The book is dedicated to the life and work of Queen Shantala, a kind, compassionate woman who was a visionary in her own right. The book begins in the year 1108 CE when King Ballala, burning with high fever, is lying on his deathbed in Dorasamudra, the glorious capital of the Hoysala kingdom (in present-day Karnataka).Īs he bids his final farewell to his family, he reminisces about the glories of the past and frowns upon their current status, reduced to a much lesser condition by their enemies – the Chalukyas.Īs the King continues to wage war, the Queen decides to leave a permanent mark on history by undertaking the construction of several magnificent temple projects, the likes of which would never again be seen in India or for that matter, anywhere in the world. Its carvings are exquisitely detailed and observant, and its temples are living poetry in stone. 818 in the Amar Chitra Katha series is a book dedicated to the beautiful and peace-loving queen of the Hoysala kingdom – Queen Shantala.įor the uninitiated, Hoysala architecture is one of the best temple architecture you will ever see in India. To replicate it will be no easy job.” – Professor Adam Hardy “The Hoysala style is known for architectural planning, detailed iconography, beautifully carved pillars and use of soapstone instead of sandstone.
