My paper presentation on Evolution of forts with reference to Kumbhalgarh fort in Rajasthan.

1. EVOLUTION OF FORT ARCHITECTURE WITH
SPECIAL REFERENCE TO KUMBHALGARH
FORT IN RAJASTHAN
Presented by-
Shaivya Pant, IPU182508
(Architecture of India-88651)

2. ■ A fort is a strong building with thick wall all around it where
soldiers can stay, protect royal families and the their subjects
from the enemy.
■ It can be seen as a protected enclosure building which is
standing still in the defence of an enemy.
■ Forts in all over the world was used mainly for defense
purpose.
■ In ancient and medieval literature, the term ‘Durga’ applies to
all kinds of forts.
■ Durga originated from Sanskrit word ‘Durgam’, means difficult.
■ In Rigveda, its called ‘Pur’ meaning fort or a stronghold.
CONCEPT OF FORT

3. ■ Fortification was considered essential from the earliest times for the protection against
wild animals
■ Then after the development of weaponry and armament, there were hostile attacks
from neighbouring territory; it became necessary to provide fortifications and raise
armies for defence.
■ Forts were built to ensure a safe and secure human settlement, to keep the enemy far
away and to ensure having an upper hand during war.
■ There are basically three prime reasons for a king to build a fort- first is to establish the
empire in the region, to sustain it and expand it.
WHY WERE FORTS BUILT?

4. TYPES
OF
FORTS
JAL
DUR
G GIRI
DUR
G
VANA
DUR
G
DHAN
U
DUR
G
MAHI
DUR
G
NAR
DUR
G

5. COMPONENTS OF FORT
GATEWAY/DWARA BRIDGE OVER MOAT
RAMPART
BASTIONS
(ATTALAKAS)
MOAT FILLED
WITH WATER
(PARIKHA)
COURTYARD
GUNPOINT
KANGURA
(CRENEL)
DOMED KIOSK
INNER CHAMBERS

6. ■ India has very long history of fort and fortification that began from
Indus valley civilization. Man of stone age constructed shelter for
his safety and climate on the river valleys and mountainy areas.
■ The plans of the Harrapan cities show that their layout usually
consisted of two distinct parts: the actual urban zone and the
citadel, generally located at a higher level, whose defensive works
varied depending on the sites.
■ The defensive walls was in many shape (quadrangle). Their were
two purpose of fortification wall- protect settlement from flood
and to restrict invaders.
■ At Harappa and Mohenjo Daro, the citadel only is surrounded by a
wall made up of mud or burnt bricks.
■ Harappan fort has towers and rampart in the lower surface.
■ Its length- 415m, width- 193m approximately.
■ There were many gateways- northern one was the main entrance.
Gateway 1, 2,3 in the western side situated at the curved part.
ANCIENT FORT AND FORTIFICATIONS

7. ■ The “second urban revolution” is a significant period, particularly around 600
B.C. with the advent of janapadas into a large kingdom formation as
Mahajanpadas.
■ While the period marked a transition to use of brick and stone, wood was still
the material of choice.
■ Magadha emerged victorious of all janpadas with its capital at Rajgir, the
palace was built in Patliputra.
■ Palace is 80 stadia in length and 15 in width.
■ It is in a shape of parallelogram, wooden walls pierced with loopholes to
discharge arrows, ditch infront for defence, wide and deep moat.
■ Semi-circular bastions flanked with gateway on the wall.
■ 570 towers, 64 gates
■ The pillars of the palace were tall, tapering, polished and of chunar sandstone,
adorned with golden vines and silver birds in royal palace.
■ The remains of one of the buildings, an 80 pillared hall at Kumrahar are of
particular significance. 13.5km –length, 3.5km wide
■ Fortification wall like railway track made of wooden material, found in Bulandi
bagh in Pataliputra.

8.  With the advent of the Muslims, there were several changes to the construction and
design of forts.
 The seeds of the Sultanate in Delhi were sown with the coming of Muhammad Ghuri and
Qutbuddin Aibek. It was formally established by Iltutmish in the 13th century. Sultanate
architecture involved the use of the arch and dome technique.
 The art of putting a round dome on a square building base, enabled rooms to have a clear
view as no support structures obstructed the spaces. They used a fine quality, superior
lime mortar for construction and the decorations involved geometric designs with verses
from the Quran.
 In Balban’s rule, we can see the appearance of the first true arch in architecture. This arch
was made with the help of wedge-shaped stones which are held together with the help
of a keystone at the centre.
 Khilji built his capital at Siri fort, this was the start of the city fortress complex model
which was continued by his successors. The entire city would be enclosed within fortified
walls and institutions such as masjids, madrasas, temples etc. would be made inside.
 Tughlaq architecture saw a new trend of building structures on high platforms as can be
seen in Ghiyasuddin Tughlaq’s tomb.
 Firoz Shah Tughlaq, the last ruler of the Delhi Sultanate, built the Firoz Shah Kotla fortified
complex in the 14th century. This complex exhibits the technique of ‘batter’ or sloping
walls which sloped inwards to render a structure stable and strong under attack.

9. ■ The 15th century saw the rise of the famous ruler of Mewar, Rana Kumbha.
He is known for building forts, the most prominent of which is the
Kumbhalgarh fort in Rajasthan.
■ The Lodi dynasty introduced gardens as one of the most distinct features of
constructions, also the double dome.
■ In Mughal era, The layout of the building involved a square base of red
sandstone topped with a white marble dome and flat roof started by Akbar-
Agra fort, half dome- Buland Darwaza.
■ The introduction of artillery in the 16th century called for changes in fort
architecture. Forts were made with lower and thicker walls and with bastions
which were pushed out of the circumference of the fort.
■ While the thicker walls defended against bullets, the bastions helped in
tactics of offence as well as defense.
■ More space was left out between the citadel and the outer walls as can be
gauged from the Golkonda fort.
■ Gates were made tall for the elephants to pass through and at the same time,
rows of spikes were used to prevent the enemy elephants from breaking the
gate down.
■ With the coming of the colonial forces in the 16th and 17th centuries, forts
came to be built as trading posts for commercial purposes as well. They also
functioned as places of refuge for people during sieges and revolts.

10. ■ Māru-Gurjara architecture (Rajasthani architecture) originated in the
sixth century in and around areas of the state of Rajasthan in India.
■ “Maru Gurjara art” literally means “art of Rajasthan”.
■ Rajasthan’s architecture is chiefly based on Rajput school of
architecture which was an assortment of the Mughal and the Hindu
structural plan.
■ Rajasthani architecture include-
1. Chhatri- refers to a canopy or an umbrella.
2. Jharokha- It’s a type of enclosed balcony/stone window/projected
balcony
3. Stepwell- It’s a well/pond, are known by many names such as
Kalyani, Pushkarani, Bawdi, Baoli, Barav or Vaav.
4. Haveli or Mahal- derived from the Persion word Hawli which means
an "enclosed place".
5. Johad- storage of rainwater in tank
RAJPUT ARCHITECTURE FEATURES

11. ■ LOCATION- Kelwada tehsil, Rajsamand district
■ BUILT IN- Started in 1438 AD and completed in 1458 AD (20 years)
■ ALTITUDE- 1100 mt. above sea level, 3568 feet above ground level
■ PURPOSE- protection from Malwa and Gujarat
■ DESIGNED BY- Mandan and Maharana Kumbha
■ Second most important fort in Rajasthan (Mewar dynasty).
■ Second largest wall in the world.
■ It stands on the ruins of Sampati’s (Ashoka’s grandson) fort.
KUMBHALGARH FORT

13. ■ It is situated on the highest peak of Aravalli.
■ There is strong citadel around the fort protecting 24km area of the fort. It
is strong and wide that 8 horsemen can run in a row.
■ 700 strong open bunkers for placing canons.
■ 4 big gates in 4 directions.
■ Series of walls with battlements and curved bastions with huge
watchtowers.
■ Bastions raised till declivity in the hill side, walls run vertically to the top of
the hills and at intervals steeps are provided.
■ Length of the fort- 14 km
■ Only fort in Rajasthan that comes under the category of fort- forest fort,
hill fort, artificial man-made fort.
■ Exterior wall has 3 stone idols head which demonstrate the severe
punishment given to traitors.
■ All the facilities like food grains and crops were grown inside the complex
to give rest and security to army.
■ Several underground passages made, longest- 7 km.
INTRODUCTION TO FORT

14. ■ The forts have beautiful and strategic gateways for entering the fort.
■ These are double storey gateways locally known as pols for guards.
■ Octagonal bastions, arched openings, wooden gates, topped with battlements and
in between kanguras.
■ There are 7 fortified barrier gates-
1. Aerat pol- First barrier gate in south direction, lower level- guard rooms, upper
level- residential area, used a hunting spot as area nearby is surrounded by forest.
2. Halla pol- Second gate, guards could alert others by making loud noise of caution,
zig-zag turning of gate
3. Hanuman pol- arched opening gate, flanked on both side, residence for guards, an
idol of Hanuman placed by Maharana Kumbha in front.
4. Ram pol- gate at north side, small chambers for guards
5. Vijaya pol- used by common public due to ruins of houses seen.
6. Ganesh pol- entrance to Badal Mahal
7. Nimbu pol- emergency exit
 Other small gates and entry points were called Bari.
 Paghara pol- cavalry was assembled.
GATEWAYS/POLS

15. TYPE OF
STRUCTURES
IN THE FORT
PALACE AND
COMPLEXES
HYDRAULIC
RELIGIOUS

16. PALACES
IN THE
FORT
KUMBHA
PALACE
BADAL
MAHAL
JHALIA KI
MALIA

17. ■ It seems to touch the clouds in sky.
■ It is also called Fateh Prakash.
■ It was built by Rana Fateh Singh (1885-1930).
■ Highest point of Kumbhalgarh.
■ Double storey structure divided into Zanana Mahal and
Mardana Mahal.
■ The place has several large and small rooms.
BADAL MAHAL
Octagonal bastions
Domed roof
arched window opening
arcade
brackets

18. ■ The most striking feature of Badal Mahal are
white corridor and floral arches inside.
foliated arcade
Projected balcony/Jharoka
supported by brackets
Projected chajja
over balcony
floral designs
fighting scenes of
elephant warriors
Stone jalis
Bhairav mandir
mandap

19. ■ Close to Badal Mahal at lower terrace is Kumbha Palace.
■ Located close to Pagada Pol.
■ The palace is two storey edifice which was initially in
ruins.
■ Lower floor- rectangular hall with small chambers
approached through staircase
■ Upper floor- 2 rooms, corridor in the middle and open
space in front. Rooms are spacious and have plastered
walls with lime flooring.
■ Rooms have stone carved windows or Jharokhas.
■ Royal kitchen and toilet in front.
■ 2 spacious Bhojansalas on left.
KUMBHA PALACE

20. Projected balcony
supported by
brackets
Fortification wall
Rectangular openings Curved bastion
Foliated arcade

21. ■ The palace of queen Jhalli locally.
■ The palace is situated near Paghara Pol and is constructed by using
rubble stone.
■ The walls of the palace are plain and the roof is flat.
■ This is the same palace (lower floor) in which Rana Pratap was
born- 9 May 1540.
■ It has a small chambers, verandah and open courtyard in the lower
floor.
JHALIA KI MALIA
Square doomed roof