Rajput architecture

Chandramahal in City Palace, Jaipur, built by Jai Singh II.
Jal Mahal, Jaipur.
City Palace, Udaipur.
Chittor Fort

Rajput architecture is an architectural style associated with the forts and palaces of the many Rajput rulers. Many of the Rajput forts are UNESCO World Heritage Sites and popular tourist attractions.

Rajput architecture represents different types of buildings, which may broadly be classed either as religious or military. These include temples, forts, stepwells, gardens, and palaces. The forts were specially built for defense and military purposes.[1] The Mughal and European architecture influenced indigenous Rajput styles of art and architecture.[1][2]

Rajput architecture continued well into the 20th and 21st centuries, as the rulers of the princely states of British India commissioned vast palaces and other buildings, such as the Albert Hall Museum, Lalgarh Palace, and Umaid Bhawan Palace. These usually incorporated European styles as well, a practice which eventually led to the Indo-Saracenic style.[3]

The Hill Forts of Rajasthan (Amer, Chittor, Gagron, Jaisalmer, Kumbhalgarh, Ranthambore), a group of six forts built by various Rajput kingdoms and principalities during the medieval period, are among the best examples of Rajput architecture. The ensemble is also a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Other forts include the Mehrangarh Fort and Jaigarh Fort.

Rajasthan

See also: Architecture of Rajasthan

Forts, Palaces and Temples

See also: List of palaces in Rajasthan
Zorawar Singh Gate of City wall of Jaipur
Entrance eastern façade of the Junagarh Fort, Bikaner

The Hill Forts of Rajasthan (Amer, Chittor, Gagron, Jaisalmer, Kumbhalgarh, Ranthambore), a group of six forts built by various Rajput kingdoms and principalities during the medieval period are among the best examples of Rajput Architecture. The ensemble is also a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Other forts include the Mehrangarh Fort and Jaigarh Fort.

The walled city of Jaipur was formed in 1727 by Kacchwaha Rajput ruler Jai Singh II, and is "a unique example of traditional Hindu town planning",[3] following the precepts set out in much Hindu texts.  Subsequently, the City Palace, Hawa Mahal, Rambagh Palace, Jal Mahal and Albert Hall Museum were also built. Udaipur also has several palaces, including the Bagore-ki-Haveli, now a museum, built by an 18th-century chief minister.

The rulers of the princely states of Rajputana continued the tradition of building elaborate palaces almost until independence, with examples such as the Lalgarh Palace in Bikaner, Monsoon Palace in Udaipur, and Umaid Bhawan Palace in Jodhpur.  Many of these are in versions of Indo-Saracenic architecture, often using European architects.[3]

Cenotaphs

Some of the Ahar Cenotaphs outside Udaipur

A number of the Rajput dynasties built groups of cenotaph memorials for their members, mostly using the chatri form, and often at the traditional site for cremations. These include the Ahar Cenotaphs outside Udaipur, and Bada Bagh near Jaisalmer. Individual examples include the Jaswant Thada at Jodphur, and Chaurasi Khambon ki Chhatri, Bundi; there are many others.

Gujarat

Rani ki vav, Patan, Gujarat, 11th century

Māru-Gurjara architecture, or Solaṅkī style, is a distinctive style that began in Rajputana and neighbouring Gujarat around the 11th century by the Solanki Rajputs. Examples of Solanki Rajput architecture include Taranga Jain temple, Rudra Mahalaya Temple, and Modhera Sun Temple. The Dilwara Jain Temples of Mount Abu built between the 11th and 13th centuries CE, The Rani ki vav was also built during this period.[4][3]

The small but richly carved Hindu Ambika Mata temple in Jagat, built before 960, and The five Kiradu temples, of the 11th or 12th century, are examples of the Pratihar Rajput style.[5] The Jagdish Temple, Udaipur (completed 1651), is an example of a Hindu temple using the Māru-Gurjara style at a late date; in this case a commission of Jagat Singh I, ruler of Mewar.[6][3] On the exteriors, this style is distinguished from other north Indian temple styles of the period

that the external walls of the temples have been structured by increasing numbers of projections and recesses, accommodating sharply carved statues in niches. These are normally positioned in superimposed registers, above the lower bands of moldings. The latter display continuous lines of horse riders, elephants, and kīrttimukhas. Hardly any segment of the surface is left unadorned.

The main shikhara tower usually has many urushringa subsidiary spirelets on it, and two smaller side-entrances with porches are common in larger temples.[7]

Madhya Pradesh

Teli ka Mandir was built inside the Gwalior Fort by the Pratihara Rajput ruler Mihira Bhoja.[8][9]
Khajuraho Group of Monuments were built by Chandela Rajputs[10]
Gwalior Fort
Jahangir Mahal was built by Vir Singh Deo as a symbol of welcome to the Mughal emperor Jahangir.
Sailana Palace, built by the Rathores of Malwa.[11]

The Khajuraho Group of Monuments were built by the Chandela Rajput rulers from 885 AD to 1050 AD.[10]

The Gwalior Fort is a hill fort near Gwalior. The fort has existed at least since the 10th century, and the inscriptions and monuments found within what is now the fort campus indicate that it may have existed as early as the beginning of the 6th century. The fort is considered among the finest of Rajput architecture.[12] Most part of the present day fort was built by Man Singh Tomar, the Rajput king who ruled the region from 1486 to 1516.[13]

The Orchha state was founded in 1531 (the 16th century AD)[14] by the Bundela Rajput chief, Rudra Pratap Singh,[15] who became the first King of Orchha, (r. 1501-1531) and also built the Fort of Orchha.[16] The Chaturbhuj Temple was built during the reign of Mughal emperor Akbar, by the queen of Orchha, Ganesh Kunwar,[17] while Raj Mandir was built by 'Raja Madhukar Shah' during his reign, 1554 to 1591.[18][19] The Jahangir Mahal was built in 17th century by Vir Singh Deo as a symbol of welcome to the Mughal emperor Jahangir.

The Singorgarh fort was built by Raja Belo from the Chandela dynasty of Mahoba.[20]

Uttar Pradesh

Rani Mahal, Kalinjar Fort
Govind Dev Temple, Vrindavan
Radha Rani Temple, Barsana

Many Rajput dynasties ruled over Uttar Pradesh in the medieval era. Many forts, palaces and temples were built by the Rajputs. The Kalinjar Fort was built by the Chandela Rajput dynasty in the 10th century.[21] Built on a rocky hill, the fort was also used by the Solankis of Rewa.[21] The Jaichandra fort was built by the Rathore Rajputs of Kannauj.

The Jhansi Fort is attributed to the Bundela Rajput ruler Raja Bir Singh Ju Deo.[22][23] The Sun temple and forts of Charkhari and Mangal Garh in the Mahoba district were built by the Chandela rulers of Bundelkhand.[24][25]

Himachal Pradesh

Side view of Arki Palace built inside the Arki Fort

The Kangra Fort was built by the ruling Katoch Rajput dynasty.[26] The Arki Fort was built between 1695 - 1700 by Rana Prithvi Singh. The Kutlehar Fort was built by Sansar Chandra, the Rajput ruler of Kangra.[27]

Pakistan

Islamgarh Fort
Derawar Fort in Cholistan, an example of Rajput architecture

The forts of Derawar and Amarkot were built by Hindu Rajput rulers during the medieval era, and are examples of early Rajput architecture.

References

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  2. ^ Ghurye, G.S (2005). Rajput architecture. Popular Prakashan Pvt. Limited. p. 44. ISBN 9788171544462.
  3. ^ a b c d e Michell, George (1990), The Penguin Guide to the Monuments of India, Volume 1: Buddhist, Jain, Hindu, 1990, Penguin Books, pg -288-301 ISBN 0140081445
  4. ^ Rahman, Azera Parveen (16 March 2019). "Make them well again: trying to save Gujarat's ancient stepwells". The Hindu. ISSN 0971-751X. Archived from the original on 5 June 2021. Retrieved 5 June 2021.
  5. ^ Michell, 295-96
  6. ^ Michell, George (1990), The Penguin Guide to the Monuments of India, Volume 1: Buddhist, Jain, Hindu, 1990, Penguin Books, pg -311 ISBN 0140081445
  7. ^ Hegewald, Julia A. B. (2011). "The International Jaina Style? Māru-Gurjara Temples Under the Solaṅkīs, throughout India and in the Diaspora". Ars Orientalis. 45 (20191029). doi:10.3998/ars.13441566.0045.005. ISSN 2328-1286.
  8. ^ "A History of India from the Earliest Times to the Present Day - Page 85". Archived from the original on 18 July 2021. Retrieved 6 June 2021.
  9. ^ K. D. Bajpai (2006). History of Gopāchala. Bharatiya Jnanpith. p. 31. ISBN 978-81-263-1155-2.
  10. ^ a b Explore India: The Official Newsletter of the Ministry of Tourism Archived 18 July 2021 at the Wayback Machine Quote: "The temples of Khajuraho are India's unique gift to the world, representing paean to life, love and joy; perfect in execution ... in stone, testifying to the craftsman's artistry and the pote extraordinary breadth of vision of the Chandela Rajputs."
  11. ^ Art, Archaeology, and History of Ratlam, Madan Mohan Upadhyaya Sharada Prakashan, 1992.
  12. ^ Sen, Sailendra Nath (2007). Textbook of Indian history and culture. Macmillan India Limited. ISBN 9781403932006. Archived from the original on 14 March 2023. Retrieved 14 March 2023.
  13. ^ Eraly, Abraham (14 October 2000). Last Spring: The Lives and Times of the Great Mughals. Penguin UK. ISBN 9789351181286. Archived from the original on 14 March 2023. Retrieved 14 March 2023.
  14. ^ Orchha Archived 18 July 2019 at the Wayback Machine Tikamgarh district Official website.
  15. ^ Sen, Sailendra (2013). A Textbook of Medieval Indian History. Primus Books. p. 187. ISBN 978-9-38060-734-4.
  16. ^ Mausoleum of Raja Rudra Pratap Archived 18 July 2021 at the Wayback Machine, British Library.
  17. ^ Orchha Archived 7 February 2009 at the Wayback Machine British Library.
  18. ^ "UQconnect, The University of Queensland". Archived from the original on 21 January 2004. Retrieved 23 July 2016.
  19. ^ Raj Mandir Archived 12 January 2012 at the Wayback Machine British Library.
  20. ^ Gbooks Archived 14 March 2023 at the Wayback Machine Quote: "According to Sir William Sleeman, the fort of Singorgarh was built by Rájá Belo, one of the Chandel Rájás of Mahoba."
  21. ^ a b Kalinjar Fort Google Books. Hachette India. 5 May 2018. ISBN 9789351952404. Archived from the original on 14 March 2023. Retrieved 14 March 2023.
  22. ^ "Jhansi Fort - Govt of Uttar Pradesh". Archived from the original on 13 June 2021. Retrieved 14 March 2023.
  23. ^ Valluri, Ravi (30 June 2020). Indian Stories: Images and Thoughts. BecomeShakespeare.com. ISBN 9789390040346. Archived from the original on 14 March 2023. Retrieved 14 March 2023.
  24. ^ "चरखारी : बुन्देलखण्ड का काश्मीर". Archived from the original on 18 July 2021. Retrieved 14 March 2023.
  25. ^ "On World Heritage Day, Mahoba's Sun Temple in shadow of ignorance The Times of India 18 April 2018". The Times of India. 18 April 2018. Archived from the original on 28 March 2019. Retrieved 14 March 2023.
  26. ^ Kanda, Ravi Kumar; Mahajan, Varun. A Study of Ancient Monuments & Historic Heritage Sites of Himachal Pradesh. Rudra Publications. ISBN 9789390835003. Archived from the original on 29 April 2023. Retrieved 16 March 2023.
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