The correct option is (a) 1 only.
Explanation
The Durga temple at Aihole (Karnataka) is a celebrated example of early Chalukyan architecture. It is renowned for its unique apsidal plan, which resembles a Buddhist Chaitya, but it is a Hindu temple dedicated to Vishnu (or possibly Surya/Shiva originally).Statement 1: Correct
The temple was built approximately 1400 years ago (around the late 7th or early 8th century CE). This period corresponds to the reign of the Early Chalukyas of Badami, who were contemporaries of the Pallavas in the south and Harshavardhana in the north.
Statement 2: Incorrect
The Durga temple is a structural temple, meaning it was constructed by assembling dressed stone blocks on top of one another. It is not a monolithic temple. Monolithic temples, such as the Rathas at Mahabalipuram, are carved out of a single huge rock or boulder. The distinction between structural construction (Aihole) and monolithic carving (Mahabalipuram) is a key feature of temple architecture evolution in this era.
Key Takeaway: Aihole is often called the "Cradle of Indian Temple Architecture" and is known for its structural temples, whereas the Pallavas at Mahabalipuram are famous for their monolithic rock-cut shrines.