(Photos) Plate 7. Plans and elevations of columns in temple of Nilkanth

Plate 7. Plans and elevations of columns in temple of Nilkanth

Pen and ink drawing by Frederick Charles Maisey, of the plans and elevations of columns in the temple of Nilkanth at Kalinjar, taken from an album of 60 drawings, dated 1847-1854.Situated atop an almost impregnable 1000-foot-high hill, with cliffs on all sides, Kalinjar was an ancient Chandella stronghold from the 9th to the 15th centuries; it was later conquered by Akbar in 1569 and fell to Colonel Martindell in 1812. Within the fort there are numerous archaeological remains. From a gateway in the preserved inner curtain wall two flights of steps lead down to Kalinjar's holiest shrine, the Nilakanth Temple, dedicated to Shiva. There are numerous inscriptions and rock carvings on the way down to the shrine and masterpieces of Chandella sculpture.

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Courtesy: Europeana.eu