1. Rajput Architecture Time : the 14th and 15th centuries
• The Rajput Rulers had a keen sense of beauty in Art and Architecture which is
seen in the artistic excellence of their temples, forts and palaces.
• The Indo-Aryan style of architecture developed in North India and Upper
Deccan
• the Dravidian style in South India during the Rajput period.
• Both sculpture and architecture attained a high degree of excellence.
• The Rathas of Mahabalipuram or Mamallapuram, the Kailash temple at Ellora
and the sculpture of Elephanta belonging to the early Rajput period (600 AD to
900 AD)
• The temple architecture of Orissa, Khajuraho, Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh and
the Pallava, Chola and Hoysala temples in the South belong to the later Rajput
period. (900 A.D. to 1200 A.D.)
2. The Significant Features of :
1. THE NORTH INDIAN STYLE ARE :
• the “Vimana” or sanctuary,
• the “Garbha Griha” or the small dark cell where the main idol is placed,
• the Shikhara - a ribbed curvilinear spire over the Garbha Griha,
• the Amalaka or round stone on the Shikhara
• Sabha mandap used by devotees for group meditation, religious discourses etc.,
e.g.
• Vishwanath and the Khandariya Mahadeva Temples, the Khajuraho temples,
• the Surya Temple at Konark,
• the Lingaraj temple at Bhubaneshwar,
• the Jagannath Temple in Puri and
• the Tejpala Temple at Mt. Abu.
3. • The Khajuraho Temple at Bundelkhand (the present Chatarpur district of M. Pradesh)
were constructed by the Chandela ruler of Jejabhukti between 950 A.D. and 1050 A.D.
• About twenty five temples in all, these belong to the Shaiva, Vaishnava , and Jain sects.
• The Khajuraho temples are built of pink buff-coloured and light yellow
fine grained sand-stone.
• The temple are compact and are erected on a high platform terrace
• The temple have an entrance porch, a mandap or hall, a vestibule and
the Garbha- Griha or sanctorum.
• The larger temples have space around the Garhha-Griha for purpose
of pradakshin.(or circumambulation) with a projecting balcony window
on either aide and at the back giving it the shape of a cross with two long arms.
• The balcony window which have a canopy of overhanging eaves are the most
attractive features of the Khajuraho temples.
• The temple has an Adhishtana or base which has beautiful mouldings.
THE KHAJURAHO TEMPLES
4. • These hold the platform terrace. The space between them is taken up by very
gracefu11y carved alternate projections and recessives.
• compartments rising gradually, one higher than the other –
• the one over the Garbha- Griha being the highest.
• The structure over the entrance porch and mandapa are pyramidal in shape but
• the Shikhara over the sanctum is tall and curvilinear.
• Entrance to the temple is through the entrance porch which has a Makara Torana
flanked by crocodiles.
• The torana has minute figures carved on it.
• The doorways, pillars and ceilings are all profusely carved with floral and
geometrical designs.
5. The Kandriya Mahadeva temple:
• belong to the Shaiva group.
• also enshrining a linga is the largest
monument of Khajuraho.
• It is 30.5 m in length and height and
• 20 m in width.
• built between 1017 AD. – 1029 AD. in the reign of
Vidyadhara Chandela.
• similar to the Vishwanath temple in plan, it is a
magnificent piece of architectural skill with a
series of graded and ascending shikharas – 84 in
all, it presents a picture of architectural
excellence.
• Its lofty basement has sculptured friezes of
elephants, horses, hunters, dancers, musicians
etc.
• The interior design of this temple is like that of
any other Khajuraho temple though it is larger
and more lavishly sculptured
Khandariya Mahadev Temple, Khajuraho
6. The Parswanatha Temple
• built in 950-70 AD
• dedicated to the first Jain
Tirthankara
• the finest and largest of Jain
temples in Khajuraho.
• It is rectangular and has axial
projections in the front and back.
• The entrance porch has a highly
ornamental ceiling embellished with
floral and chain patterns.
• The sanctum, a vestibule and
mahamandapa are other features of
the temple and contain figures of
Jinas.
• particular feature of this temple is that Vaishnava themes are more dominant in the
sculptures such as those of Rama, Sita, Hanuman and Parasurama.
• Beautiful figures of Sura-Sundaris in various poses adorn the walls.
• The sikhara of the temple has three rows of scu1ptural bands on the outer facade.
7. RAJPUT CIVIL ARCHITECTURE /OTHER PROJECTS OF RAJPUTS
• The Rajput Rulers being great builders spent lavishly on constructions other than
temples.
• They built dams, artificial lakes, canals, toranes or arched gateways, sthambas or
towers, fortresses and palaces which even today testify to the their skill in
engineering and architecture.
• Some of the places where they built majestic fortresses are Chittorgarh, Jaipur
(Amber), Jaisalmer, Jodhpur, Mandu, Ranthanbor and Gwalior.
• These forts were usual built on hillocks and entry was a circuitous ascent made
difficult by barriers at intervals.
• The forts had strong massive walls and numerous round and square towers.
• They are excellent specimens of Rajput skill.
Chittorgarh Fort, Jaipur
10. Chittorgarh Fort 7th Century A.D.
• Constructed By Bhim, a Pandava (As per the legend)
• Highlights Numerous palaces and towers inside the fort
• located 175 kms. east of Udaipur
• dedicated to Chitrangad Maurya Bappa Rawal ,the founder of the Sisodia dynasty.
• spread over 700 acres and houses regal palaces, temples and towers.
• built over a 180 m high rocky hills of the Aravalli Ranges.
• The fort provides great strategic importance to Chittorgarh
• The fort has seven gates, namely, Padan Pol, Bhairon Pol, Hanuman Pol, Ganesh
Pol, Jorla Pol, Lakshman Pol and the main gate Ram Pol.
• The major buildings within the Chittorgarh Fort are the Vijay Stambh (Tower of
Victory), Kirti Stambh and Rana Kumbha Palace.
• The palaces within the fort include
• Rana Kumbha Palace,
• Fateh Prakash Palace,
• Padmini's Palace, etc
• There were 84 water bodies in the fort.
• At least 22 of them still exist, which
include talabs, kunds, baoris
(stepwells) and wells.
11. Kirti Stambh or Tower of Fame :
• Seven story and 22 meters high tower
• built by a wealthy Jain merchant in the 12th century AD.
• tower is dedicated to Adinathji, the first of the Jain Tirthankaras
• decorated with figures of the Jain pantheon.
Samadhisvara Temple
• Dedicated to Lord Siva,
• built by Bhoja Parmara in early 11th century AD
•. Thrimoorthi Shiva is enshrined in the sanctum
• consists good sculptured friezes.
• Garbhagriha, an Antarala and a
Gudha-mandapa with Mukhmandapa
(entrance porch) on northern, western and
southern sides
12. The Sthambas:
• The most exquisite of their Sthambas is the Jaya Sthamba or Victory Tower in
Chittor.
• It was erected by Maharana Kumbha in the 13th century (1457-58 )to commemorate
his victory over Mahmd. I, the ruler of Malwa.
• The tower is 122 feet high nine storeyed structure
• Its summit spans an area of more than 17 feet
• It has 35’-0”broad base reston a 42’-0”broad platform.
• Each storeys have doorways leading into
colonnaded balconies.
• Designed by an architect called Jaita in the Jain
revivalist style
• the tower is built of quartz and compact limestone
• it is elaborately decorated with statues of Hindu
deities both inside and outside.
• The colonnaded top storey has a statue of a kanya
(young girl) surrounded by gopis (milkmaids)
in dancing postures playing various musical
instruments.
• The fifth floor contains reliefs of the builders of the
tower, and a simple staircase which leads right up
to the top connects all the storeys. Victory Tower, Chittorgarh
13. The Palaces
• Beautiful examples of Rajput palaces are the Udaipur Palace on lake Pichola built
by Maharana Udai Singh and the Hawa Mahal in Jaipur built by Raja Jai
Singh.
• Elaborate and decorative architecture, carved balconies, marble trellis-work, inlaid
mirror and mosaic work and exquisite miniature paintings adorn these
palaces.
• Built on Lakes and having extensive gardens, these palaces are pieces of
picturesque beauty
Lake Palace, Udaipur
14. The Lake Palace at Udaipur
• Constructed By Maharana Jagat Singh
• Year of Construction1743
•
15. • All domes are decked by lotus.
• Lotus is widely used in Tantrik worship.
• It is so similar with Rajput Architecture .
• large number of lotus domes on top of buildings in Rajasthan.
• Such as CHITTOR, UDAIPUR , DATIA etc.
• Besides that these structures are showing strong resemblance with Rajput buildings.
[Rajput architecture is also based on theory of Tantrashastra and Vastushastra].
Dome in Rajput Architecture is Showing Strong Resemblance
with Mughal Architecture (Jalatatva Pyramid).
