Author: G S Ghurye
Publisher: Popular Prakashan
Year: 1968
Language: English
Pages: 132
ISBN/UPC (if available): 8171544460
Description
A distinctive style of architecture developed in the region of Rajasthan by the eighth century A. D. It blossomed into a magnificient school by eleventh century giving rise to a vigorous activity of constructing a large variety of beautiful temples, under the patronage of Gurjara Pratihara, Paramara and Chandela Kings. The famous temples at Khajuraho bear testimony to the glory of this style. This architectural tradition influenced the structural activity in a vast area from Hardwar in the North to Mehabubnagar in Andhra Pradesh in the South and held its sway till the middle of the nineteenth century. This is an interesting thesis propounded by Dr G S Ghurye in this book.
Dr Ghurye has called this style as Rajput Architecture after the Rajputs who were its greatest patrons. He supports his thesis with a detailed description of the principal characteristics, architectural and symbolic, of this school from the extant specimens. He has also discussed the progressive use made of the canons of the two varieties of Rajput School for constructing civil palatial buildings and semi-sacred mortuary monuments, the Tower of Fame raised by Rana Kumbha being the outstanding example of civil architecture.
The cultural regeneration and advancement accompanying Rajput political resurgence during the fourteenth century was a great impetus to the development of this architectural school. The author particularly emphasises the influence of Syncretism prevailing in this period, on its growth. The book is embellished with more than 100 photographs.
Contents
Jodhpur and Chitod Complex
Khajuraho and Gwalior Complex
Malwa Complex
Rajput Resurgence
Syncretic Complex
Civil and Memorial Architecture
Sacred Architecture-Early Phase
Sacred Architecture-Later Phase