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ARCHITECTURE
Eternal India
encyclopedia
The gateway to the royal palace may be one or two and a draw
bridge shall be provided for crossing the moat. The doors of the gate
shall be secured by double catches. The gateways shall be sur-
rounded by towns with constructions on either side for weapons
The gateway to the royal palace may be one or two and a draw
bridge shall be provided for crossing the moat. The doors of the gate
shall be secured by double catches. The gateways shall be sur-
rounded by towns with constructions on either side for weapons and
guards. The rampart shall have small abutting turrets to ward off
enemies, cylindrical hollow towers in several places both for
strength and for ambush. There shall always be buttresses for the
ramparts to make them strong and impregnable.
Three classes of mansions are described one by one. The
simplest, namely the Bhavana, has no storeys. In the second type,
namely, Harmya, the central hall may be of the same dimensions as
that of the first type or bigger in size. This hall shall be beautified by
ornamental structures and it may have three to five storeys.
In the third or most elaborate building, namely prasada, the
central hall may still be bigger than that of the second and it shall be
surrounded on the sides by smaller buildings of-half the size pro-
vided with doorways and arrangement for drainage, ventilation
between the halls. The upper floors may have by their sides, stor-
ages with flat roofs (Khandaharmya).
The text states that the portico in front of palaces shall gener-
ally be an open hall with dome and pillars or a closed hall with flat
roof. It shall be furnished with cushioned seats, mirrors, hanging
pictures and paintings. The pillars may be either of brickwork or of
wood.
The description of the royal palace complexes given in the
classical Sanskrit literature are very much similar to those de-
scribed in the Vastu texts. It is evident that the ethos of Indian
people were translated in the planning concept by the authors of
Shilpa Shastras. These traditions of palace architecture continued
with small modifications even during the medieval period.
Even the Mughal palaces of the medieval period have Hindu in-
fluences in their planning principles and architectural detailing.
SOME IMPORTANT PALACES
RAJASTHAN
Rajput rulers were great patrons of art and architecture and
their rule saw the zenith of architecture in northern India. Many
treatises on architecture were written on Nagari or north Indian
school of architecture, especially during the rule of Raja Bhoj of
Dhar and Rana Kumbha of Mewar. The art and architecture of
northern India do not bear witness to-the Arab, Persian or any other
influence as generally believed, it is totally Rajput in its concept.
Most of the palaces were built beside lakes, which were often
artificially created. The beauty of the palaces of Amber, Bundi and
Udaipur is greatly enhanced by their being reflected in water.
Ajmer
: Called the Vinay Vilas Mahal this is a new structure of
late 18th c. It houses a museum.
Bharatpur
: The palace, actually three palaces in one, was built by
various Maharajahs.
Bikaner
: Anup Mahal built by Maharaja Surat Singh Lalgarh
palace — magnificent 19th C red sandstone building of graceful
proportions set amidst spacious lawns.
Jaipur
: City palace — former royal residence — is an imposing
blend of traditional Rajasthani and Mughal architecture and
craftsmanship.
Rambagh Palace — Spacious corridors, wide terraces, splendid
reception and banquet rooms is set in large gardens. Now a luxury
hotel.
Kumbalgarh
: Badal Mahal
Amber
: Lake Palace.
Udaipur
: Capital of Sisodia Rajputs, palace built by Rana Udai
Singh, 244 m long X 30.5 m height, on lake Pichola, built in granite
and marble. Imposing octagonal tower surmounted by cupolas
comparable in magnificence to Windsor Palace of the United King-
dom.
Jaisalmer
: Gajvilas — built by Maharawal Gaj Singh in 1884 Mo-
timahal, Badal Vilas, Jawahar vilas.
UTTAR PRADESH
Fetehpur Sikhri
: Panch Mahal is the most complete example of
urban planning during the medieval period.
MADHYA PRADESH
Datia
: Ramji Mandir, Raj Mandir, Jahangiri Mahal.
Chanderi
: Kushak Mahal, Badal Mahal.
Gwalior
: Karan Mandir, Mani Mandir, Gujari Mahal, Vikrama
. Mandir, Kshira Mandir, Jahanrgiri Mandir.
Mandavgarh
: Jahaz Mahal.
Mandu-:
Rani Rupmati's palace , Baj Bahadur's palace, Jahaz Ma-
hal, Hindola Mahal.
SOUTH INDIA
Bijapur
(Kar) : Gagan Mahal
Golconda
(AP) : Rani Mahal
Gingee (TN) : Kalyan Mahal
Mysore
(Karnataka):- Seat of an ancient ruling family, Maharaja's
palace built in Indo-Saracenic style, it is an architectural fantasy.
There is another palace, Jagan Mohan Palace, which now houses
the Sri Chamarajendra Art Gallery.
Padmanabhapuram
(Kerala) : 54 km from Trivandrum, a palace
of elaborate woodwork, it was the ancient seat of the Travancore
rulers. It contains Relics of historical and artistic value. The palace
is enlosed within a fort which covers an area of 6 acres. In the
Ramaswamy Temple adjoining the palace, scenes from the
Ramayana
have been covered in 45 panels.
Madurai
(TN) : The Thirumala Nayak Mahal, built in Saracenic
style, is said to be the most perfect palace in perinsular India.
Chahdragiri
(AP) : The palace built by the Vijayanagar rulers in
the fort of Chandragiri is a notable 17th C example of south Indian
school of building. The lower portion is siolidly constructed of
stone masonry, but upper two stories are of brick strengthened
with a certain amount of wood work. Each storey contains a
pillared hall in the centre.
Kondapally
(AP) : Tanisha Mahal or palace.