Various Dimensions of Architecture and Crafts in Rajasthan: In the history of human culture, architecture holds an important place. Architecture is a thread that combines the scattered links of centuries to present a real cultural picture of a nation and society. Architecture plays an important role as source for the reconstruction history of pre and proto historical periods as well.
If we take the case of Rajasthan, its geographical location has influenced its architecture. Cities, palaces, ramparts, forts, lakes and cisterns were constructed keeping in view the strength of the buildings along with utility.
Also, check: Rajasthan Current Affairs in Hindi and English
Read more: Rajasthan General Studies | General Knowledge of Rajasthan
Town-Planning and Architecture
There is plenty of evidence that came to light from the excavations at Kalibangan and Saunthi, in Hanumangarh district, that many centuries before the Rigvedic period, planning and architecture of the cities established on the banks of river Saraswati and Drishadvati was of high standards. The houses, roads, drains, round wells, altars etc. made of bricks stand testimony to this fact.
In south-west Rajasthan, Ahar and Gilund were the centers of culture. Windows, doors, verandahs, and open squares gave completeness to the residential buildings and are indicative of a prosperous society. Grindstone, sheets of copper etc. point towards an agrarian-industrial (metallurgy) civilisation at Ahar. During the proto-historical period there existed many cultural centers in Rajasthan – Pushkar, Marudhanva, Jangal, Matsya, Salva, Marukantar etc.
Types of Forts:
On the basis of location, architecture and utility, forts can be classified into various categories. Some important types of forts are as follows:
1. Auduk Durg or water forts are the forts which are surrounded by water, eg. Gagron Fort.
2. Giri Durg or hill fort is situated on High Mountain. Most of the forts of Rajasthan fall under this category.
3. Dhanvan Durg is the fort constructed in the desert, eg. Jaisalmer Fort.
4. Van Durg is the fort built in the dense rugged forest, eg. Siwana Fort.
5. Airan Fort is the fort which is inaccessible due to ditches, thorns and stones, eg. Chittor Fort and Jalore Fort
6. Parikh Durg is the fort which has large ditch around it, for example, Fort of Bharatpur, Junagarh of Bikaner.
7. Paaridh Durg is the forts which are fortified with big walls, like Chittor, Jaisalmer.
8. Sainya Durg is the fort where soldiers who are intelligent in planning and strategy of war live in.
9. Sahay Durg is the fort, where brave and mutually cordial bandhav people reside.
Various Dimensions of Architecture and Crafts PDF Download