The Rajput rulers had a keen sense of beauty in art and architecture, as evidenced by the artistic excellence of their temples, forts, and palaces. During the Rajput period, the Indo-Aryan architectural style developed in North India and the Upper Deccan, and the Dravidian style developed in South India. Sculpture and architecture both achieved high levels of excellence. This article will explain to you about the art and architecture of Rajputs which will be helpful in History preparation for the UPSC Civil service exam.

Art and Architecture of Rajputs - Background

• Rajput architecture is notable for the many Rajput rulers' forts and palaces.
• Rajput Architecture encompasses a wide range of structures that can be broadly classified as either secular or religious.
• The scales of the secular structures vary. Temples, forts, stepwells, gardens, and palaces are examples.
• Due to the Islamic invasions, the forts were specially built for defence and military purposes.
• Mughal architecture had a significant impact on indigenous Rajput art and architecture.
• Islamic elements influenced by Mughal architecture, as well as local cultural styles, coexist in Rajput architecture.
• Rajput architecture includes city or town planning as well. Several rulers built cities, and the planning was meticulous.
• The cities, which are housed within the forts, have distinct structures and functions.

Temples Built by Rajputs

The Rajputs constructed the Rathas of Mahabalipuram, the Kailash temple at Ellora, and the Elephanta engravements between 600 and 900 AD.

Kailash Temple

• They built the Pallava, Chola, and Hoysala temples between 900 and 1200 AD.
• The Vishwanath and Khandariya temples, the Khajuraho temples, the Surya temple in Konark, the Lingaraj temple in Bhubaneshwar, the Jagannath temple in Puri, and the Tejapala temple in Mt. Abu are also included.
• The Khajuraho Temple in Bundelkhand (Chatarpur district of Madhya Pradesh) was built between 950 and 1050 A.D. by the Chandela ruler of Jejabhukti.
• There are approximately twenty-five temples in total, which belong to the Shaiva, Vaishnava, and Jain sects.
• Dhanga, a Chandela King, built the Vishwanatha Temple in 1002 AD.

Vishwanatha Temple

• The Khandariya Temple, Khajuraho's largest monument, was built between 1017 and 1029 AD.
• The Parsvanatha Temple was built as one of Khajuraho's largest Jain temples between 950 and 970 AD. This temple is rectangular in shape, with some projections here and there.

Parsvanatha Temple

• Palitana, the city of temples, is home to the Shri Rishabh Dev Temple and the Chaumukh Temple.
• The Dilwara Jain Temples were built by white marble in 1088 AD. It is located in Mount Abu, Rajasthan.
• These are a group of five temples and the most notable among them are the Vimalavasahi and Tejpala temples.

Features of Temples Built by Rajputs

Significant features of the North Indian (Indo-Aryan) style of temple architecture are:

• The "Vimana" is a sanctuary.
• The "Garbha Griha'' is the small dark cell where the main idol is placed.
• The “Shikhara” is a ribbed curvilinear spire over the Garbha Griha.
• The “Amalaka” is the round stone on the Shikhara surmounted by a golden Kalasa.

Features of Khajuraho Temples

• The Khajuraho temples are one of the most beautiful temples of this time.
• They are made of pink buff-colored and yellow fine-grained sandstone.
• The temple is small and is built on a high platform terrace.
• There is an entrance porch, a mandap or hall, a vestibule, and the Garbha-Griha or sanctorum in the temple.
• The larger temples have space around the Garhha-Griha for pradakshin (circumambulation) with a projecting balcony window on either side and at the back, giving it the shape of a cross with two long arms.
• The most appealing features of the Khajuraho temples are the balcony windows, which have a canopy of overhanging eaves.
• The temple has a beautiful Adhishtana, or base, with beautiful mouldings which is responsible for the stability of the platform terrace.
• The roofs of the temple's various inner compartments rise gradually, one higher than the other, with the one over the Garbha-Griha being the highest.
• The graded peaks are arranged in such a way that they resemble a mountain range.
• Although the structure over the entrance porch and mandapa is pyramidal in shape, the Shikhara over the sanctum is tall and curvilinear.
• The temple is entered through the entrance porch, which features a Makara Torana flanked by crocodiles. The torana is carved with tiny figures.
• There is sculpting of various legends such as fairies, spirits, and others.

Forts and Palaces of Rajputs

• The Rajputs built magnificent fortresses in Chittorgarh, Amber (Jaipur), Jaisalmer, Jodhpur, Ranthambore, Gwalior, and other locations.
• These forts are typically built on small hills, with some barriers erected to prevent unwanted visitors from entering. All of the forts had long walls and towers.
• The Chittorgarh fort of the 7th century AD is the largest fort in India. This fort has seven gates and many historical monuments such as the Vijay Stambh, Kirti Stambh, Fatah Prakash palace, and so on.

Chittorgarh Fort

• The most impressive is Chittor's Vijaya Stambh, or Tower of Victory which was built in the 13th century by Maharana Kumbha to commemorate his victory over the ruler of Malwa, Mahmd. I.

Vijaya Stambh

• This tower stands approximately 37 metres tall and has nine storeys. Statues of Hindu deities are carved into the tower's walls. It is square in shape and has balconies on all sides.
• The Jaisalmer fort was built in 1156 AD by the Bhati Rajput king Rao Jaisal, hence the name Jaisalmer. This fort is located in the Thar Desert on the Trikuta hill.
• Maharana Udai Singh built the Udaipur Palace on Lake Pichola.
• Raja Jai Singh built the Hawa Mahal in Jaipur. Their architecture is adorned with decorative marble work, mirrors, and small paintings.

Conclusion

The Rajputs have made significant contributions to the country's historical and cultural landscape. Of course, the community has made numerous contributions, but one that stands out is Rajput architecture. Rajasthan is brimming with breathtaking architectural brilliance. Rajput structures exhibit the greatest influence of Mughal architecture, or perhaps the integration of Islamic and Hindu architecture. Islamic elements influenced by Mughal architecture, as well as local cultural styles, coexist in Rajput architecture.