Rajput architecture

Rajput Architecture is a architectural style notable for the forts and palaces of the many
Rajput rulers, which are popular tourist attractions, many of the Rajput forts are UNESCO
World Heritage Site.

Chandramahal in City Palace, Jaipur, built by Kachwaha Rajputs

Jal Mahal, Jaipur

City Palace, Udaipur

Chittor Fort

Rajput Architecture represents different types of buildings, which may broadly be classed
either as secular or religious. The secular buildings are of various scales. These include
temples, forts, stepwells, gardens, and palaces. The forts were specially built for defense and
military purposes due to the Islamic invasions.

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[1]

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

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",[1] 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.[1]

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.[2][1]

The small but richly-carved Hindu Ambika Mata temple in Jagat, built before 960,and The five
Kiradu temples, of the 11th or 12th centuries are  an example of the Pratihar Rajput style.[3] 
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.[4][1] 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.[5]

Madhya Pradesh

Teli ka Mandir was built inside the Gwalior Fort by the Pratihara Rajput ruler Mihira Bhoja.[6][7]
Khajuraho Group of Monuments were built by Chandela Rajputs[8]

Gwalior Fort

Jahangir Mahal was built by Vir Singh Deo as a symbol of welcome to the Mughal emperor Jahangir.

The Khajuraho Group of Monuments were built by the Chandela Rajput rulers from 885 AD to
1050 AD.[8]
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.[9] Most part of the present day fort was
built by Man Singh Tomar, the Rajput king who ruled the region from 1486 to 1516.[10]

The Orchha state was founded in 1531 (the 16th century AD)[11] by the Bundela Rajput chief,
Rudra Pratap Singh,[12] who became the first King of Orchha, (r. 1501-1531) and also built the
Fort of Orchha.[13] The Chaturbhuj Temple was built during the reign of Mughal emperor
Akbar, by the queen of Orchha, Ganesh Kunwar,[14] while Raj Mandir was built by 'Raja
Madhukar Shah' during his reign, 1554 to 1591.[15][16] 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.[17]

Uttar Pradesh

Rani Mahal, Kalinjar Fort

Jhansi Fort night view

Sun Temple, Mahoba district

Many Rajput dynasties ruled over Uttar Pradesh in the medeival 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.[18] Built on a rocky hill, the fort was also used by the Solankis of Rewa.[18]
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.[19][20] The Sun
temple and forts of Charkhari and Mangal Garh in the Mahoba district were built by the
Chandela rulers of Bundelkhand.[21][22]

Pakistan

Derawar Fort in Cholistan, an example of Rajput architecture

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

Gallery
Ambika Mata temple in Jagat, Rajasthan, by 960

Ranakpur Jain temple

Dev Somnath Temple, Dungarpur

Detailed Stone work, Karni Mata Temple, Bikaner Rajasthan

The Umaid Bhawan Palace at Jodhpur built between 1929 and 1942 is one of the largest royal
palaces in the world. It was designed by Henry Vaughan Lanchester in a blend of Beaux-Arts
and traditional Rajput styles.

Lalgarh Palace, Bikaner, designed in the Indo-Saracenic style by Samuel Swinton Jacob.
The Albert Hall Museum was designed by Samuel Swinton Jacob, and was opened as public
museum in 1887.

Amer Fort
Hawa Mahal, Jaipur

Mehrangarh Fort, Jodhpur

One of the Sahastra Bahu Temples built during the 10th century CE in Pratihara era

Jain Temple inside Jaisalmer Fort

Ganesh Pol Entrance, Amer Fort

Sheesh Mahal, Amer Fort

Jaisalmer Fort

Aerial view of Kumbhalgarh Fort

Jain Temple, Kumbhalgarh Fort

Ranthambhore Fort
Jain Temple, Ranthambore Fort

Gagron Fort
Vijay Stambha at Chittor Fort

References

1. Michell, George (1990), The Penguin Guide to the Monuments of India, Volume 1: Buddhist, Jain,
Hindu, 1990, Penguin Books, pg -288-301 ISBN 0140081445

2. Rahman, Azera Parveen (2019-03-16). "Make them well again: trying to save Gujarat's ancient
stepwells" (https://www.thehindu.com/society/history-and-culture/make-them-well-again-trying-to-s
ave-gujarats-ancient-stepwells/article26553408.ece) . The Hindu. ISSN 0971-751X (https://www.w
orldcat.org/issn/0971-751X) .

3. Michell, 295-96

4. Michell, George (1990), The Penguin Guide to the Monuments of India, Volume 1: Buddhist, Jain,
Hindu, 1990, Penguin Books, pg -311 ISBN 0140081445

5. Hegewald, Julia A. B. (2011). "The International Jaina Style? Māru-Gurjara Temples Under the
Solaṅkīs, throughout India and in the Diaspora" (https://doi.org/10.3998%2Fars.13441566.0045.00
5) . Ars Orientalis. 45 (20191029). doi:10.3998/ars.13441566.0045.005 (https://doi.org/10.3998%2
Fars.13441566.0045.005) . ISSN 2328-1286 (https://www.worldcat.org/issn/2328-1286) .

6. A History of India from the Earliest Times to the Present Day - Page 85 (https://www.google.com/se
arch?q=Two+consecutive+Rajput+kings+,+Mihira+Bhoja+I+and+Mahendrapala+I+,+ruled+with+force
+from+Kanauj&client=ms-android-asus-tpin&prmd=vni&sxsrf=ALeKk02B_SThbAAAl1eF4dvvQ_KjTO
B99w:1622965445489&source=lnms&tbm=bks&sa=X&ved=2ahUKEwizgfG2wYLxAhWCbysKHYiQDd
kQ_AUoBnoECAIQBg&biw=360&bih=593&dpr=3)

7. K. D. Bajpai (2006). History of Gopāchala (https://books.google.com/books?id=Q3KcwLKuRnYC&pg

=PA31) . Bharatiya Jnanpith. p. 31. ISBN 978-81-263-1155-2.
8. Explore India: The Official Newsletter of the Ministry of Tourism (https://www.google.com/search?q
=The+temples+of+Khajuraho+are+India%27s+unique+gift+to+the+world+,+representing+paean+to+l
ife+,+love+and+joy+%3B+perfect+in+execution+...+in+stone+,+testifying+to+the+craftsman%27s+ar
tistry+and+the+pote+extraordinary+breadth+of+vision+of+the+Chandela+Rajputs+.&client=ms-andr
oid-asus-tpin&prmd=inv&sxsrf=ALeKk032Ov1hSRoJQ9EsAUWsAqySkUamnQ:1622965870976&sour
ce=lnms&tbm=bks&sa=X&ved=2ahUKEwji-eKBw4LxAhXHdCsKHS-CAbcQ_AUoBnoECAIQBg&biw=36
0&bih=593&dpr=3) 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."

9. Textbook of Indian history and culture (https://books.google.co.in/books?id=fpJ7ry7B5TYC&pg=PA1

58&dq=gwalior+fort+finest+rajput+architecture&hl=en&sa=X&ved=2ahUKEwi1g56j4IXxAhW_zTgGHc
03ChQQ6AEwAHoECAgQAw#v=onepage&q=gwalior%20fort%20finest%20rajput%20architecture&f
=false)

10. Last Spring: The Lives and Times of the Great Mughals (https://books.google.co.in/books?id=vyVW0
STaGBcC&pg=PT1085&dq=gwalior+fort+built+by+rajputs&hl=en&sa=X&ved=2ahUKEwiP7OPGvILxA
hVMWysKHYBiBrkQ6AEwA3oECAQQAw#v=onepage&q=gwalior%20fort%20built%20by%20rajputs&f
=false)

11. Orchha (http://tikamgarh.nic.in/tourism.htm) Tikamgarh district Official website.

12. Sen, Sailendra (2013). A Textbook of Medieval Indian History. Primus Books. p. 187. ISBN 978-9-
38060-734-4.

13. Mausoleum of Raja Rudra Pratap (http://www.bl.uk/onlinegallery/onlineex/apac/photocoll/m/019ph

o000430s21u00011000.html) , British Library.

14. Orchha (http://www.collectbritain.co.uk/personalisation/object.cfm?uid=019PHO0000050S2U001

34000) Archived (https://web.archive.org/web/20090207053923/http://www.collectbritain.co.uk/
personalisation/object.cfm?uid=019PHO0000050S2U00134000) 7 February 2009 at the Wayback
Machine British Library.

15. "UQconnect, The University of Queensland" (http://www.uq.net.au/~zzhsoszy/ips/o/orchha.html) .

Retrieved 23 July 2016.

16. Raj Mandir (http://www.collectbritain.co.uk/personalisation/object.cfm?uid=019PHO0000002S4U00

056000) Archived (https://web.archive.org/web/20120112035021/http://www.collectbritain.co.u
k/personalisation/object.cfm?uid=019PHO0000002S4U00056000) 12 January 2012 at the
Wayback Machine British Library.

17. Gbooks (https://books.google.co.in/books?id=I_pndNDyhtoC&pg=PA19&dq=According+to+Sir+Willia

m+Sleeman,+the+fort+of+Singorgarh+was+built+by+R%C3%A1j%C3%A1+Belo,+one+of+the+Chande
l+R%C3%A1j%C3%A1s+of+Mahoba&hl=en&sa=X&ved=2ahUKEwiyiPPnq5TxAhVCWysKHXcNCdcQ6
AEwAXoECAcQAw#v=onepage&q=According%20to%20Sir%20William%20Sleeman%2C%20the%20f
ort%20of%20Singorgarh%20was%20built%20by%20R%C3%A1j%C3%A1%20Belo%2C%20one%20of%
20the%20Chandel%20R%C3%A1j%C3%A1s%20of%20Mahoba&f=false) Quote: "According to Sir
William Sleeman, the fort of Singorgarh was built by Rájá Belo, one of the Chandel Rájás of Mahoba."
18. Kalinjar Fort Google Books (https://books.google.co.in/books?id=c79aDwAAQBAJ&pg=PT122&dq=
Kalinjar+fort+built+by+rajput&hl=en&sa=X&ved=2ahUKEwj7l8bfppTxAhUNzTgGHQ3HB2U4HhDoATA
AegQIBRAD#v=onepage&q&f=false)

19. Jhansi Fort - Govt of Uttar Pradesh (https://jhansi.nic.in/tourist-place/jhansi-fort/#:~:text=The%20fo

rt%20of%20Maharani%20Jhansi,has%20ten%20gates%20(%20Darwaza).)

20. Indian Stories: Images and Thoughts (https://books.google.co.in/books?id=K1TuDwAAQBAJ&pg=PT

150&dq=jhansi+fort+built+by+bundela+rajputs&hl=en&sa=X&ved=2ahUKEwjvuuKYsJTxAhUHfisKHb
U8CVoQ6AEwA3oECAMQAw#v=onepage&q=jhansi%20fort%20built%20by%20bundela%20rajputs&f
=false)

21. चरखारी : बुन्देलखण्ड का काश्मीर (https://bundelkhand.in/charkhari-bundelkhand-ka-kashmir)

22. On World Heritage Day, Mahoba’s Sun Temple in shadow of ignorance The Times of India 18 April
2018 (https://m.timesofindia.com/city/lucknow/mahobas-sun-temple-in-shadow-of-ignorance/amp_
articleshow/63810149.cms)

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