Salient features of Architecture – Forts and Monuments

Major Forts of Rajasthan

Hill Forts of Rajasthan. The serial site, situated in the state of Rajastahan, includes six majestic forts in Chittorgarh; Kumbhalgarh; Sawai Madhopur; Jhalawar; Jaipur, and Jaisalmer are included in the list of UNESCO World heritage sites

Serial No	Name of Fort	Constructed by	Location	Related Dynasty
1	Mehrangarh	Rao Jodha	Jodhpur	Rathore
2	Taragarh	Ajay Pal	Ajmer	Chauhan
3	Gagron	Dord Parmar	Jhalawar	Parmar
4	Bhatner	Bhupat Bhati	Hanumangarh	Rathore
5	Nahargarh	Sawai Jaisingh	Jaipur	Kachwah
6	Lohagarh	Surajmal	Bharatpur	Jat
7	Ranthambore	Ranthamban Dev	Sawai Madhepur	Chauhan
8	Junagarh	Raja Raisingh	Bikaner	Rathore
9	Kumbhalgarh	Maharana Kumbha	Kumbhalgarh	Sishodiya
10	Chittord	Chitrangad Mori	Chitorgarh	Sishodiya
11	Achalgarh	Maharana Kumbha	Mount Abu	Parmar
12	Jaigarh	Mirja Raja Jai Singh	Jaipur	Kachwah
13	Jalore	Nagbhat	Jalore	Parmar
14	Jaisalmer	Rawal Jaisal	Jaisalmer	Bhati
15	Taragarh	Rao Barsingh	Bundi	Hada
16	Nagore	Samant Kaimas	Nagore	Rathore
17	Bala	Aldhurai	Alwar	Kachwah
18	Mandalgarh	Chauhans	Bhilwara	Chauhan
19	Churu	–	Churu	Kayamkhani
20	Kuchaman	–	Nagore	Rathore

Mazor Architectural Sties of Rajasthan

Adhai-Din-ka-Jhonpra	Ajmer	a Masjid built by Qutub-ud-Din-Aibak, first Sultan of Delhi, in AD 1199 contemporary to the other one built at Qutub-Minar complex of Delhi known as Quwal-ul-Islam mosque (power of Islam). Sultan Iltutmish had subsequently beautified it in AD 1213 with a screen pierced by corbelled engrailed arches which appears in this country for the first time.







Baori on the Ajmer-Jaipur Road	Ajmer	The baori is simple in construction with an almost square tank (5.60 m x 5.00 m) at the northern end, which is approached by a 3.20 m wide stepped passage from the south. The western face of the tank has two pillars with intricate carvings of vase-and-foliage motifs, which may represent remains of some ancient temple in the nearby area. Other sculptures which are fixed in the passage walls include Ganesa, Vishnu and other deities. The baori is datable to 17th century AD.







Badshahi Haveli	Ajmer	Built under the order of the Akbar, this Haveli has a pillared hall surrounded by a double colourande with wide bracket capitals and a room on a all four corners. It is rectangular in shape and has its entrance through eastern verandah. The pillars, brackets and chhajjas of this building are almost similar to those of the audience hall in the magazine. It was refurbished and converted by one of Akbar’s Amirs for his residence.
Saheli Bazar Buildings in Daulat Bagh	Ajmer	It is a three-sided cellar complex which has access from the Daulatbagh side. The cells are small in size and have a narrow verandah in front. The construction material used was stone rubble and lakhauri brick in lime mortar with lime plaster.
Mahal Badshahi	Pushkar	This is a small structure with two identical pavilions of red sandstone standing on a raised plinth built by the Mughal emperor Jahangir in A.D. 1615. A Persian inscription in Nastaliq characters over the door of the northern pavilion indicates the date of the structure.



Bhandasar Jain Temple	Bikaner	The Bhandasar Jaina temple dedicated to Sumatinath, consists of a garbhagriha, an antarala, a mahamandapa and an ardhamandapa. The sanctum is pancharatha on plan which is crowned by a lofty sikhara having karina-amalakas and an amalaka at the top. The interior walls and pillars of the sanctum and mandapa is extensively painted, are late of origin. Stylistically, the temple is assignable to circa twelfth century A.D.







Jain Temple of Susani Goddess	Morkhana	The temple is dedicated to goddess Susani, the Kuladevi of the Suranas, a gotra of the mahajanas. The temple is built on a high platform and consists of a sanctum cella, enshrining an image of the goddess, open hall and frontal porch. It is built of Jaisalmer stone. An inscription of A.D. 1172 attests to the antiquity of the enshrined deity, though the existing temple is later.
Mahakal temples	Bijolia	The ancient site of Bijolian (Vindhyavali) assumed importance as a holy place for the Jainas and Saivas. Of the two rock inscriptions, the one dated V.S. 1226 belonging to the Chahamanas records the genealogy of the Chahamanas upto the coronation of Somesvara and mentions names of several Brahmanical temples, then existing in Vindhyavali and neighbouring places. One of these temples was that of Mahakala.
Rock Inscriptions (12th century)	Bijolia	The ancient site of Bijolian (Vindhyavali) assumed importance as a holy place for the Jainas and Saivas. Of the two rock inscriptions, the one dated V.S. 1226 belonging to the Chahamanas records the genealogy of the Chahamanas upto the coronation of Somesvara and mentions names of several Brahmanical temples, then existing in Vindhyavali and neighbouring places. One of these temples was that of Mahakala
Wall Paintings of Hardoti School in the palace	Bundi	Explained in schools of paintings





Ghateshwar Temple	Badoli	Pratihara style of temples of the tenth century A.D. Of these temples, four are dedicated to Siva, two to Mahishamardini Durga and one each to Vishnu, Trimurti and Ganesa. Three temples, respectively dedicated to Siva as Ghatesvara, Mahishamardini and Trimurti have preserved their stately single spired nagara sikharas, two have partly preserved sikharas, clustered by anga-sikharas, another two have much damaged brick-built sikharas while two shrines have completely lost their superstructures







Mahanal Temple & Math	Menal	Mahanlal Temple and Math in Chittorgarh is dedicated to the Lord Shiva. Built around 11th century, this place became the centre of Shaivism during the reign of Chahamanas. Built in the Bhumija style of architecture with stellate pancharatha ground plan and corresponding superstructure carrying strings of angasikharas, surmounted by a double amalaka, this temple speaks of utter magnificence and spirituality. A visit to this temple is a must while you are on your exploration tour of Chittorgarh.






Somnath Temple	Deo Somnath	Somnath Temple
Buddhist Caves and Pillars	Binnayaga (Dag)	Buddhist Caves and Pillars
Caves of Naranjani etc.	Binnayaga (Dag)	Caves of Naranjani etc.
Buddhist Caves	Hathiagor	Buddhist Caves
Buddhist Caves, Pillars, Idols	Kolvi (Dag)	Buddhist Caves, Pillars, Idols
Old Temples near the Chandrabhaga	Jhalrapatan	Old Temples near the Chandrabhaga
Ancient Mound	Abaneri	Ancient Mound





Baori	Abaneri	Baori





Harsat Mata ka Mandir	Abaneri	Harsat Mata ka Mandir





Banjaron ki Chhatri (containing two pillars similar to railing pillars of Bharhut Stupa)	Lalsot	Banjaron ki Chhatri (containing two pillars similar to railing pillars of Bharhut Stupa)
Sun Temple	Amber	Amber or Amer, anciently known as Ambavati, was the capital of the territory named Dhundara ruled by the Kachhawaha rulers before Jaipur was founded in 1727. Besides, a picturesque palace and fort, Amber is also known for its temples which are dedicated to both Jaina and Hindu pantheons. The famous Sun temple, situated to the west of Amber town on the slope of the hill faces east-southeast. It consists of a square sanctum, a vestibule and pillared mandapa. The sanctum is pancharatha on plan with corbelled ceiling and open pradakshinapatha. The sikhara also follows the sanctum plan. The sukanasa is shown in the form of a hollow square passage. The bhadra niches are empty on all three sides. The mandapa rests on sixteen pillars with a vedi-kunda in the centre and has a flat ceiling. The temple is built of stone and brick and has been repaired in recent times. An inscription on one of the pillars in the front row of the mandapa is dated V.S. 1011 (A.D. 954).
Jama Masjid	Amber	This mosque is built on the usual plan has five arched screen and deep mihrab on the western wall. In front of the mosque there is a courtyard entered through a small gateways from three directions. A Persian inscription to the left side of the central arch states that this mosque was built by the king of Amber, Bharmal by the order of emperor Akbar in A.D. 1569.





Laxmi Narain’s Temple	Amber	The temple consists of a sanctum, vestibule and an open assembly hall and rests on a high platform relieved with deep cells. It was built by Bala Bai, wife of Prithviraj of Kachhawaha dynasty in the first quarter of the sixteenth century A.D. Bala Bai, daughter of Rao Loon Karan of Bikaner, was a great devotee of lord Krishna.





Sri Jagat Siromani ji temple	Amber	The temple was built by Sringar Devi Kankawat, mother of Jagat Singh. The building includes an exquisitely carved marble torana, a Garuda chhatri and a high temple dedicated to Radha-Krishna. Facing west, temple consists of sanctum, vestibule and mandapa, it stands on high orinate pitha followed by vedibandha and jangha. The square sanctum is crowned by sikhara. The pillared mandapa has lacteral trancepts with vaulted ceiling bear the paintings. The construction was started in A.D. 1599 and completed in A.D. 1608.





Pundrik ji-ki-Haveli Paintings in a room	Brahmpuri	Ratnakar Pundrikji-ki-Haveli at Brahmpuri in Jaipur city, popularly known as Pundrikji-ki-Haveli, was built by Maharaja Sawai Jai Singh founder of Jaipur during the eighteenth century A.D. Ratnakar Pundrikji was royal purohit of Maharaja Sawai Jai Singh, he was also a great scholar of astrology and tantra. His original name was Ratnakar Bhatt. Originally belonging to Maharashtra, he had come to Kashi (Varanasi) for advanced studies in astrology and tantra. At this place, Maharaja Sawai Jai Singh met him and was impressed by his expertise and astounding knowledge. Sawai Jai Singh then brought him from Kashi to Jaipur and made him royal purohit, giving title of ‘Pundrik’. Pundrikji-ki-Haveli is famous for having Jaipur school of mural paintings belonging to mid eighteenth century A.D. These paintings depict scenes of royal court, celebration of Holi, Gangaur and other festivals, royal processions and army movements from palaces.
Yupa Pillars	Badwa	The inscribed stone is a sacrificial pillar, commemorating revival of the rituals during third century A.D. by the Malava Republic. The inscription records the erection of the pillar by Ahisarman, son of Dharaka who was Agnihotri. Ahisarman seems to be a Malava chief.
Mand Kila Tal Inscription	Nagar	Mandkila Tal, locally known as Manikila Talav is situated near the ancient mound of Nagar, which was the capital site of the Malava Republic. The Mandkila Tal inscription dated V.S. 1043 (A.D. 987) reveals that prosperity of Nagar which was anciently known as Malava-nagara, continued up to the tenth century A.D. The first Vishnu temple, according to the inscription, was built by Nagahari, a rich merchant of the Dharkat caste, on the bank of a tank known as Vaidya-tadaga. The inscription was issued by Nandana, fourth in descent from Nagahari, who either built a new temple or refurbished the old one and enshrined therein images of the gods Vishnu, Harihara and Surya, who are invoked in the initial verses. The poet who composed this orinate inscription is high flown Sanskrit verses is stated to be a descendent of the famous author Bana, court poet of king Harshavardhana (early seventh Century A.D.). The existing temple is a modern structure enshrining old images.
Yupa Pillars in Bichpuria Temple	Nagar	The inscribed stone is a sacrificial pillar, commemorating revival of the rituals during third century A.D. by the Malava Republic. The inscription records the erection of the pillar by Ahisarman, son of Dharaka who was Agnihotri. Ahisarman seems to be a Malava chief.
Pipa ji’s Temple	Todarai Singh	Explained in Saints of Rajasthan
Akbar’s Chhatri	Bayana	It was built in honour of Akbar’s visit in A.D. 1601-2 after his conquest of Khandesh. Originally, this chhatri was square on plan with dome-shaped roof resting on four pillars which are now in ruins.

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