Académique Documents
Professionnel Documents
Culture Documents
be C
re ER
pu T
bl
is
h
PART I
TO
ed
AN INTRODUCTION
INDIAN ART
no
tt
ISBN- 978-93-5007-187-8
ALL RIGHTS RESERVED
This book is sold subject to the condition that it shall not, by way
PD 5T MJ
` 120.00
o N
be C
re ER
pu T
bl
is
h
ed
First Edition
September 2012 Asvina 1934
NCERT Campus
Sri Aurobindo Marg
New Delhi 110 016
Phone : 011-26562708
Phone : 080-26725740
Phone : 079-27541446
CWC Campus
Opp. Dhankal Bus Stop
Panihati
Kolkata 700 114
Phone : 033-25530454
CWC Complex
Maligaon
Guwahati 781 021
Phone : 0361-2674869
Publication Team
Head, Publication
Division
: A.K. Srivastava
Chief Production
Officer
: Shiv Kumar
no
tt
watermark
Chief Business
Manager
: Gautam Ganguly
Editorial Assistant
: Mathew John
Production Officer
: V.B. Meshram
Cover
Surender Kumar
Layout
Seema Srivastava
no
tt
o N
be C
re ER
pu T
bl
is
h
ed
FOREWORD
iv
o N
be C
re ER
pu T
bl
is
h
ed
no
tt
New Delhi
September 2012
Director
National Council of Educational
Research and Training
no
tt
o N
be C
re ER
pu T
bl
is
h
ed
PREFACE
vi
no
tt
o N
be C
re ER
pu T
bl
is
h
ed
no
tt
o N
be C
re ER
pu T
bl
is
h
ed
vii
viii
ACKNOWLEDGEMENT
no
tt
o N
be C
re ER
pu T
bl
is
h
ed
Chief Advisor
Ratan Parimoo, Professor and Dean (Retd.), Faculty of Fine
Arts, M.S. University of Baroda
o N
be C
re ER
pu T
bl
is
h
Advisor
Y.S. Alone, Assistant Professor, School of Arts and
Aesthetics, Jawaharlal Nehru University, New Delhi
ed
Members
K.C. Chitrabhanu, Professor of Art History (Retd.),
Government College of Fine Arts, Thiruvananthapuram
no
tt
Member Coordinator
Jyotsna T iwari, Associate Professor, Department of
Education in Arts and Aesthetics, NCERT, New Delhi
ed
o N
be C
re ER
pu T
bl
is
h
Gandhijis Talisman
no
tt
iii
PREFACE
19
27
61
69
103
109
no
tt
GLOSSARY
o N
be C
re ER
pu T
bl
is
h
FOREWORD
ed
CONTENTS
126
ed
o N
be C
re ER
pu T
bl
is
h
no
tt
ed
o N
be C
re ER
pu T
bl
is
h
tt
no
Map showing prehistoric sites
(Outline map not to scale)
o N
be C
re ER
pu T
bl
is
h
ed
PREHISTORIC ROCK
PAINTINGS
tt
no
no
tt
o N
be C
re ER
pu T
bl
is
h
ed
no
tt
o N
be C
re ER
pu T
bl
is
h
ed
o N
be C
re ER
pu T
bl
is
h
ed
no
tt
Chalcolithic Period
Period III covers the Chalcolithic period.
The paintings of this period reveal the
association, contact, and mutual
exchange of requirements of the cave
dwellers of this area with settled
agricultural communities of the Malwa
plains. Many a time Chalcolithic ceramics
and rock paintings bear common motifs,
e.g., cross-hatched squares, lattices.
no
tt
o N
be C
re ER
pu T
bl
is
h
ed
o N
be C
re ER
pu T
bl
is
h
ed
HUNTING SCENE
no
tt
DANCING SCENE
In this picture hand-linked figures in dancing mode are shown. In fact, this is a
recurrent theme. It also recalls the dancing scene from the Lakhudiyar rock
painting found in Uttarakhand.
o N
be C
re ER
pu T
bl
is
h
ed
EXERCISE
no
tt
GH
AF
AN
AN
T
S
I
Peshawar
Srinagar
Manda
Gumla
Rehmandheri
Harappa
Mohenjo-daro
NE
ed
PAKISTAN
Nagar Kathpalon
Dadheri Ropar
Bhagwanpura
Banawali
Hulas
Balu
Kalibangon
Alamgirpur
Siswal
Delhi
o N
be C
re ER
pu T
bl
is
h
Kot diji
PA
L
Chanhu-daro
Kagen-dor
Sokhtakhoh
INDIA
Amri
Karachi
Surkotada
Lothal
Rangpur
Kolkata
Rojdi
Bhagatrav
Daimabad
Mumbai
BAY
OF
tt
Chennai
no
Ancient cities
BENGAL
Modern towns
Sri
Lanka
o N
be C
re ER
pu T
bl
is
h
ed
THE
ARTS OF
INDUS VALLEY
Stone Statues
no
tt
10
ed
no
tt
o N
be C
re ER
pu T
bl
is
h
Bronze casting
techniques of the
same nature are
practised even now
in many parts of the
country, having a
continuous
tradition.
A terracotta figurine
11
o N
be C
re ER
pu T
bl
is
h
ed
Terracotta
Terracotta
Seals
no
tt
o N
be C
re ER
pu T
bl
is
h
ed
12
Unicorn seals
no
tt
13
o N
be C
re ER
pu T
bl
is
h
ed
Pottery
no
tt
Perforated pot
Pottery
14
no
tt
o N
be C
re ER
pu T
bl
is
h
ed
ed
o N
be C
re ER
pu T
bl
is
h
15
EXERCISE
2.
3.
4.
5.
no
tt
1.
Terracotta toys
16
DANCING GIRL
o N
be C
re ER
pu T
bl
is
h
ed
BULL
no
tt
17
MALE TORSO
o N
be C
re ER
pu T
bl
is
h
ed
In this red sandstone figure, there are socket holes in the neck
and shoulders for the attachment of head and arms. The frontal
posture of the torso has been consciously adopted. The
shoulders are well baked and the abdomen slightly prominent.
no
tt
MOTHER GODDESS
The mother goddess figures are usually crude standing female
figures adorned with necklaces hanging over prominent breasts
and wearing a loin cloth and a girdle. The fan-shaped head-dress
with a cup-like projection on each side is a distinct decorative
feature of the mother goddess figures of the Indus Valley. The
pellet eyes and beaked nose of the figures are very crude, and the
mouth is indicated by a slit.
ed
o N
be C
re ER
pu T
bl
is
h
tt
no
Map showing Mauryan sites
(Outline map not to scale)
ARTS
o N
be C
re ER
pu T
bl
is
h
ed
OF THE
MAURYAN PERIOD
no
tt
20
o N
be C
re ER
pu T
bl
is
h
ed
no
tt
Yaksha, Parkham
no
tt
o N
be C
re ER
pu T
bl
is
h
ed
21
Elephant, Dhauli
22
no
tt
o N
be C
re ER
pu T
bl
is
h
ed
no
tt
ed
o N
be C
re ER
pu T
bl
is
h
23
24
no
tt
o N
be C
re ER
pu T
bl
is
h
ed
DIDARGUNJ YAKSHINI
o N
be C
re ER
pu T
bl
is
h
ed
25
no
tt
26
no
tt
ed
o N
be C
re ER
pu T
bl
is
h
EXERCISE
1. Do you think that the art of making sculptures in India
began during the Mauryan period?
2. What was the significance of the stupa and how did stupa
architecture develop?
3. Which were the four events in the life of the Buddha which
have been depicted in different forms of Buddhist art? What
did these events symbolise?
4. What are the Jatakas? How do the Jatakas relate to
Buddhism? Find out.
Bharhut
o N
be C
re ER
pu T
bl
is
h
ed
POST-MAURYAN TRENDS IN
INDIAN ART AND ARCHITECTURE
no
tt
Yakshini, Bharhut
28
no
tt
o N
be C
re ER
pu T
bl
is
h
ed
Sanchi
ed
o N
be C
re ER
pu T
bl
is
h
29
Harmika
no
tt
Pradakshina
patha
Vedika
Anda
Medhi
Torana
30
o N
be C
re ER
pu T
bl
is
h
ed
no
tt
ed
no
tt
o N
be C
re ER
pu T
bl
is
h
31
32
Early Temples
o N
be C
re ER
pu T
bl
is
h
ed
no
tt
Chatur Mukhlinga,
Nachna- Kuthara (Inset)
no
tt
ed
o N
be C
re ER
pu T
bl
is
h
33
34
no
tt
o N
be C
re ER
pu T
bl
is
h
ed
Panel, Nagarjunkonda
o N
be C
re ER
pu T
bl
is
h
ed
35
no
tt
36
o N
be C
re ER
pu T
bl
is
h
ed
no
tt
Ajanta
ed
o N
be C
re ER
pu T
bl
is
h
37
no
tt
o N
be C
re ER
pu T
bl
is
h
ed
38
no
tt
the walls. The back wall has the main Buddha shrine.
Shrine images at Ajanta are grand in size. Some of the
vihara caves are unfinished such as Cave Nos. 5, 14, 23
24, 28 and 29. Among the important patrons at Ajanta
were Varahadeva (patron of Cave No. 16), the prime minister
of the Vakataka king, Harishena; Upendragupta (patron of
Cave Nos. 1720) the local king of the region and
feudatory of the Vakataka king, Harishena;
Buddhabhadra (patron of Cave No. 26); and
Mathuradasa (patron of Cave No. 4). Many
paintings have survived in Cave Nos. 1, 2, 16
and 17.
Paintings have a lot of typological variations.
Outward projections are used in the Ajanta
paintings of the fifth century CE. Lines are clearly
defined and are very rhythmic. Body colour gets
merged with the outer line creating the effect of
volume. The figures are heavy like the sculptures
of western India.
The caves of the early phase also have paintings
especially Cave Nos. 9 and 10. Paintings in Cave
No. 10 are an afterthought as is evident from the
plastering over the early inscriptions inside the
cave. On the other hand the paintings in Cave No.
9 are part of the preplanning. They belong to the
first century BCE. The figures are broad with heavy
proportion and arranged in the picture space in a
linear way. Lines are sharp. Colours are limited.
no
tt
ed
o N
be C
re ER
pu T
bl
is
h
39
o N
be C
re ER
pu T
bl
is
h
ed
40
no
tt
Ellora
ed
o N
be C
re ER
pu T
bl
is
h
41
no
tt
42
no
tt
o N
be C
re ER
pu T
bl
is
h
ed
ed
o N
be C
re ER
pu T
bl
is
h
43
no
tt
44
o N
be C
re ER
pu T
bl
is
h
ed
no
tt
ed
o N
be C
re ER
pu T
bl
is
h
45
EXERCISE
tt
no
STUPA-1, SANCHI
ed
o N
be C
re ER
pu T
bl
is
h
tt
no
46
ed
o N
be C
re ER
pu T
bl
is
h
tt
no
48
no
tt
o N
be C
re ER
pu T
bl
is
h
ed
no
tt
ed
o N
be C
re ER
pu T
bl
is
h
49
50
no
tt
o N
be C
re ER
pu T
bl
is
h
ed
no
tt
ed
o N
be C
re ER
pu T
bl
is
h
51
52
no
tt
o N
be C
re ER
pu T
bl
is
h
ed
no
tt
ed
o N
be C
re ER
pu T
bl
is
h
This image of the Buddha from Sarnath belonging to the late fifth
century CE is housed in the site museum at Sarnath. It has been
made in Chunar sandstone. The Buddha is shown seated on a
throne in the padmasana. It represents dhammachackrapravartana
as can be seen from the figures on the throne. The panel below the
throne depicts a chakra (wheel) in the centre and a deer on either
side with his disciples. Thus, it is the representation of the historical
event of dhammachakrapravartana or the preaching of the dhamma.
This Buddha image is a fine example of the Sarnath school of
sculpture. The body is slender and well-proportioned but slightly
elongated. The outlines are delicate, very rhythmic. Folded legs are
expanded in order to create a visual balance in the picture space.
Drapery clings to the body and is transparent to create the effect of
integrated volume. The face is round, the eyes are half-closed, the
lower lip is protruding, and the
roundness of the cheeks has
reduced as compared to the earlier
images from the Kushana Period
at Mathura. The hands are shown
in dhammachakrapravartana
mudra placed just below the chest.
the neck is slightly elongated with
two incised lines indicating folds.
The ushanisha has circular curled
hairs. The aim of the sculptors in ancient India had always been to
represent the Buddha as a great human being who achieved nibbana
(i.e., cessation of anger and hate). The back of the throne is profusely
decorated with different motifs of flowers and creepers placed in a
concentric circle. The central part of the halo is plain without any
decoration. It makes the halo visually impressive. Decoration in halo
and the back of the throne indicates the artisans sensitivity.
Sarnath Buddha images of this period show considerable softness
in the treatment of the surface and volume. Transparent drapery
becomes part of the physical body. Such refinement comes over a
period of time and these features continued in subsequent periods.
There are many other Buddha images in the standing position
from Sarnath having features like transparent drapery, subtle
movement, carved separately and
placed about the memorial stupas
around the Dharmarajika Stupa. These
images are now preserved in the
Sarnath Museum. They are either
single or with the attendant figures of
Boddhisattvas, Padmapani and
Vajrapani.
53
54
no
tt
o N
be C
re ER
pu T
bl
is
h
ed
PADMAPANI BODDHISATTVA
AJANTA CAVE NO. 1
no
tt
ed
o N
be C
re ER
pu T
bl
is
h
55
56
no
tt
o N
be C
re ER
pu T
bl
is
h
ed
no
tt
ed
o N
be C
re ER
pu T
bl
is
h
57
ed
MAHESHMURTI, ELEPHANTA
o N
be C
re ER
pu T
bl
is
h
tt
no
58
ed
o N
be C
re ER
pu T
bl
is
h
tt
no
The image of Maheshmurti at Elephanta dates back to the early
sixth century CE. It is located in the main cave shrine. In the
tradition of western Deccan sculpting it is one of the best
examples of qualitative achievement in sculpting images in rockcut caves. The image is large in size. The central head is the
main Shiva figure whereas the other two visible heads are of
Bhairava and Uma. The central face is in high relief having a
round face, thick lips and heavy eyelids. The lower lip is
prominently protruded showing a very different characteristic.
The all-inclusive aspect of Shiva is exhibited in this sculpture
by soft-modelling, smooth surface and large face. The face of
Shiva-Bhairava is clearly shown in profile in anger with bulging
eye and mustache. The other face showing feminine characters
is of Uma who is the consort of Shiva. One of the shilpa texts
mentions five integrated faces of Shiva and this image, despite
being shown with only three faces, is considered as of the same
variety and the top and back faces are deemed as invisible. Each
face has a different crown as per its iconographic prescription.
This sculpture has been sculpted on the south wall of the cave
along with the sculpture of Ardhanarishwara and the
Gangadhara panel. Elephanta sculptures are known for their
remarkable qualities of surface smoothness, elongation and
rhythmic movement. Their composition is very complex. The
iconographic arrangement of this cave is replicated in Cave No.
29 at Ellora.
OF
INDIA
tt
no
o N
be C
re ER
pu T
bl
is
h
ed
MURAL TRADITIONS
Badami
o N
be C
re ER
pu T
bl
is
h
ed
LATER MURAL
TRADITIONS
no
tt
Queen and
attendants, Badami
62
o N
be C
re ER
pu T
bl
is
h
ed
no
tt
no
tt
ed
o N
be C
re ER
pu T
bl
is
h
63
64
o N
be C
re ER
pu T
bl
is
h
ed
no
tt
no
tt
ed
o N
be C
re ER
pu T
bl
is
h
65
66
o N
be C
re ER
pu T
bl
is
h
ed
no
tt
ed
o N
be C
re ER
pu T
bl
is
h
67
tt
EXERCISE
no
ed
o N
be C
re ER
pu T
bl
is
h
tt
no
Temple architecture in India
(Outline map not to scale)
o N
be C
re ER
pu T
bl
is
h
ed
TEMPLE ARCHITECTURE
AND SCULPTURE
OF THE
HINDU TEMPLE
no
tt
70
ed
o N
be C
re ER
pu T
bl
is
h
Kalasha
Amalaka
no
tt
Shikhara
Garbhagriha
Pitha
Nagara temple
ed
no
tt
o N
be C
re ER
pu T
bl
is
h
71
72
o N
be C
re ER
pu T
bl
is
h
Central India
ed
no
tt
Dashavtara Vishnu
temple, Deogarh,
fifth century CE
ed
o N
be C
re ER
pu T
bl
is
h
73
no
tt
Vishwanatha temple,
Khajuraho
74
no
tt
o N
be C
re ER
pu T
bl
is
h
ed
o N
be C
re ER
pu T
bl
is
h
ed
75
West India
no
tt
76
o N
be C
re ER
pu T
bl
is
h
ed
Eastern Indian temples include those found in the NorthEast, Bengal and Odisha. Each of these three areas
produced distinct types of temples. The history of
architecture in the North-East and Bengal is hard to study
because a number of ancient buildings in those regions
were renovated, and what survives now are later brick or
concrete temples at those sites. It appears that terracotta
was the main medium of construction, and also for
moulding plaques which depicted Buddhist and Hindu
deities in Bengal until the seventh century. A large number
of sculptures have been found in Assam and Bengal which
shows the development of important regional schools in
those regions.
no
tt
no
tt
o N
be C
re ER
pu T
bl
is
h
ed
77
78
o N
be C
re ER
pu T
bl
is
h
ed
no
tt
o N
be C
re ER
pu T
bl
is
h
ed
79
no
tt
80
o N
be C
re ER
pu T
bl
is
h
ed
no
tt
o N
be C
re ER
pu T
bl
is
h
ed
81
THE DRAVIDA
OR
Dravida temple
Shikhara
no
tt
Gopuram
Vimana
Mandapa
Garbhagriha
82
o N
be C
re ER
pu T
bl
is
h
ed
no
tt
Meenakshi temple,
Madurai
Gangaikondacholapuram temple
no
tt
ed
o N
be C
re ER
pu T
bl
is
h
83
84
no
tt
o N
be C
re ER
pu T
bl
is
h
ed
Nandi, Brihadiswara
ed
85
o N
be C
re ER
pu T
bl
is
h
tt
no
o N
be C
re ER
pu T
bl
is
h
ed
86
no
tt
Temple, Badami
ed
no
tt
o N
be C
re ER
pu T
bl
is
h
87
o N
be C
re ER
pu T
bl
is
h
ed
88
Virupaksh temple,
Pattadkal
no
tt
Somnathpuram temple
no
tt
o N
be C
re ER
pu T
bl
is
h
ed
89
Nataraja, Halebid
90
o N
be C
re ER
pu T
bl
is
h
ed
BUDDHIST
AND
no
tt
Nalanda University
no
tt
ed
o N
be C
re ER
pu T
bl
is
h
91
Mahabodhi temple,
Bodhgaya
92
o N
be C
re ER
pu T
bl
is
h
ed
no
tt
Sculptural details,
Nalanda
Excavated site,
Nalanda
ed
no
tt
o N
be C
re ER
pu T
bl
is
h
93
o N
be C
re ER
pu T
bl
is
h
ed
94
no
tt
ed
o N
be C
re ER
pu T
bl
is
h
95
no
tt
ed
o N
be C
re ER
pu T
bl
is
h
tt
no
MAHABALIPURAM
96
ed
o N
be C
re ER
pu T
bl
is
h
tt
no
98
no
tt
o N
be C
re ER
pu T
bl
is
h
ed
no
tt
ed
o N
be C
re ER
pu T
bl
is
h
99
no
ed
o N
be C
re ER
pu T
bl
is
h
tt
ed
o N
be C
re ER
pu T
bl
is
h
tt
no
The temples at Khajuraho are all made of sandstone. They were patronised
by the Chandella dynasty. The Lakshamana temple represents the fullfledged, developed style of temple architecture during the time of the
Chandellas. Its construction was completed by 954, the year as per the
inscription found at the base of the temple, by Yashovarman, the seventh
ruler of the Chandella dynasty. The temple plan is of a panchayana type.
The temple is constructed on a heavy plinth. It consists of an
ardhamandapa (porch), mandapa (porch), the maha mandapa (greater hall)
and the garbhagriha with vimana. Each part has a separate roof rising
backward. All the halls have projected porches on their walls but are not
accessible to visitors. Their use is functional, mainly for light and
ventilation. The outer walls of the garbhagriha and the outer and inner
walls around the circumambulatory path are decorated with sculptures.
The shikhara on the garbhagriha is tall. The Khajuraho temples are also
known for their erotic sculptures. Many erotic sculptures are carved on
the plinth wall. Some erotic sculptures are carved on the actual wall of
the temple. Tier arrangements on the walls provide a very specific space
for the placement of the images. The interior halls are also decorated
profusely. The entrance to the garbhagriha is sculpted with heavy
voluminous pillars and lintels carved with small images as part of the
door decoration. An image of Chaturmukha Vishnu is in the garbhagriha.
There are four shrines in each corner of the temple. There are images of
Vishnu in three shrines and Surya in one, which can be identified by the
central image on the lintel of the shrine-doors. Drapery and ornaments
are given a lot of attention.
102
o N
be C
re ER
pu T
bl
is
h
ed
no
tt
EXERCISE
no
tt
o N
be C
re ER
pu T
bl
is
h
ed
INDIAN BRONZE
SCULPTURE
104
no
tt
o N
be C
re ER
pu T
bl
is
h
ed
ed
o N
be C
re ER
pu T
bl
is
h
105
no
tt
106
o N
be C
re ER
pu T
bl
is
h
ed
no
tt
Ganesh, Kashmir,
seventh century CE
Bronze sculpture,
Himachal Pradesh
o N
be C
re ER
pu T
bl
is
h
ed
107
no
tt
Nataraja
108
o N
be C
re ER
pu T
bl
is
h
ed
no
tt
EXERCISE
8
I
no
tt
o N
be C
re ER
pu T
bl
is
h
ed
SOME ASPECTS OF
INDO-ISLAMIC ARCHITECTURE
110
TYPOLOGIES
OF
STRUCTURES
o N
be C
re ER
pu T
bl
is
h
ed
CATEGORIES OF STYLES
no
tt
111
DECORATIVE FORMS
o N
be C
re ER
pu T
bl
is
h
ed
ARCHITECTURAL INFLUENCES
no
tt
112
o N
be C
re ER
pu T
bl
is
h
FORTS
ed
The walls in all buildings were extremely thick and were largely
constructed of rubble masonary, which was easily available. These
walls were then cased over with chunam or limestone plaster or
dressed stone. An amazing range of stones were utilised for
construction such as quartzite, sandstone, buff, marble, etc.
Polychrome tiles were used to great advantage to finish the walls.
From the beginning of the seventeenth century, bricks were also
used for construction and these imparted greater flexibility to
the structures. In this phase there was more reliance on local
materials.
no
tt
Aerial view,
Daulatabad Fort
o N
be C
re ER
pu T
bl
is
h
ed
113
Gwalior Fort
no
tt
MINARS
Another form of stambha or tower was the minar, a common feature
in the sub-continent. Two most striking minars of medieval times
are the Qutub Minar in Delhi and the Chand Minar at Daulatabad
114
o N
be C
re ER
pu T
bl
is
h
ed
Chand Minar,
Daulatabad
TOMBS
no
tt
Tomb of Itmaduddaula,
Agra
115
o N
be C
re ER
pu T
bl
is
h
ed
SARAIS
no
tt
ed
o N
be C
re ER
pu T
bl
is
h
tt
no
MANDU
116
Hindola Mahal
ed
o N
be C
re ER
pu T
bl
is
h
tt
no
The city of Mandu is located sixty miles from Indore, at an elevation of over 2000
feet and overlooks the Malwa Plateau to the north and the Narmada valley to the
south. Mandus natural defence encouraged consistent habitations by Parmara
Rajputs, Afghans and Mughals. As the capital city of Ghauri Dynasty (14011561)
founded by Hoshang Shah it acquired a lot of fame. Subsequently, Mandu was
associated with the romance of Sultan Baz Bahadur and Rani Rupmati. The
Mughals resorted to it for pleasure during the monsoon season.
Mandu is a typical respresentation of the medieval provincial style of art and
architecture. It was a complex mix of official and residential-cum-pleasure palace,
pavilions, mosques, artificial reservoirs, baolis, embattlements, etc. In spite of the
size or monumentality, the structures were very close to nature, designed in the
style of arched pavilions, light and airy, so that these buildings did not retain
heat. Local stone and marble were used to great advantage. Mandu is a fine example
of architectural adaptation to the environment.
The Royal Enclave located in the city comprised the most complete and romantic
set of buildings, a cluster of palaces and attendant
structures, official and residential, built around two
artificial lakes. The Hindola Mahal looks like a
railway viaduct bridge with its disproportionately
large buttresses supporting the walls. This was the
audience hall of the Sultan and also the place where
he showed himself to his subjects. Batter was used
very effectively to give an impression of swinging
(Hindola) walls.
Jahaaz Mahal is an elegant two-storey shippalace between two reservoirs, with open pavilions,
balconies overhanging the water and a terrace.
Built by Sultan Ghiyasuddin Khilji it was possibly
used as his harem and as the ultimate pleasure
and recreational resort. It had a complex
118
o N
be C
re ER
pu T
bl
is
h
ed
no
tt
119
no
tt
o N
be C
re ER
pu T
bl
is
h
ed
TAJ MAHAL
no
tt
o N
be C
re ER
pu T
bl
is
h
ed
120
no
tt
ed
o N
be C
re ER
pu T
bl
is
h
121
ed
o N
be C
re ER
pu T
bl
is
h
tt
no
GOL GUMBAD
122
ed
o N
be C
re ER
pu T
bl
is
h
tt
no
Whisper Gallery
124
JAMA MASJID
o N
be C
re ER
pu T
bl
is
h
ed
Minaret
Qibla
Maqsur
Screen
Mihrab
no
tt
Aisles
Tank
Colisters
(Liwan)
Main
Entrance
Courtyard
(Sahn)
N
W
E
S
125
o N
be C
re ER
pu T
bl
is
h
1. What do you understand by the term Indo-Islamic or IndoSaracenic architecture? Can you think of another nomenclature?
How did this architecture evolve in India?
2. What types of buildings were added in India in the thirteenth
century?
3. Name four styles of Indo-Islamic architecture.
4. What was the significance of a fort in medieval India? What were
the strategic devices adopted in the construction of forts to confuse
or defeat the enemy?
5. Which forms of secular architecture evolved during medieval
times? What significance did these buildings have in the sociocultural lives of contemporary people?
6. How does Mandu showcase the fact that humans adapt to their
environment?
7. In spite of being unfinished how does Gol Gumbad symbolise the
grandeur and majesty of Indo-Islamic architecture?
8. Which are the places where the dead are buried? How do these
differ from each other?
9. What according to Havell are the fundamental concepts of faith of
a Hindu and a Muslim?
10. Why is the word perfection associated with the Taj Mahal?
ed
EXERCISE
PROJECT
H. The present
location and
status of the
structure.
Have you
visited any
medieval structure
in your locality/
region/country?
Document the
following aspects
of the structure:
no
tt
G. Is it conserved?
Should it be
conserved?
A. Period-RegionPolitical Association
F. Materials used
for construction
of the structure
E. Decorative forms
on the structure
B. Typology of the
structure
Secular/Religious
C. Purpose of
the structure
D. Architectural
forms located
in the structure
126
GLOSSARY
A fine-grained variegated chalcedony, its
colours arranged in stripes, blended in clouds,
or showing moss like forms
Amalaka
Anda
Semi-circular dome
Arabesque
Ardhmandap
Ashtadikpalas
Ayudhas
Weapons
Batter
Bosses
Burin
CE
Calligraphy
Caturasra
Square
Chhatra
Chhatri
Chahar Bagh
Chaitya Arch
no
tt
o N
be C
re ER
pu T
bl
is
h
ed
Agate
Chaitya
Chakra
Wheel
Chamfer
Chert
Chevron Patterning
V- shaped patterns
Corbel
GLOSSARY
A moulded roof-line
Crystal
Dado panel
Dargah
Dhammachakrapravartan
Dravid
o N
be C
re ER
pu T
bl
is
h
Cornice
Dressed stone
Inlay in ceramics
Faience
Gahapati
Garbhgriha
Gopuram
Hamam
Harmika
Imam
tt
Intaglio
ed
127
Jali
no
Jagmohan
Jasper
Jataka
Jati
Caste
128
Keystone
Kos minar
Kuta
Lapis lazuli
Linga
Mahamandapa
Mahaparinibban
Mandap
Hall
Maqbara
Mausoleum or tomb
Mastak
Head
Medallion
Medhi
Cylindrical drum
Mihrab
Mimbar
Mukhlinga
Multiple foliations
Nagara
Naqqar khana
Natyamandapa
tt
o N
be C
re ER
pu T
bl
is
h
ed
Kalash
no
or Rangmandapa
Panchayatana
Pathan architecture
Pendentive
Pietra-dura
GLOSSARY
An object or a work composed of or decorated in
many colours
Pradakshina
Circumambulation
Qibla Liwan
Quartz
Rekhaprasad or
Latina
Rupkar
Artisan
o N
be C
re ER
pu T
bl
is
h
Polychrome
Sabha Mandapa
Assembly hall
Saracenic
Sarai
Shala ayatasara
Elliptical
Shikhar
Shilpa texts
Shilpi
Artisan
Shraman
ed
129
Spandrels
tt
Sovereignty
no
Squinch
Steatite
Stellate
130
Architect
Stupa
Sutradhara
Chief artisan
Suzerainty
Tablet
Terracotta
o N
be C
re ER
pu T
bl
is
h
ed
Sthapati
Torans
Trefoil
Turquoise
Valabhi
Vang
Varna
Vesara
Vihara
Vijanain
Viman
no
tt
Tessellation
Volute
Voussoir
Vritta
Circular
Yakshas/Yakshanis
ed
o N
be C
re ER
pu T
bl
is
h
tt
no
GLOSSARY
131
NOTES
ed
o N
be C
re ER
pu T
bl
is
h
tt
no
NOTES