Philosophy (University of York). He is a full-time researcher, writer, historian and editor. Special interests include art, architecture and discovering the ideas that all civilizations share.
## Timeline
- **c. 500 CE - c. 800 CE**: Much of the [temple](https://www.worldhistory.org/temple/) [architecture](https://www.worldhistory.org/disambiguation/architecture/) at [Aihole](https://www.worldhistory.org/Aihole/) is built.
- **c. 535 CE - 566 CE**: Reign of Chalukya ruler Pulakesin I.
- **610 CE - 642 CE**: Reign of Chalukya ruler Pulakesin II.
- **c. 634 CE**: The Jain Meguti [temple](https://www.worldhistory.org/temple/) is first built at [Aihole](https://www.worldhistory.org/Aihole/).
- **655 CE - 681 CE**: Reign of Chalukya ruler Vikramaditya I.
- **c. 675 CE - c. 725 CE**: The Gaudaragudi [Temple](https://www.worldhistory.org/temple/) is built at [Aihole](https://www.worldhistory.org/Aihole/) and dedicated to Durga.
- **c. 700 CE - c. 725 CE**: The Durga [Temple](https://www.worldhistory.org/temple/) is built at [Aihole](https://www.worldhistory.org/Aihole/).
## Cite This Work
### APA
Cartwright, M. (2015, July 03). Aihole. *World History Encyclopedia*.
### Chicago
Cartwright, Mark. "Aihole." *World History Encyclopedia*, July 03, 2015. .
### MLA
Cartwright, Mark. "Aihole." *World History Encyclopedia*, 03 Jul 2015, .
## License & Copyright
Submitted by [Mark Cartwright](https://www.worldhistory.org/user/markzcartwright/ "User Page: Mark Cartwright"), published on 03 July 2015. The copyright holder has published this content under the following license: [Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-sa/4.0/deed.en). This license lets others remix, tweak, and build upon this content non-commercially, as long as they credit the author and license their new creations under the identical terms. When republishing on the web a hyperlink back to the original content source URL must be included. Please note that content linked from this page may have different licensing terms.