Rajput Architecture

Rajput Architecture
The Rajputs were great patrons of art and architecture, the finest examples being
their forts and palaces. The Rajput palaces are complex compositions built as
inner citadels surrounded by the city and enclosed by a fortified wall as at
Chittorgarh and Jaisalmer. Some forts, such as those at Bharatpur and Deeg, were
protected by wide moats.
The palaces of Jaisalmer, Bikaner, Jodhpur, Udaipur and Kota represent the
maturity of the Rajput style. All of these palaces were built predominantly in the
seventeenth and early eighteenth centuries. The huge fortified city of Jaisalmer is
situated far out in the Thar desert. The buildings are constructed with the local
yellow-brown stone and they have been remarkably preserved owing to their
remote location. The fort is enclosed by an imposing 30 feet high sandstone wall.
Wells within the fort provided a regular source of water.

The lavish Palaces and Forts built by the Rajput kings bear testimony to their
aesthetic sense. The majestic forts in Rajasthan like Chittorgarh,
Gwalior, Jodhpur, Jaisalmer, Amber and Ranthambor speak volumes about their
architecture. The colossal walls, square towers and mighty barriers spell out the Rajput
skill.
One of the excellent specimens of Rajput architecture is the Jaya Sthamba in
Chittor.
Elaborate architecture, impressive mosaic works, carved balconies, jharokhas, chatris,
inlaid mirror works, and miniature paintings have been heavily used by the kings to
build their palaces in Rajasthan. These royal abodes were often built by the lakeside or
were accompanied by gardens. The palace at Jodhpur is a fine instance.

Rajput Havelis Arched gateways, jharokhas, miniature paintings, balconies and

detailed mirror works are still found in the Rajput havelis. The sculptures on the niches
of the outer and inner walls of the havelis were inspired from the folk tales. Besides
these one would easily come across painted, stone and stucco murals and a plethora of
wood carvings. These havelis in Rajasthan were actually the residing places of affluent
businessmen.
Vijay Stambha is an imposing victory monument
located in Chittorgarh fort in Chittorgarh, Rajasthan
, constructed by Mewar king Rana Kumbha in 1448 to
commemorate his victory over the combined armies of
Malwa and Gujarat led by Mahmud Khilji. The tower is
dedicated to Vishnu.
It is believed that the tower took 10 years to be
completed. This exemplary piece of architecture stands
on a pedestal 10 feet high. Each of the nine stories are
distinctly marked with openings and balconies at every
face of each story. The interior staircase winds alternately
through the central chamber and surrounding gallery. The
construction was supervised by Sompura architects
originally from Patan.
The 37.19 m high 9-storied tower is one of the most
remarkable in India. It is built partly of red sandstone and
partly of white marble and is enriched by numerous
images of Hindu gods and goddesses with inscriptions at
the bottom of each.
Jharokhas jutting forward from the wall plane could be used both for
adding to the architectural beauty of the building itself or for a specific
purpose.
The tower is adorned memorably with Hindu God

and Goddess. It is dedicated to Lord Vishnu.
Made with red sand stone and white marble, this
tower has a balcony in each storey. Filled with
inscriptions, images of wepons, musical
instruments etc, this tower also has the portrait of
Jaita, architect of this tower with his 3 sons –
Napa, Puja and Poma. Tower is one of the most
attractive part in Chittorgarh Fort.
JAISALMER FORT
Jaisalmer Fort is one of the largest fortifications in the
world. It is situated in the city of Jaisalmer,
in the state of Rajasthan. It is a
World Heritage Site. It was built
in 1156 AD by the Rajput ruler
Rawal Jaisal, from whom it
derives its name.
Its massive yellow sandstone walls are a tawny lion colour during the day, fading to honey-gold
as the sun sets, thereby camouflaging the fort in the yellow desert. The fort is 1,500 ft (460 m)
long and 750 ft (230 m) wide and is built on a hill that raises above a height of 250 ft (76 m)
above the surrounding country side. The fort has four entrances to the townside, one of which
used to be guarded by cannon. Raj Mahal , the Royal palace, an example of Rajput Architecture
is located inside the Fort.

Jain-temple-Jaisalmer-fort
Patwon ki Haveli. The front

façade with the jharokhas and
beautiful stone jali.
A typical cobbled street in Jaisalmer

Jaisalmer Fort showing the three different sand
Royal Palace inside the Fort stone walls and the bastion houses along the
periphery.
HAWA MAHAL, JAIPUR 1799
.
Of many "experimental" works, in which the Hindu and the Islamic traditions had combined to create
something novel is the interesting example of the 'Hava Mahal' (the Palace of the Wind) at Jaipur. Here
an extraordinary experiment has been made to create a building suited to the hot, dry climate of
Rajasthan, by making the entire facade a perforated screen by creating over fifty slightly raised
pavilions, each a half oriel window, as it were, to allow little breeze to waft through those hundreds of
perforated jali windows. These half raised pavilions are covered by little domes and curvilinear roofs,
whilst the openings are arch-shaped.
The renowned 'Palace Of The Winds', or Hawa Mahal, is one of the prominent tourist
attractions in Jaipur city. Located in the heart of Jaipur, this beautiful five-storey palace was
constructed in 1799 by Maharaja Sawai Pratap Singh who belonged to Kachhwaha Rajput
dynasty. The main architect of this palace built of red and pink sandstone, is Lal Chand
Ustad and the palace is believed to have been constructed in the form of the crown of
Krishna, the Hindu god. Considered as an embodiment of Rajputana architecture, the main
highlight of Hawa Mahal is its pyramid shape with 'Jharokhas' which are decorated with
intricate designs. The main intention behind the construction of the Mahal was to facilitate the
royal women and provide them a view of everyday life through the windows, as they never
appeared in public.
Hawa Mahal, designed as a beehive castle with small windows, has a height of 50 feet from
its base. This structure, erected on a thin shield or podium has walls less than a foot thick. Its
entrance is a door which leads to a spacious courtyard surrounded by two-storey buildings on
three sides. Of the five storeys of the Mahal, the top three storeys have the thickness of a
single room while the bottom storeys have courtyards. The interior of the Hawa Mahal is stark
and plain with passages and pillars reaching to the top storey. The building does not have
stairs to reach the upper floors; the storeys are connected by slopes a device to facilitate
movement of palanquins carried by servants which is a less tiresome way. From Hawa Mahal,
you have an excellent view of the city. The monument also has an archeological museum.
Hotel Suryagarh, Jaisalmer
Hotel Suryagarh, Jaisalmer
Ar RaviGupta

Rajput Architecture

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Rajput Architecture

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Rajput Architecture

Rajput Havelis Arched gateways, jharokhas, miniature paintings, balconies and

The tower is adorned memorably with Hindu God

Patwon ki Haveli. The front

A typical cobbled street in Jaisalmer

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