5.

Architecture as Power
Forts and Sacred Places

Shiva temple at Gangaikondacholapuram Agra Fort

ook at the two pictures above. The one on the Many of these buildings were destroyed by
rulers and their edifices put
own
Lleft was builtby Rajendra Chola in 1015 ce succeeding
earlier works have
to mark his conquest of kingdoms upto the river up instead. However, several
us an idea of the
fort at managed to survive. They give
Ganga. The one on the right is the massive
Agra built by Akbar in the 16th century
CE. The beauty and variety of medieval Indian architecture.)i
two are contrasting examples of medieval Indian

architecture. Yet both also stand testimony to the ARCHITECTURE IN INDIA IN THE
them.
power and glory ofthe great kings who built EARLY MEDIEVAL PERIOD
In this chapter, you will study about the architecture In the centuries following the fall of the Guptas
of medieval India.
around 550 CE, there was a marked increase in the
tombs, number of temples that were built across India. These
Many enduring monuments-palaces, forts,
of
temples and mosques-were built by the rulers temples were built in different styles, in keeping with
medieval India. Architecture was used as a
statement the region they belonged to. Depending on the style
of power. Rulers probably felt that the bigger and of architecture followed, temples are classified as

grander the building, the richer and more powertul belonging to the North Indian or Nagara style, the
have felt
they would be considered. They might also South Indian or Dravidian style and the Deccanni
the need to leave behind some enduring mark of or Vesara style.
to see and wonder
their rule tor future generations A key feature of all the temples was the garbhagriha,
cities with splendid
at. So they often filled their the inner chamber where the idol was placed (see the
constructions to impress others with their power

and wealth.
figure.) This formed the nucleus of the temple, dark
 shikhara

3hine

anta
ere mahe
ardha
mandapa mandapa mandapa

Pradakshina

Layout of a temple
and The northern-style
secluded. where people could
Above the pray in private. multi-layered beehive.(Nagara) shikhara is
Shown here is shaneed like
garbhagriha, the shikhara (or viman4) Temple, Bhubaneshwar.the t
ngara
apered upwards. Temples also had
a
or
prakara, that is, a passageway to pradakshina Most of the best
garbhagriha. The
around go the
in Odisha. Of the
preserved Nagara temples
mandapa, an
supported by pillars, was another assembly
hall open numerous temples are
essential built here from the 7th to that Wer
were
part of the 13th
temples. The mandapa was connected to many be found in centuries
the
are to
and around CEcsc
garbhagriha by the antarala (passage). An city of Bhubaneshwar. the
ardha
mandapa, porch, frequently preceded Temple (1000 CE),
or These include the temp
the mandapa. the Lingai
gara
Rajarani
Mukteshwara Temple. The Sun Temple, and the
The temples
of North India (1238-1264 CE) is perfectly Temple at Konat
a
at

The Nagara-style
covered with
intricately proportioned temple
carved
features. Inside the temples had some
distinctive
a chariot with figures. It resembles
eight giant wheels and four
always square. temple, the
garbhagriha was
horses
appearing to pull it. The prancing
Theshikhara had
around the 12thJagannath Temple
at Puri was built
element-the amalaka, a a
crowning
Above the amalaka was huge stone ribbed disc, century CE.
or the
'water jug. smaller dome, the
a
RAJASTHAN AND AND GUJARAT
lines of the These, kalasa
together with the Several Jain and GUJARAT
shikhara, were curving Hindu
temples were built in
of the
Nagara
the main
style of architecture. characteristics Rajasthan. Of these the
the three in
and 11th
centuries CE, this By the 10th Jodhpur, dedicated to temples at Osian, ncar nearat
become style
well established, theof architecture had Shiva and
and Harihara (a combination ot
in Odisha, Central with finest smooth
Vishnu) stand out for
their
o
of Jain contours. Osian also has elegance
and
India, examples
Rajasthan and Gujarat. large numbe
temples.
Pratihara period Most of these
were built
a

were
wer built in the
(8th-9th centùries CE).
 from the Npgara temples. The main characteristic
here is the double amalaka, one large and another
small,placed pne over another. The kalasa is placed
above the smaller amalaka.

kalasa
double
Vishnu as Vamana, Harihara amalaka
Temple, Osian

Look at the picture of the Vimala Vasahi Temple,

Dilwara, one of hve Jain temples at Mount Abu.

Auilt in the 12th century CE, this is an

example of
some striking architecture
produced by the Jains
around Rajasthan and Gujarat. The 12th century CE Kandariya Mahadeva Temple, Khajuraho
Viav Sthambha at Chittor is an exquisitely carved
The best known examples of this
eight-storey victory pilla style of architecture
are the
temples at Khajuraho. Khajuraho was the
In Gujarat, architecture blossomed under the rule capital of the Chandelas of Bundelkhand, who ruled
ofthe Solankis (early 11th-13th century CE). The from the middle of the 10th the 12th centuries
to
SunTemple at Modhera (1026 CE), though in ruins CE. They were
great temple builders. Of the many
now, is the best example of their architecture. Its they built, around 25 temples still survive. Of these,
temple tank is considered to be one of the most the Kandariya Mahadeva Temple (see figure) is the
beautiful in India. largest. It has a main shikhara of about 30 m with a
cluster of smaller shikharas surrounding it.

The temples of the Deccan

The Rashtrakuas and the Hoysalas had their own
unique styles of temple building. The rock-cut
architecture of the Rashtrakutas is best illustrated
by the Kailashnath Temple at Ellora, which was
sculpted out of a single rock, like the Rathas at
Inside the Vimala Vasahi Temple, Dilwara, Mount Abu--note the Mamallapuram.
delicate and intricate marble carvings.
With the Hoysalas, a marked change in style came.
The temples of Temples were made hexagonal in shape (like a lotus)
Central India and profusely carved, the best example of which is
The Central Indian
temples developed differently the Dwarasamudra Temple at
Halebid
51
 Auikmni)

(temeredit
NVita Jater

Akemth
Terppsfa. Elinr

Gopuram of the Meenakshi Temple,

Mad.

(sculpted from single stone), e.g., the

a

have built at
Mamallapuram. They alsorathas t
structural temples, of whicht
the Shore
of Mamallapuram (built
by Rajasimh lemr
8th century CE) and the nha in
Dwarasamudra Temple, Halebid

Kanchipuram are the best

Kailasanatha lemple
South Indian temples examples
The Cholas built several
The temples ofSouth India followed the Dravidian
and sthambhas hundreds of
(pillars) to
style of architecture. One of the characteristic
victories in battle. Settled commemorate the
features of this style was the vimana, which was
vast resources and a political condiri
a high pyramidal tower with several storeys of great interest in art tetuil
in the creation of wo
diminishing Brihadeshwara Templemagnihcent
size built the
garbhagriha. It
over
temples
Rajaraja Chola (11th centuryThanjavur,
stood on a square base. South Indian temples also at
bult
had gateways or gopurams topped by the kalasa. CE), and the tamp
There were usually two or four entrances to the
at
Gangaikondacholapuram, built by his
Rajendra Chola. The Brihadeshwara templeha
temple-one at each cardinal direction. Some of
the gopurams tallest known vimana (66
tall and
were
elaborately sculpted. m).The inner walsot
They showed figures of gods surrounded temple covered with frescoes, fine sculprures
are

from mythology. by scenes

inscriptions that provide historians with valut
The Tamil information.
kings were great builders,
Pallavas and the Cholas. especially the Chola bronze sculpture is an important ml
The Pallavas of Indian art. The
brought in a exquisitely mouldedfhguro
architecture-rock-cut architecturestyle
newof
temple bronze are known for artistic skill andrehicts
and monoliths The Nataraja, or the figure of the dancingM
was conceived and created for the first time
this period.
during
The rulers of the Vijayanagara
Kingdom (middle
1áth century CE) built
lavishly in their capital,
Viayanagara (Hampi). Richly carved pillars and Nataraja-a 10th century CE
Chola bronze depicting Shiva as
rall gopurams are a hallmark of their
temples. the cosmic dancer
The Vitthala Temple (1513 cE) is one of the
most
important temples at Vijayanagara,
D
kalasa
shikhara

vimana

The Vitthala Temple, Hampi-when the pillars of this temple are

struck, diferent musical notes emerge

THE BIRTH OFINDO-1SLAMIC

ARCHITECTURE
Brihadeshwara Temple, Thanjavur. This is one of the few temples
where the vimana is larger than the gopuram. Note that in Northern The coming of Muslim rulers to India saw the
Indian architecture, the shikhara refers to the whole birth of a new style of art and architecture that
part that
rises above the temple's base, whereas in the Dravidian
style, the
be known
shikhara' refers only to the capstone above the vimana. came to the Indo-Islamic style.
as

Indo-Islamic architecture was a blend of the local

Indian style with the slamic style. Since Islamic
art itselt was a
composite of various influences-
Turkish, Afghan, Persian and Arabi-Indo-
Islamic architecture showcased a wide variety of
styles. In Delhi, Islamic infuences dominated,
while in the Deccan, local styles were more
prominent in the buildings. In Bengal, the local
practice of using bricks for building continued.
Indo-Islamic architecture also influenced by
was

the fact that the Muslim rulers often had to use

Indian craftsmen, who were trained in the local
styles. Buildings were simple, with symmetrical and
beautiful lines. They now featured Islamic elements
Frescoes on the walls of the Brihadeshwara Temple
such as arches and domes. Islam discourages the

53
 also
built. several outstan
rulers
much The Muslim buildings like rhthe idgah
depiction of human figures in art. Therefore, tombs, and
minor
religious

of Islamic art consists of geometric designs, Horal

is the art of
patterns and calligraphy. Calligraphy the buila
beautiful writing. lt was developed into a fine art
appearance of ildings
Theoverall medieval period Was m ti
early But inside the
by Islamic artists. who used it to copy out portions ofthep r o f u s i o n of sculpture.

temples it
of the Quran. with a
Structure,
especially
decorations
inside

nd sculptures
and:
was
The
Some of the earliest buildings built by the Muslims dark.
often and |lars
pillars showed enes
ceilings
in India were their places of worship, or mosques the walls, and gods
mythology

India. A mosque has a from architer-

These shapes were new to a s Muslim
contrast to this
sibn, an open rectangular courtyard at the
centre, In
Buildings-palaces, mosques, were
with he buildings
surrounded by a liwan, a pillared cloister
massive
but spacious. were
stands at The i ner courtyard of
several entrances. A domed prayer hall
sculptures.
devoid of was well lit and

the western end of the courtyard. At the back

of the or
mausoleum
airy.
a mosque began to be slowly adopted h
prayer hall is the mihrab (a niche)
which indicates This feature Calligraphy was used for
the direction of Mecca, for the faithful to face
while Indian architects. first time.
the
decoration for
praying. To the right of the mihrab is the mimbar
There is
(pulpit) for the imam to conduct prayers.
also the minar, a high slender tower, from where
Discover more..
the mu'azzin (priest) calls the faithful to prayer.

Mecca

domed prayer hall

minar

entrance

mimbar

mihrab
iwan

sihn (courtyard)

Plan of a
54 mosque
 d the madrasa. Madrasas are schools or colleges
chat focus on teaching Islanm. Secular buildings
included the mahal, a building for rich people,
and the sarai, the royal palace. The Muslim rulers
l a built scveral beautiful baghs
or gardens. many
of which are still enjoycd by pcople. )L
Islamic architecture in India can be divided into the
Salranate (or the imperial) style, the provincial
style and the Mughal style.
The Sultanate Period
Outbuddin Aibak, in his short rule of four years
built the Quwwat ul Islam Mosque in Delhi and
Dhai Din ka Jhopra in Ajmer. Aibak started the
Qutb Minar but IIrutmish completed it. The Qutb
Minar may have been a victory tower modelled after
the one built at Ghazni by Mahmud of Ghazni.
Ilutmish and later Alauddin Khalji made many
additions to theQuwwat ul Islam complex. To the
west of the mosque is the tomb of lltutmish, which
was built by Iltutmish himself in 1235 CE. The
concept of building huge mausoleums or tombs
was new in India and this tomb was one of the
frst of irs kind. The rather plain exterior conceals
an interior with an interesting a mix of Indian and
Islamic designs-the lotus and the whel belonging
The Alai Darwaza
to the Indian tradition and the
intricate geometric
patterns and being Islamic in nature.
calligraphy
By the timec Alauddin Khalji (1296-1316 CE)
came
richer,
to rule, the treasury of the Sultanate was
which is rcflected in his buildings-some of the best
in Islamic architecturc. He built the Alai Darwaza
and the Alai Minar necar the Qutb Minar. The Alai
Darwaza is a magnificent gateway to the Quwwat
ul Islam mosque. It is made of red sandstone with
inlaid marble decorations that display the skill of the
Turkish artisans who worked on it. The Alai Minar
was meant to be a greater tower than the Qutb
Minar, but its construction was abandoned after the
completion of the first storey.
Alauddin Khalji also built the city of Siri, the
second of the seven cities of Delhi. Not much
remains of this city.
Architecture continued to flourish under the
Tughlaqs. Ghiasuddin Tughlaq built the great
fortress of Tughlaqabad, the third city of Delhi.
He also built a tomb for himself on an island in an
lake here. Muhammad bin Tughlaq built
artihcial
the fourth of Delhi,
city But the
Jahanpanah. ciy
was
destroyed later when he tried to move his capital
to Daulatabad. His successor, Firoz Shah, built at
least four cities, one of which was the fifth city of
Delhi-Firozabad or Firoz Shah Kotla.
NANNNNT AEA
A close-up of the calligraphy carved on the walls of the Qutb Minar
The Mughal Period
The Mughal Period (1526-1707
cE) is justifiably
alled the Golden Age of Muslim architecture in
India. The Mughal style of building was distinctive
compared to carlier Islamic styles. Most of the
Mughal buildings were concentrated in North and
north-west India -in Delhi, Agra, Fatehpur Sikri
and Allahabad.
The first of the Mughal rulers, Babur,
introduced Sher Shah's tomb
the concept of baghs or ornamental
gardens into
India, for example, the Ram Bagh in Agra. kiosks (open booths) of red sandstone. The front is
made of red sandstone with white marble inlay work.
Sher Shah Suri built the P'urana Qila, which
There is a garden in front of the tomb. An
became the sixth city of Delhi (refer to the interesting
map feature of this tomb is the slightly bulbous shape of
on the seven cities of Delhi). Sher Shah's
tomb the central dome. This
at Sasaram in Bihar is an elegantly proportioned shape was more common
in Persia, and was introduced in India for the first
building surrounded by water.
time. At the top is placed the Arab spire and not
Humayuns buildings were mainly built around the Hindu kalasa. This suggests that the architects
Delhi, like the Jamati Masjid and the Mosque might have been brought from Persia. (Look at the
of Isa Khan. He introduced the Persian element pictures on page 58.)
in Indo-Islamic architecture when he returned
power after15 years of Sher Shah's rule.
toAkbar, during his long tenure (1556-1605 CE),
added many buildings to the Mughal legacy. He
Humayun's Tomb was built by his widow during built fortresses at Agra, Lahore and Allahabad. All
the rule of his son Akbar. It is a fine blend of Hindu were made of red sandstone with marble
inlay work.
and Islamic architecture. It has a large central dome The use of red sandstone became the
signature style
of white marble with four octagonal towers and of Akbars architecture. Akbar's main achievement
however was the construction of Fatehpur Sikri,
his capital near Agra. The city of red sandstone
new
Entrance to the Purana Qila, Delhi Buland Darwaza, Fatehpur Sikri
57
 Sources of History
Muslims to Indian architecte
But
What changesthedo shape,
tbe dome
were important contributions ofthe these pictures. Wha
look a t
7 e anhand nnderuent changes.NVow take a
andproportion ofrhe dome
domes*
yousee
be shape
and sise of the
1.Pre-Mughal dome: Alai Darwaza (the dome is flattish and 2. Early Mughal dome: Humayun's Tomb (the dome is an alm
less than a hemisphere) perfect hemisphere) most a
ENRICHMENT ACTIVITY
Do a
project on the changing nature of
Islamic architectture in lndia. Focus
Indo.
on thne
changing shape of the dome, the materials
used to build the monuments and the
way the
buildings were decorated.
3. The Taj Mahal's dome: (the dome is almost like a lotus bud)
had palaces, houses, offices and religious buildings. Persian. But thekiosks on top are Indian in
The Buland Darwaza, a massive gateway to the design
Jama Masjid, dominates Fatehpur Sikri. It was Jahangir (1605-1627 CE) built Akbars mausoleun
built to celebrate Akbar's victory over the Deccan.
in Sikandra, Agra. It is a huge structure raise
near
The huge arched gateway inside a flat frame, is
on a
podium. There are kiosks on each side at t
very
top, but the usual central dome is missing0h
Jahangir loved gardens. He laid down gardens tha
looked like Persian carpets. The gardens at Udaipur
minar
Srinagar and Fatehpur Sikri are among the wel
kiosk
known ones.
Aurangzeb (1658-1707 CE), the last of the Grea
arch
Mughals, was not a prolific builder. The Mou
Masjid in Delhi and the Badshahi Mosque n
re.
Lahore are his main contributions to architectu
After Aurangzeb, the quality of Mughal archireeu
Akbar's Tomb, Sikandra deteriorated.
 SHAH JAHAN: A CASE STUDY
Mughal architecture reached its peak during the reign of Shah Jahan (1628-1698 CE). T ically,
the 30 years of his rule were a period of
interests in art and architecture.
pcacc. This eave Shah Jahan the opportunity to putb
The style ot architecture that Akbar and Jahangir patronised was known for its massive structure, Dut

not so Shah Jahans. His buildings were delicate, clegant and showed
rhe Indian style than earlier times. The domes of his graceful. They less infhuence
buildings were like Persian domes. (ompare
the Taj Mahal to the Alai Darwaza.) Shah Jahan replaced red sandstone, a favourite of Akbar and
Jahangit, wIth hne white marble. He also used extravagant and costly decorations. A distinctive
fcature was a kind ot fhne
inlay work known as parchin kari or pietra dura, in which semi-precious
stones like lapis lazuli, topaz and onyx were embedded in the marble.
Shah Jahan built the Agra Fort, the Taj Mahal and the Moti
Masjid in Agra. He then shifted his capital from Agra to
Delhi and built Shahjahanabad, the seventh city of Delhi, on
the banks of the Yamuna. He also built the Jama Masjid in
Delhi, the largest mosque in the country. At Lahore he built
the Sheesh Mahal and the Khwab Ghar. He also undertook
the building
of severalcanals and gardens)ng
The marble wals of Musamman Burj inside the Agra
The Taj Mahal
Fort, where Shah Jahan spent the last seven years of | The Tai Mahal represents all that is beautiful, delicate
his life under house arrest
and symmetrical against the perfect backdrop of the river
Yamuna. The Taj Mahal was built in memory of Mumtaz
Mahal, the wife of Shah Jahan. Made of glistening white marble, it took 22 years to build (1632-1654
a). The overall design is more Persian than Indian. As you have seen earlier, it was modelled on
Humayun's Tomb but with many refinements. The whole structure is square in shape, placed on a
high platform. The central dome is bulbous. At four corners
of the dome are small kiosks. These are believed to reflect an
Indian influence. On the four corners of the platform, slim
minarets are placed in striking contrast to the massive central
dome. The walls are covered with pietra dura and calligraphy.
Inside the Taj in the central hall lie the cenotaphs of Mumtaz
Mahal and Shah Jahan. The chamber is lit by sunlight hilering
in through marble trelliswork screens. In a simple chamber
below the cenotaphs lie their unadorned graves The Taj Mahal

59
 AD

Inlay work and calligraphy on the walls of the

Close up of the
Taj The cenotaphs of Mumtaz
marble screen Mahal
and Shah Jahan
The Red Fort

The Red Fort, Delhi A close up of the Diwan-i-Khaas inside Red Fort

The Red Fort in Delhi was a

palace-fortress. Inside it were the palaces the Diwan-i-Aam, the Diwan
i-Khaas and the
Rang Mahal. The palaces were delicate and splendid. In the Diwan-i-Khaas, the hl
of private audience, were
beautifully carved marble screens and the ceiling was covered with golder-
decorations. The Rang Mahal, gracefully
proportioned and airy, was equally well decorated. Severa
buildings within the Red Fort were destroyed during the British period. However, the fort continu
to
inspire independent India-every year, on
August 15, the Prime Minister hoists the national
fag
from its ramparts.

The Jama Masjid, Delhi

The Jama Masjid in Delhi is the largest
mosque in the country.
It stands on a massive raised platform. It has three
splendid
gateways and is crowned by three bulbous domes. It has a large
paved sihn that can accommodate thousands for namaz (prayer)
It is profusely engraved with
calligraphy and geometric designs
and has several inlaid panels. The minarets are Persian but
the
overall appearance is a mixture Indian and
of Persian. Marble
and red sandstone are used in
perfect balance. The Jama Masjid, Delhi

60
 Glossary
In In Brief
shikhara: the vimana in
The rulers of medieval
North Indian temples; the India built many magnificent buildings and
stone above the vimana in| places of worship as a mark
of their wealth and
South Indian temples The
temples of North India are known for tallpower.shikharas topped
with a
garbbagriha: the innermost structure called the amalaka
Sun and a kalash.
Examples are the
chamber in a
temple; where Temple at Konark and the Jagannath
the main idol is kept The South Indian Temple at Puri.
temples usually have four
ratha: a chariot entrances
with
Claborately sculpted gopurams. An example is the Brihadeshwara
fresco: painting done with Temple, Thanjavur.
Chola bronze
watercolours on wet plaster sculpture are famous for their beaury and skill in
dome: a rounded arched roof making.
The
mibrab: niche in a
a coming of Muslim rulers to India
mosque| architecture. brought Islamic elements to
indicating the direction of
Islamic elements like
prayer domes, arches, calligraphy and geometric
patterns feature in the
pietra dura: inlay work with buildings
of the Delhi Sultans and the
semi-preciOus stones; called|
Mughals.
The Qurb Minar, the
parichin kari in India Alai Darwaza and the fortress of
trelliswork: an open network
are
prominent examples of Sultanate architecture. Tughlaqabad
D The Gol
Gumbaz in Bijapur is
good
style. It features a large dome, infuencedexample
of strips of wood, metal, a of the provincial
or|
stone
The Mughal Period is known as by Persian style.
the Golden Age of
architecture. Red sandstone was Muslim
widely used in this period.
Shah Jahan was an extraordinary builder. His contributions to
architecture include the Taj Mahal
(Agra), the Red Fort and Jama
Masjid (Delhi), and Shalimar Bagh (Lahore). The Taj Mahal is built
with white marble stones.

Exercises hanabao

Fill in the blanks.

i s the only city built by the Mughals.
1. South Indian temples were built in thesan6. Moti Masjid at
an was built by Shah
style Jahan.
2 Khajuraho temples were built by the
Il. True or false?
kings. . Brihadeshwara Temple at Thanjavur was built
3. Kailashnath Temple at odr is a rock-
cut temple.
by Rajendra Chola. F
4. Vitthala Temple is a prominent temple built 2 Calligraphy is the art of ornate (beautiful)
writing.
5. by kings.Uuaa
Among the seven historical cities of Delhi, The construction of Qutb Minar was
completed by Iltutmish.
61
 Answer in detail.
IV
built
Tughlaqabad.
How and why was architecture tte
useda
bin Tughlaq had 1.
Muhammad Bahamani kings of power by the rul of medieva
of the
statement
architecture
The
India?
Tiurkish infucnce.
built by
Distinguish, with the help ofsketches. hes.
was
Delhi
The Moti
Aurangzeb

Masjid in 2.
the temples of
North India and the
of
ber:ween
termples
Central India. Giveexamples.
in brief.
H.
Answer
features of shikhanas What arc the unique of the
features of the South
What are the distinctive 3.
11 Indian (Dravidian) temples?
built in the Nagara
style?
are the
main
characteristics of the
4. Write a paragraph describing the impors
pottan
by the Delhi Sultan
What
India? monuments
built
temples of Central Write a summary on the onuments built
historical cities of Delhi.
List the seven
5.
distinctive elements of Islamic Akbar
Name any four
that Taj Mahal is one of
architecture. 6. Justify the fact the
Indian tradition and world.
Mention the clements of wonders of the
found in the tomb Explain why
Shah Jahan is consideredan
Islamic tradition that are
7.
outstanding builder.
of Itutmish.
Red Fort
6. Describe the salient features of the
in Delhi.
Enrichment Activities
Model making: Make a model of the Taj quillskill.com.
Field trip: Visit a temple and a mosque.
Paint
Mahal with either clay or Play Dough.
Carefully observe and identify the
1.
characteristic features of each that you
Art Work: Calligraphy is the art ofbeautiful
learnt about in this lesson. Make sketches
writing. Write your name, or a quotation,
of the layout of the temple and the mosque.
using this art. You will find several sites on
the Internet from where you can get ideas. Write a report of the trip and illustrate your
Like www.calligraphylady.com and www. observations with your sketches.
Multiple Choice Questions
Why did the rulers of medieval India build C. The rulers were very wealthy and wantea
massive temples, forts and
mosques? (There spend their money in this way.
could be more than one correct
a.
option.)
The architects of the time were dThe rulers might have wanted toleavebenin
unable to something enduring for future generaton
to
build small structures.
bThe rulers seemed to feel remember them by.
that the bigger and 2.
vleof
The distinguishing features of the
grander their architecture, the richer and Nagara-sye
more
powerful they would be considered by architecture were:
others. a. a square
garbhagriha with a towering
gopuram
 b. a square garbhagriha the shikhara
topped by An example of provincial architecture in medieval
the amalaka and the kalasa 7
India is:
C. a squaregarbhagriha, the shikhara
a double amalaka and the kalasa topped by a. the Dakhil Darwaza, Gaur
b. the Gol Gumbaz, Bijapur
d.a square garbhagriha, topped by a high and
pyramidal vimana C. Mandu Fort, Malwa
d. all of the above
3. Which of these temples is an
example of the
Deccani style of architecture? 8. Humayun's tomb was built by:
a. his son Akbar b. Humayun himself
a. the Kandariya Mahadev Temple,
b. the
Khajuraho
Brihadeshwara temple, Thanjavur his widow d. none of the above
9.
9. The
the Dvarasamudra Temple, Halebid distinguishing feature of Akbar's architecture
d. the Vitthala Temple, was:
Hampi the use of red sandstone with marble
4 An example of rock-cut inlay
architecture is: work
athe Shore Temple, Mamallapuram
the Kailasnatha Temple, Kanchipuram b. the extensive use of white marble
C. the use of
c. the Brihadeshwara
Temple, Thanjavur pietra dura or parchin kari
d the rathas at Mamallapuram d. that it showed the influence of the
Persian
5. In amosque, the pulpit from where the style of architecture
imam or 10.
priest conducts prayers, is called Calligraphy is the:
à/the mimbar a. art of inlay work in marble
b. the mihrab
C. the minar d. the liwan bart of beautiful writing
6. The Alai Darwaza near the C. art of miniature painting
Qutb Minar was built d. art of
by drawing geometric designs and floral
a. Qutbuddin Aibak b. lltutmish patternS
Firoz Shah 11. The seventh
c.
Tughlaq d. Alauddin city of Delhi was:
Khalji a.
Tughlaqabad b. Jahanpanah
c. Purana Qila
d.Shahjahanabad
HOTS: Think and Answer
Life Life skills
Why is the invention of the arch
and dome Critical thinking/ Communicative
considered to huge steps forward in the field
be skills
of architecture? Find out and discuss. The Taj Mahal is considered to
be one of the most
beautiful monuments ever built. But
do you think
it is fair
Values that enrich
to
spend so much of resources on a
monument, when there is so much of single
poverty and
Ravi was a
suttering around us?
flower seller stationed outside a Have a debate or discussion
in
Coimbatore. One night, he temple on this in class.
saw faur neanla