It is generally
believed that Khajuraho escaped vandalising and marauding Islamic invaders due
to various reasons. The Chandela Rajputs were fierce warriors and during their
heyday they were invincible. And by the time in the 13th century when their
decline had set in, they wisely negotiated with those who laid a siege and paid
off some ransom to ensure their retreat. These beautiful temples fell into
obscurity and remained in a state of incognito close to four
centuries before their chance 'rediscovery' by a British soldier in 1838. They
say only a few people in close by villages knew about these magnificent
structures but guarded the secret for obvious reasons. Naturally, you can't
hide forever a giant towering more than thirty metres like the Kandariya
Mahadeo temple.
Though there are
no major signs of destruction like the one visible at Hampi (the erstwhile
kingdom of Vijayanagra, 16th century) yet vandalism on a low scale can be seen
on the walls of nearly all the temples. Some of the statues have been
disfigured and a few completely damaged.
Apart from broken
figures there are some panels from which the statues are missing (empty spaces in the picture above). They appear
to have been taken away. May be these precious pieces of stone art were stolen
and smuggled out of the country. Civilised vandalism,
perhaps.
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