From the fifth through the ninth century, the Chalukya dynasty ruled India. As can be seen in Aihole, Badami, and Pattadakal, as well as during the Pallava dynasty at Mamallapuram and other sites, a variety of Hindu temple styles continued to emerge during this time. The Cholas thereafter became the preeminent dynasty between the years 850 and 1280. Less focus was placed on architecture during the early Chola period and more was placed on maintaining their geopolitical borders. The Chola empire began to take shape in the eleventh century, with elements like multiple columns and square capitals that protruded. George Michell claimed that this was a sign that the new Chola style had begun. his South Indian style is most fully realized both in scale and detail in the Brihadeshwara temple built between 1003 and 1010 by the Chola king Rajaraja I.
