there is evidence that sutradhars were performing other tasks besides carpentry in ancient times. a stanza from chandimangal notes them puffing and frying rice, as well as painting. agricultural tasks were historically done by castes of austric origins, so the stanza may refer to a period of transition as the sutradhar caste was forming and still performing other tasks. they were also engaged in making monuments, temples, palaces, chariots and sculpting rock structures. they are believed to have built the konark sun temple, jagannath temples, and the terracotta temples of bengal.