Growth Of Hindu Architecture – History Notes – For W.B.C.S. Examination.
হিন্দু স্থাপত্য বৃদ্ধি – ইতিহাস নোট – WBCS পরীক্ষা।
While the Muslim architecture continued to flourish during the Medieval period the Hindu art also continued to receive patronage at the hands of Hindu princes. The Hindu princes constructed temples, mighty fortresses in the traditional Hindu style.Continue Reading Growth Of Hindu Architecture – History Notes – For W.B.C.S. Examination.
However, they did not pay much attention to the construction of palaces. As a result a number of Hindu schools of architecture flourished in different parts of the country. The distinctive features of the Hindu architecture were narrow pillars of circular section with base and capital, pilasters, courbal brackets, cornice or chhajja, graceful tapering arch, lavish decorative designs and attractive well-proportioned figures.
During the initial period of the Muslim rule in India the Hindu architecture remained immune from the Islamic architectural ideas. However, during the times of the Mughals the Islamic architectural ideas found their way into Hindu architecture. For a fuller understanding of the Hindu architecture during Medieval times it is desirable to make a detailed study of the various monuments of the period.
The most outstanding example of the medieval Hindu architecture is provided by the temples in Orissa. These temples have been divided by Percy Brown into three groups. The first group consists of temples constructed between 750 and 900 A D.
The second group of temples were constructed between 900 and 1100 A D. and the third group of temples were built between 1100 and 1250 A.D. The prominent temples in Orissa include Parasurameswara, Muktewara, Linga Raja temple at Bhubaneswar, Sun temple of Konark, Jagannath temple at Puri etc.
The temple of Parasurameswara consists of a duel, a Jagamohan, and a beehive spire forty four feet high. The Mukteswara temple has a distinct gateway known for its wonderful execution and elegant design. The Linga Raja temple has a spire 180 feet high.
Its structure is conical and beehive-shaped. According to William Curtis, “Bhubaneswar is a perfect example of sculpture conceived as an integral part of architecture; no stone here is left unchiselled—but many other temples are nearly as ornate. The Sun temple of Konark represents the culmination of Orissa architecture.The Sun temple of Konark also known as Black Pagoda is a representation of Surya’s mythical chariot. There are twelve pairs of intricately carved and decorated stone wheels at intervals round the base of the building, the diameter of the wheels being 9 feet 8 inches.
According to A. L Basham, “The shrines of Mount Abu, made of cool white marbles, are covered with the most delicate and ornate carving, especially in the interiors: it is, however rather flaccid and repetitive. In comparison with Bhubaneswar, Konark and Khajuraho, the rich decoration of Mount Abu has a flavour of cold lifelessness. Like Hindu civilization itself, the temple was at once voluptuous and austere, rooted in earth, but aspiring to heaven.”
Another outstanding piece of Hindu architecture during the medieval period is the palace of Raja Man Singh at Gwalior. This palace though quite small (its floor space is only 150 ft. by 120 ft.) is a perfect piece of architecture. The ensembles marked by turrets, copper gilt flat domes raised from the sloping chhajjaa by round bands, and rounded bastions.
Many of the walls have been decorated with a profusion of coloured tiles with representations of ducks, elephants and peacocks in blue, green and gold, while the towers are connected at the top by beautiful jalis. The other prominent piece of architecture at Gwalior– are the temples of Sas-Bahu and Teli-ka Mandir which were constructed in the 11th century.
These temples impress not only by their grand but also by the patiently worked details.
In Mewar, Rana Kumbha built a temple in 1439 A. D. which is square in plan and erected on a lofty basement. This represents the newly acquired love for plain surfaces, as there are no decorations except a’ few horizontally continuous string courses. The pillars of the temple are similar to those of the Jami Masjid of Ahmed Shah.
Another outstanding piece of Hindu architecture is the Kirti Stambha or Jay Stambha at Chittorgarh. It is built partly of grey sand-stone and partly of white marble. It is embellished with beautiful collerings and latrice work. In addition to this two monuments, there are numerous other palaces at Chittorgarh which represents a model of the medieval Hindu architecture.
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