This dissertation identifies and describes in detail the Kalinga style of architecture, one of the five major styles mentioned in sastras and inscriptions, and suggests what cultural function temples fulfilled in medieval Kalinga. Chapter I surveys the history of Orissa to estab- lish the principalities which existed during the medieval period, from the seventh to tenth centuries. Emphasis is placed on Kalinga, one of those principalities which has until now been incorrectly equated with the geographical area of all Orissa, In fact, Kalinga had varying borders from the fourth century B.C. until the seventh century but from then on, it was limited mainly to very southern Orissa and northern (')Andhra Pradesh. The parameters of the kingdom are established by the find-spots of grants of kings who called themselves "king of Kalinga".

The role temples performed in the establishment of Sanskrit culture in Kalinga, which was undoubtedly mostly a tribal area, is discussed in Chapter II. There is no inscriptional evidence of royal foundation of any temple. Analysis of copper-plate grant information from the late fourth to late tenth centuries in Kalinga indicates that temples were the product of a complex process by which kings gave land and guaranteed resources from land to brahmins who were charged with developing agriculture and establishing Sanskrit culture in less settled areas. Temples were built in these peripheral areas as symbols of Sanskrit culture and served as educational institutions to diffuse that culture. Reciprocal impact from tribal culture resulted in distinctive cultural characteristics.

The correlation which exists between proportions of temple parts stated in sastras and actual extant temples is discussed in Chapter III. Four seventh century temples remain in Kalinga and are discussed in Chapter IV. The temples are the product of a local architectural tradition characterized by curvilinear towers comprised of narrow, plain horizontal courses. Three temples had rectangular, pillared hills. Additionally characteristic is the lack of main images on the temples which may reflect enshrinement of tribal deities which have not yet been fully Hinduized. However, the presence of deities on the hall of one temple may indicate an increasingly Sanskritized culture. (Abstract shortened with permission of author.).