Snippets of Information
Architecture / Sculptures / Statues
Forts
wikipedia.org
* 10 Apr 2022
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
designated UNESCO World Heritage Site. The six extensive and majestic
hill forts together reflect the elaborate, fortified seats of power of
Rajput princely states that flourished between the 8th and 18th
centuries and their relative political independence.
Within the defensive walls of the forts, the architecture of palaces and
other buildings reflects their role as centres of courtly culture, and
places of patronage for learning arts and music. As well as housing for
the court and military guard, most had extensive urban settlements
within their walls, some of which have persisted to the present day.
Collectively the forts contain extensive water harvesting structures,
many of which are still in use.
Source: whc.unesco.org
* 4 May 2022
Jaisalmer Fort also known as Sonar Quila (Sone Ka Quila) or the
Golden Fort was built in 1156 AD by the Rajput ruler Rawal Jaisal on the
Trikuta Hill and has survived several attacks by the Muslim rulers like
Ala-Uddin-Khilji and Mughal Emperor Humayun.
It is 1,500 ft (460 m) long and 750 ft (230 m) wide and the basement of
the fort has a 15 ft (4.6 m) tall wall forming a double line of defense
in Islamic and Rajput architectural style. The bastions of the fort form
a chain about 30 ft (9.1 m). There are four entrances - Ganesh
Pol, Rang Pol, Bhoota Pol and Hava Pol.
Attractions - Maharawals located in front of the Chauhata Square with
the Maharawal’s marble throne which is placed over a flight of marble
steps, a five-storied Tazia tower constructed by Muslim craftsmen with
decorative Bengali styled roofs, Jawahar Palace, Raj Mahal, The Jain and
the Laxmikanth Temples, several Havelis with decorated windows,
archways, doors, and balconies.
It is a UNESCO World Heritage Site under the group Hill Forts of Rajasthan.
Source: rajasthandirect.com
* 4 May 2022
Amber Fort also popularly known as the Amer Palace, overlooking
the overlooks Maota Lake is located in Amer town, 11 km from Jaipur
fort. It is an old fort, built in 1592 by Raja Man Singh. A perfect
example of Rajasthani architecture, it has influences of both Hindu and
Muslim architecture.
It is an extensive palace complex built with pale yellow and pink
sandstone, and with white marble. The fort is divided into four main
sections that are graced with their own courtyards. There are two
entrances Suraj Pol and Chand Pol. Both these gates open into the Jaleb
Chowk, which is the main courtyard, where in earlier times, returning
armies used to display their plunder to the people. The fort has a
number of sections, including the King’s quarters, the zenana (women's
quarters), gardens, temples, Diwan-e-aam, Sukh Mahal, and the Sheesh
Mahal. Amer Fort is also home to some underground tunnels that connect
Amer to Jaigarh Fort. A part of these tunnels have been restored, and is
now open to public as well. This fort also has the 'Shila Devi' temple
and the 'Ganesh Pol' which is a gate that leads to the private palaces
of the kings.
It is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Source: tourism.rajasthan.gov.in ; jaipur.org.uk
* 15 Apr 2022
Chitradurga Fort is locally known as Elusuttina Kote
(meaning the fort of seven circles) is located 200 kms from Bengaluru
and is one of the country’s strongest hill forts. The fort is originally
said to have had 19 gateways, 38 postern-gates, 35 secret entrances and
4 ‘invisible’ entrances. Many of these have gone out of existence now.
The doors were made of strong and thick wooden beams fastened with iron
plates. The soaring ramparts were designed so that each line of
fortification overlooks others below. Zigzagging pathways slowed down
enemy soldiers and prevented the use of battering rams. The doors of the
main gateways were, in addition, bristling with iron spikes to ward off
elephants.
Chitradurga fort is famed for its sophisticated water harvesting system.
Interconnected reservoirs collected and stored rainwater, which
overflew from each tank flowing into other tanks below it. Such an
effective system ensured that the fort never ran out of water. After
filling all these tanks, the water used to flow to the moats round the
fort-walls.
Temples in Chitradurga Fort: The fort has numerous temples like the
Sampige Siddheshwara, Hidimbeshwara, Ekanathamma, Phalguneshvara,
Gopalakrishna, Anjaneya, Subbaraya and Basava. A big piece of bone has
been kept in the Hidimbeshwara Temple and is shown as the tooth of the
demon Hidambasura, and a cylinder of iron plates, six feet high and ten
feet in circumference, as the bheri or kettle-drum of Bhima. A figure of
Hidambasura is sculptured on the Vimana. In the Siddheshwara Temple
also is kept a piece of bone much larger than that kept in the
Hidimbeshvara temple, which also is believed to be as the tooth of
Hidambasura.
Onake Obavva Kindi: A must-see in this fort is the Onake Obavvana Kindi,
named after a brave woman Obavva. It is connected with the famous
attack of Haidar Ali on Chitradurga. Haidar’s forces were unable to
enter into the fort, in spite of a long siege. They soon found a small
crevice through which they could get into the fort. It was a very narrow
crevice, hardly admitting a human being in a kneeling position. Obavva
hid there and saw the enemy trying to get inside. Displaying remarkable
courage, she grabbed onake (a pestle) and killed each soldier getting
inside.
Source: karnatakatourism.org
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