Rajput architecture

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Chandramahal in City Palace, Jaipur, built by Jai Singh II. Pritam niwas with.jpg
Chandramahal in City Palace, Jaipur, built by Jai Singh II.
Jal Mahal, Jaipur. Jal Mahal.jpg
Jal Mahal, Jaipur.
City Palace, Udaipur. Udaipur City Palace.jpg
City Palace, Udaipur.
Chittor Fort Chittorgarh fort.JPG
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.

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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

Forts, Palaces and Temples

Zorawar Singh Gate of City wall of Jaipur Jaipur 03-2016 13 Jorawar Singh Gate.jpg
Zorawar Singh Gate of City wall of Jaipur
Entrance eastern facade of the Junagarh Fort, Bikaner Junagarth Fort, Bikaner.jpg
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 Ahar Cenotaphs.JPG
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 Rani ki vav1.jpg
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. Teli ka mandir fort Gwalior - panoramio - Gyanendrasinghchauha... (1).jpg
Teli ka Mandir was built inside the Gwalior Fort by the Pratihara Rajput ruler Mihira Bhoja.
Khajuraho Group of Monuments were built by Chandela Rajputs Khajuraho.KandariyaMahadeva.jpg
Khajuraho Group of Monuments were built by Chandela Rajputs
Gwalior Fort Gwalior Fort Palace.JPG
Gwalior Fort
Jahangir Mahal was built by Vir Singh Deo as a symbol of welcome to the Mughal emperor Jahangir. OrchhaPalace.jpg
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. Sailana Palace.jpg
Sailana Palace, built by the Rathores of Malwa.

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 Panoramic view of Rani Mahal Kalinjar fort.jpg
Rani Mahal, Kalinjar Fort
Govind Dev Temple, Vrindavan Temple GovindaDev.JPG
Govind Dev Temple, Vrindavan
Radha Rani Temple, Barsana Chhatris of Barsana 02.jpg
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 A side view of part of Palace of Arki princely state, now residence of its heirs, Himachal Prades, India.jpg
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

Derawar Fort in Cholistan, an example of Rajput architecture Derawar Fort, Bahawalpur I.jpg
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.

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Orchha</span> Town in Madhya Pradesh, India

Orchha is a town, near the city of Niwari in the Niwari district of Madhya Pradesh state, India. The town was established by a Bundela rajput ruler Rudra Pratap Singh some time after 1501, as the seat of an eponymous former princely state of covering parts of central & north India, in the Bundelkhand region. Orchha lies on the Betwa River, 80 km from Tikamgarh & 15 km from Jhansi in Uttar Pradesh.

Mahoba is a city in Mahoba District of the Indian state of Uttar Pradesh in the Bundelkhand region, well known for the ninth century granite Sun temple built in Pratihara style. It is also well known for the 24 rock-cut Jain tirthankara image on Gokhar hill. Mahoba is known for its closeness to Khajuraho, Lavkushnagar and other historic places like Kulpahar, Charkhari, Kalinjar, Orchha, and Jhansi. The town is connected with railways and state highways.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Chandelas of Jejakabhukti</span> Early medieval Hindu dynasty of India

The Chandelas of Jejakabhukti was an Indian dynasty in Central India. The Chandelas ruled much of the Bundelkhand region between the 9th and the 13th centuries. They belonged to the Chandel clan of the Rajputs.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Kumbhalgarh</span> Fort at Rajsamand District of Rajasthan

Kumbhalgarh, also known as the Great Wall of India, is a fortress on the westerly range of Aravalli Hills in the Rajsamand district of the Rajasthan state in India. Situated approximately 84 km (52 mi) from Udaipur, it was built during the 15th century by Rana Kumbha. The wall of Kumbhalgarh is one of the longest continuous walls in the world, spanning 38 kilometers. It is also the birthplace of great king and military leader Maharana Pratap of Mewar.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Tikamgarh</span> City in Madhya Pradesh, India

Tikamgarh is a town and a tehsil in Tikamgarh district in the Indian state of Madhya Pradesh. The city serves as a district headquarters. The earlier name of Tikamgarh was Tehri consisting of three hamlets, forming a rough triangle. In Tikamgarh town there is locality still known as 'Purani Tehri'. Until Indian independence in 1947, Tikamgarh, formerly called Tehri, was part of the kingdom of Orchha, which was founded in the 16th century by the Bundeli chief Rudra Pratap Singh, who became the first King of Orchha. In 1783 the capital of the state was moved to Tehri, about 40 miles (64 km) south of Orchha, which was home to the fort of Tikamgarh, and the town eventually took the name of the fort. The district is famous for the old fort of Kundar known as Garh Kundar, which was built by Khangars and remained the capital of Khangar rulers from 1180 to 1347.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Amber Fort</span> UNESCO World Heritage Site In India

Amer Fort or Amber Fort is a fort located in Amer, Rajasthan, India. Amer is a town with an area of 4 square kilometres (1.5 sq mi) located 11 kilometres (6.8 mi) from Jaipur, the capital of Rajasthan. Located high on a hill, it is the principal tourist attraction in Jaipur. Amer Fort is known for its artistic style elements. With its large ramparts and series of gates and cobbled paths, the fort overlooks Maota Lake, which is the main source of water for the Amer Palace.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Kulpahar</span> City in Uttar Pradesh, India

Kulpahar is a city in Mahoba district in the Indian state of Uttar Pradesh. It is a historical town in the Bundelkhand region. Before 11 Feb 1995 Kulpahar was a Tehsil of Hamirpur District. On 11 Feb 1995 Mahoba District was carved out of Hamirpur, and Kulpahar is now a part of the Mahoba District. Kulpahar is the largest Subdivision of Uttar Pradesh. Kulpahar is known for its closeness to Khajuraho and other historic places like Mahoba, Charkhari, Kalinjar Rath, Orchha, and Jhansi. This town holds relics of temples and man-made water bodies of the Chandela Dynasty

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Junagarh Fort</span> Fort in Bikaner, Rajasthan, India

Junagarh Fort is a fort in the city of Bikaner, Rajasthan, India. Raja Dhaj, Ror Kumar, ruled over the principality of Junagarh in the fifth century BC. The fort was originally called Chintamani and was renamed Junagarh or "Old Fort" in the early 20th century when the ruling family moved to Lalgarh Palace outside the fort limits. It is one of the few major forts in Rajasthan which is not built on a hilltop. The modern city of Bikaner has developed around the fort.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Jaisalmer Fort</span> Fort in Jaisalmer, Rajasthan, India

Jaisalmer Fort is situated in the city of Jaisalmer, in the Indian state of Rajasthan. It is one of the very few "living forts" in the world, as nearly one fourth of the old city's population still resides within the fort. For the better part of its 860-year history, the fort was the city of Jaisalmer. The first settlements outside the fort walls, to accommodate the growing population of Jaisalmer, are said to have come up in the 17th century.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Gwalior Fort</span> Fort in Madhya Pradesh, India

The Gwalior Fort, commonly known as the Gwālīyar Qila, is a hill fort near Gwalior, Madhya Pradesh, India. 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 modern-day fort, embodying a defensive structure and two palaces was built by the Tomar Rajput ruler Man Singh Tomar. The fort has been administered by a number of different rulers in its history.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Architecture of Rajasthan</span> Architecture in the Indian state of Rajasthan

The architecture of the Indian state of Rajasthan has usually been a regional variant of the style of Indian architecture prevailing in north India at the time. Rajasthan is especially notable for the forts and palaces of the many Rajput rulers, which are popular tourist attractions.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">History of Rajasthan</span> Brief history of the Indian state of Rajasthan

The history of human settlement in the western Indian state of Rajasthan dates back to about 100,000 years ago. Around 5000 to 2000 BCE many regions of Rajasthan belonged as the site of the Indus Valley Civilization. Kalibangan is the main Indus site of Rajasthan, here fire altars have been discovered, similar to those found at Lothal.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Chaturbhuj Temple (Orchha)</span> Hindu temple in Madhya Pradesh, India

Chaturbhuj Temple, dedicated to Vishnu, is situated at Orchha in Madhya Pradesh, India. The name Chaturbhuj is a combination of 'chatur' meaning "four" and 'bhuj' meaning "arms" which literally translates to "one who has four arms" and refers to Rama an Avatar of Vishnu. The temple has a complex multi-storied structural view which is a blend of temple, fort and palatial architectural features.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Culture of Rajasthan</span> Overview of Rajasthans culture

The culture of Rajasthan includes many artistic traditions that reflect the ancient Indian way of life. This historical state of India attracts tourists and vacationers with its rich culture, tradition, heritage and monuments.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Tourism in Rajasthan</span> Overview of tourism in Rajasthan, India

Rajasthan is one of the most popular tourist destinations in India, for both domestic and international tourists. Rajasthan attracts tourists for its historical forts, palaces, art and culture with its slogan "Padharo Mhare Desh " The capital city, Jaipur, also known as Pink City, is a very popular tourist destination and is a part of the Golden Triangle. The Walled City of Jaipur is only the second Indian city to be recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, after Ahmedabad.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Vir Singh Deo</span> 17th century Mughal Empire noble, Ruler of Orchha

Raja Vir Singh Ju Deo, also known as Bir Singh Dev, was a Bundela Rajput chief and the ruler of the kingdom of Orchha in the historic Bundelkhand region of modern Madhya Pradesh. He was a vassal of the imperial Mughal Empire. and ruled between the year 1605 and either 1626 or 1627.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Hill Forts of Rajasthan</span> UNESCO World Heritage Site in northern India

Hill Forts of Rajasthan are six forts, spread across Rajasthan state in northern India. They have been clustered as a series and designated as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2013. The hill forts series include—Chittor Fort at Chittorgarh, Kumbhalgarh Fort at Rajsamand, Ranthambore Fort at Sawai Madhopur, Gagron Fort at Jhalawar, Amer Fort at Jaipur and Jaisalmer Fort at Jaisalmer.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Gagron Fort</span> Fort in Jhalawar, Rajasthan, India

Gagron Fort is a hill and water fort and is situated in Jhalawar district of Rajasthan, in the Hadoti region of India. It is an example of a hill and water fort. The fort has also been controlled by Rajput, Sher Shah and Akbar. The fort is constructed on the confluence of Ahu River and Kali Sindh River. The fort is surrounded by water on three sides and a moat on the forth side and hence earned the name Jaladurg . It was designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2013 as a part of Hill Forts in Rajasthan.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Orchha Fort complex</span> Historical monument site in Orchha, Madhya Pradesh, India

The Orchha Fort complex, which houses a large number of ancient monuments consisting of the fort, palaces, temple, and other edifices, is located in the Orchha town in the Indian state of Madhya Pradesh. The fort and other structures within it were built by the Bundela Rajputs starting from the early 16th century by King Rudra Pratap Singh of the Orchha State and others who followed him.

References

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  2. ↑ Ghurye, G.S (2005). Rajput architecture. Popular Prakashan Pvt. Limited. p. 44. ISBN   9788171544462.
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  5. ↑ Michell, 295-96
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  10. 1 2 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.
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  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.
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  17. ↑ Orchha Archived 7 February 2009 at the Wayback Machine British Library.
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  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."
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