Architecture In The Medieval Period

Medieval architecture saw great developments in the field of architecture. During this period, rulers in different parts of India built many enduring monuments, palaces, forts, tombs, temples and mosques. All kings of the period built several famous historical monuments that have historical, architectural, social and religious significance.

Historical monuments are of two broad types: religious monuments and secular monuments. Religious monuments are those buildings that have been built and used for religious purposes; temples, churches, mosques, synagogues, and stupas are religious monuments. Secure monuments are those buildings that are used for any purpose other than religious palaces; forts, residential houses and tanks are examples of secular structures. Each region of India evolved its own art and architectural traditions depending on the local climate, culture and beliefs simultaneously.

During different periods of history, Indian art and architecture were influenced by foreigners like the Greeks, the Romans, the Arabs and the Turks who visited India as traders or invaders. Sometimes a few artisans from foreign lands were specifically invited to participate in the construction of certain important buildings. What do the monuments belonging to different regions and historical periods exhibit?

Shaniwarwada is in Pune and is regarded as a highly sought historical visitation. Shaniwarwada has traditional residential style architecture. This is one of the regions that has evolved into its own art form and the best one at it. Pratap gad is in Madhya Pradesh; it is most famously known for the Pratap gad fort. The Pratap gad fort was built by Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj. Raigad is a city in Maharashtra. It is a hill fort that is in Maharashtra. This Raigad fort was also built by Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj.

We read about art and architectural styles; for example, the palaces and temples of North India are stylistically very different from those in the south, the early medieval period, and the temples and monuments of the late medieval period. 900 to 1300 of Indian architecture are too numerous besides the old centres; new art centres were being patronised by the palace Natalya’s and the Cholas, the Ganga’s and the raj booths. Each Centre developed its own style, and a large number of temples were constructed in north India. During the early medieval period, every king and powerful feudatory built a temple; most of the temples constructed were dedicated to either Lord Vishnu or Shiva.

The style of temple architecture was known as Negara. A good example of this style is the group of temples at Kadhai, which in Madhya Pradesh were built by the chandala rulers, the pashminas temple, the Vishwanath temple and the Khan Darya Mahadev. Temple was constructed in the Nagra style, the temples of Odisha like Mukti Scheuer temple and Linga Raja temple at Boenish were, the sun temple at Konark, and the Jagannath temple at Puri are also illustrative of the negara style.

The Dilwara temples at Mount Abu Rajasthan were built by the rulers of the Solanki dynasty; there are many temples in this complex that are built of white marble. The walls of these temples are covered with intricate designs and exquisite architectural patterns like temples in south India. These temples also became centres of social and cultural life; they collected revenue from villages and took part in business activities. Some of them, such as the Somnath temple, were very rich. South India, the Pallavas, the Pandya’s and the Cholas were the main dynasties of the south.

The Pallavas built the rata temple and the shore temple at Mahabalipuram, and the kalasa not temple at Kochi. The pandas constructed temples in the capital city of Madurai between 850 and 1600. Temple architecture found patronage by the Cholas pandas, Vijay Nagar Kings and the Nagas of Tanjore and Madurai. The great Gorham of the Pandya period are found at Sri Rangam Madurai and Kumbakonam; some of the gopuram were extremely tall and elaborately sculpted; they exhibit figures of gods surrounded by scenes. From mythology, they attain such ample proportions that they draw off the central shrine; the examples of the great pillared mandapa of the Vijay Nagar period are found at CACCI Vijay Nagar, Vellore etc.

Conclusion

Read about historical architecture and its origin. For e.g., there are Vijay Nagar temples. The finest of all Vijay Nagar temples is the Hoba temple, completed in 1565. Its distinguishing features are the pillars, and Manda pass and the stone carved out of stone blocks the Naya cars of Madurai.

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