RAJPUT ARCHITECTURE OF THE

MEWAR FROM 13TH TO 18 TH CENTURIES

Md. Salim Zaweed

A number of palaces in Ranthambhor, Chittor, Kumbhalgarh and

Udaipur constructed by various rulers have survived from medieval
times. The Hamir Palace or Pushpak Mahal, Rani Mahal, Hamir
Kachehri and Chhoti Kachehri are the earliest palaces in Ranthambhor
fort, built by Hamir Deo (1283-1301).1 The Padmini Palace in Chittor
was built by Rawal Ratan Singh I (1303 A.D.).2 The reign of Rana
Kumbha (1433-68) saw the addition of Kumbha Palace, Kunwar Pade
ka Mahal in Chittor fort3 and Kumbha Palace in Kumbhalgarh fort.4
The Ratan Singh Palace in Chittor fort was built by Rana Ratan Singh
II (1528-31).5 The accession of Rana Udai Singh II 6 marked a new era
in the history of Mewar. Patta Haveli in Chittor, Pratap Palace in
Kumbhalgarh fort, Moti Mahal in Moti Mungri7 and Sileh Khana, Rai
Angan Chowk, Nav Chowk, Badal Mahal or Zanana Mahal, Lakshmi
Chowks surrounding ranges in Udaipur palace complex8 were built
during his reign. The other buildings of Udaipur palace complex, such
as Ganesh Deodhi, Badi Pol and Amar Mahal and Supari Mahal in
Ranthambhor fort were built under Rana Amar Singh I (1597-1620).9
A large number of structures in Udaipur palace complex were however
constructed during the reign of Rana Karan Singh I (1620-28).10 These
included Chandra Mahal, Dillkhush Mahal, Mor Chowk, Manak Chowk,
Moti Mahal, Ganesh Chowk, Surya Chopad, Sabha Shiromani ka
Darikhana or Assembly Hall, Suraj Pol, Toran Pol, Jag Mandir in
Pichola Lake and the city wall with its gates.11 The Amar Vilas or Badi
Mahal, Darikhana Pol, Nav Chowki Mahal, Bhim Vilas, Tripolia Gate,
on the other hand were added during the reign of Maharana Amar Singh
II (1698-1710).12 Rana Sangram Singh II (1710-34), made major
additions to the palace buildings in the form of Badi Chitrashali, Shiv
Vilas, Chomukha and Sahelion ki Badi. Finally Rana Jagat Singh II
(1734-51), built Jag Niwas in Pichola Lake.13
If one looks at the architectural elements encountered in these
structures at Mewar from a chronological point of view, it appears that
in Ranthambhor fort the Hamir Palace, Rani Mahal and Hamir Kachehri
are the simplest. Red sandstone is the sole material used. Simple
trabeated openings are the general prevalent form. A number of these
trabeated openings are also formed with double square stone pillar-
shafts mounted with triple-tiered brackets decorated with overhanging
circular pendentives. There are not true arches; their function is
 Medieval India 401

performed by extended brackets which are of two types: flat and pointed.
The flat arches are nothing but a rectangular articulation given an arch
form by filling up the two upper corners. At the Hamir Palace they are
in the form of wide flat arches. On the other hand plain pointed arches
are used to embellish not only the Hamir Palace but also Rani Mahal,
Hamir Kachehri and Chhoti Kachehri. Some of the pointed arches are
made more elaborate, their underside or intrados being embellished
with ‘fringe’ of spear-heads. Such is the case at the main entrance of
Rani Mahal. The simple flat arch and pointed arch with spear-heads
are subsequently not repeated.
The pillars of these palaces are generally of two types: simple
square shaft with base or capital and those which are in the form of
slender pillars comprising of square bases and simple winged brackets.
The shafts of these pillars are divided into three or four parts, the lower
most being square, the middle octagonal and the top round. The four
parts comprise square lower with octagonal middle, followed with
twelve-sides and then ultimately octagonal at the top. The brackets
which support the eaves and horizontal beams are again basically of
two types: simple brackets with mouldings and serpentine brackets.
The simple brackets with mouldings, are encountered at the Hamir
Palace, Rani Mahal and Hamir Kachehri, can be divided into three
sub-categories: single tier, three-tiered and those with inverted bell
and lotus. The latter is only used by Hamir Deo. The serpentine brackets
on the other hand are also of various kinds: simple serpentine; serpentine
with two, three, four-tiers; inverted bell at both ends; and serpentine
with inverted lotus flower in the middle. Those with inverted lotus
flower in the middle are not found in later buildings.
The plain wall surfaces of the buildings are provided with niches,
most of which are in the form of rectangular panels. Some are in the
form of pointed, flat-arch, others in the form of ogee and trefoil niches
carved within rectangular articulation. The structures of this period
are covered with either flat roofs or vaults. Among the vaults, those
with or without rib constructed in Hamir Palace are the most popular
form. Two other types of roofings, the wagon roof and vault like a
canopy are found exclusively in Hamir Kachehri.
In terms of surface decoration, among the above mentioned
structures commissioned by Hamir Deo, only Hamir Palace shows the
incorporation of three features: (a) floral carvings surrounding the
entrances, (b) rectangular panels with carvings of floral designs fitted
on the wall and (c) flower head bosses. Beside that very crude form of
stone screen with floral carvings are also encountered in this building.
402 IHC: Proceedings, 73rd Session, 2012
The buildings of Rawal Ratan Singh at Chittor, beside the use of
locally available granite stones are built of random rubble held together
with mortar and mud. The walls are covered with a thick layer of lime
mortar pilaster. The trabeated entrances as well as those with brackets
appear to continue from an earlier time.
Amongst the other architectural elements which now make their
appearance are the pointed arch with mouldings and the ogee arch.
Beside the multi-sided square pillars introduced by Hamir, rectangular
pillars without base and piers, are also found to be employed at Chittor.
This period is also marked by the construction of domes which are
basically of two types: they are either hemispherical or flat oblong
domes. The last type is actually a barrel vault. All these domes are
raised with the help of overlapping pendentives.
The buildings of Rana Kumbha in Chittor and Kumbhalgarh fort,
incorporate several new architectural elements. Stepped arch, pointed
arch with ogee curve at the apex and semi-circular arch with three-
foliations were now employed in construction. The stepped arch and
the semi-circular arch with three-foliations are exclusively constructed
in Kunwar Pade ka Mahal in Chittor and Pagda Pol in Kumbhalgarh.
These two types are never repeated in the later periods. The pillars
constructed in this period are generally of three types: multi-sided,
square pillars with base and capital, as well as piers that appear to
have continued from the reign of Hamir. The multi-sided square pillars
are further sub-categorized into three types: pillar with square,
octagonal followed with twelve faces and then round shaft; pillar with
octagonal and round shaft and pillar with square and octagonal shaft
are encountered in Kumbha Palaces in Chittor and Kumbhalgarh.
The niches appear to have been profusely used to decorate the wall
surfaces of the buildings of Rana Kumbha. Broadly speaking these
niches are in three forms: pointed with ogee curve at the apex, stepped
and in the form of jharoka. Some stepped niches in the structures of
this period are more elaborate, showing ogee curve at the apex. The
octagonal dome and stilted dome are also newly introduced forms in
the Kumbha Palace and Kunwar Pade ka Mahal in Chittor. These domes
are raised with the help of simple pendentives besides overlapping
pendentives of earlier times.
The structures commissioned during this period, also show the
incorporation of a series of new architectural features such as decorative
motifs. The entire outer wall surfaces of Kumbha Palace in Chittor
have beautiful carvings of recessed floral motifs. The surrounding
trabeated entrances and lintel below the parapet are also elaborately
decorated by sculptured bands serving as stringcourses which are used
 Medieval India 403

only by Rana Kumbha. The friezes at the parapet level are the other
mode of decoration. The form of decoration which developed during
this period include paintings which are generally in floral and
geometrical design form, and appear on the domical ceilings of Kunwar
Pade ka Mahal in Chittor and Kumbha Palace at Kumbhalgarh. Further,
the exterior wall surfaces above the lintels have coloured glazed tiles
in navy-blue. As far as the stone screens are concerned, rectangular
blocks are a new architectural element. Rubble held together with
mortar is covered by a thick layer of plaster of lime mortar appear to
continue from earlier times. The other type of material which makes
its appearance is the locally available granite stone.
The Ratan Singh Palace at Chittor, constructed during 1528-31, in
the reign of Rana Ratan Singh II continues most of the architectural
elements encountered under Rana Kumbha, with the addition of very
few new architectural elements. The four-centred Mughal arches now
are for the first time incorporated as an architectural element. The other
elements are hexagonal pillars, domical ceilings with fluted ribs or
eight sides. A hemispherical dome with fluted ribs is also a new feature
which developed during this period. This dome is raised without using
pendentives.
The structures commissioned during the period of Rana Udai Singh
II, show the incorporation of a series of ‘Shahjahani’ architectural
elements. This period appears to be quite rich as far as the types of
arches are concerned. The trabeate entrances and plain pointed as well
as four-centred Mughal arches continue. The new form encountered
during this period is the multi-foliated arch. These are encountered in
most of the structures. These are with four, five, six, seven and eight
foliations. Some of the multi-foliated arches are made more elaborate
with their central portion being made flat.
The multi-sided pillar shafts continue from earlier reign with two
new incorporation, that is square pillars without base and octagonal
pillars. Further, among the brackets, double tiered simple brackets with
mouldings are the new feature as well as round plate-shaped ceiling.
The last type which developed during this period is abandoned by
successive rulers. The other architectural elements continue from the
earlier reign.
In the three or four structures built during the reign of Rana Amar
Singh I (Ganesh Deodhi, Badi Pol, Amar Mahal in Udaipur and Supari
Mahal in Ranthambhor), architectural features include (a) three-centred
arch as well as (b) multi-foliated arch with three foliations.
Rana Karan Singh I (1620-28) during his reign added twelve
structures in the Udaipur palace complex along with city walls with
404 IHC: Proceedings, 73rd Session, 2012
gates. The multi-foliated arches of this period comprise nine foliations.
However, some of those whose central portion is flat and whose side
curves have five foliations. The multi-sided and square pillars continue
as before. The baluster columns which are typical of Shahjahan’s reign
now make an appearance at Udaipur and Dulha Mahal in Ranthambhor
fort. They are of three kinds: six faced, fluted and thin columns with
flutings. Baluster columns with six faces are encountered in Bhim Vilas
developed under the subsequent reign of Rana Amar Singh II. Buildings
constructed in this period, contain five types of niches. The rectangular,
pointed as well as niche in the form of jharoka appear to continue from
earlier phases. The multi-foliated arched niche is a new incorporation
and is of two varieties: simple multi-foliated and with mouldings. The
last sub-category of this period is the semi-circular niche with foliation.
Further, the hemispherical dome with or without fluted ribs as well
as flat oblong dome are continuations. Another style of roofing
constructed as a decorative motif is the curvilinear or bangla roofs
having exaggerated slanting eaves, found only in the rectangular
pavilions of Jag Mandir. But, this feature seems to have been developed
only under Rana Karan Singh I and is not repeated under the successive
reigns. Four-centered Mughal arch squinch is another new architectural
element of this period. As a surface decoration, the exterior wall
surfaces of the structures have carvings of arch and panel articulation.
As far as the stone screens or jalis are concerned, this period again
appears to be quite rich. Broadly speaking these are in three forms:
spider web, floral and with geometrical patterns. The geometrical
designs are in the form of (a) hexagons, (b) octagon with rib, (c) central
star surrounded by hexagon and (d) a central star surrounded by
hexagons within a broader hexagon. These stone screens are fitted in
hanging corridors, balconies, hand railings, windows and arch spans.
The period of Rana Amar Singh II, again shows the continuation
of most of the architectural elements developed under the previous
rulers. As for the arches, the only new incorporations are a multi-foliated
arch with two-foliations and the semi-circular arch. The brackets are
generally provided below the drooping eaves of the buildings of this
period. The double brackets may be an innovation of this period. They
can be basically sub-categorized into two types: those where the upper
portion is in the form of an elephant with a serpentine lower portion.
In the second type the upper portion comprises only an elephant head,
while the lower portion is in the serpentine form. These types of brackets
are exclusively constructed in Badi Mahal.
During the reign of Rana Sangram Singh II, four structures were
built: Badi Chitrashali, Shiv Vilas, Chomukha and Sahelion ki Badi. In
 Medieval India 405

these structures new architectural elements which are encountered are

(a) multi-foliated arch with thirteen foliation (b) arch netting as well
as (c) carvings of wine bottles executed on the stucco as a surface
decoration. To complete the adoption of Mughal layout of structures
developed under Shahjahan, Rana Sangram Singh II incorporated the
four-quartered garden (chaharbagh) in Sahelion ki Badi which was a
pleasure garden.
Thus it appears that from the period of Hamir Deo to Rana Ratan
Singh II, very simple architectural elements were employed in building
construction. Most new developments in the field of architecture took
place during the period of Rana Udai Singh II. This was the period
which was contemporaneous with Humayun and Akbar. From the period
of Rana Karan Singh I to that of Rana Amar Singh II full fledged
borrowings of many of the ‘Mughal’ architectural elements took place.
From the reign of Hamir Deo to that of Rana Sangram Singh II, we
find 27 types of arches, 14 types of pillars, 15 types of brackets, 12
types of niches, 9 types of ceilings, 6 types of roofing as well as 6
types of squinches. It is also noteworthy that in Mewar seven
architectural elements are exclusive to Ranthambhor, five to Chittor,
one to Kumbhalgarh and thirteen to Udaipur city palace complex.

NOTES AND REFERENCES

1. Jagat Pal Singh & et. Al., Inventory of Monuments and Sites of National
Importance, Vol. II, Part I, Jaipur Circle, The Director General, Archaeological
Survey of India, Govt. of India, New Delhi, 2006, PP. 186-87; Chandramani Singh
(ed.), Protected Monuments of Rajasthan, Jawahar Kala Kendra, Jaipur, 2002, pp.
307-8
2. Ibid., p. 94; Huge Davenport, The Trials and Triumphs of the Mewar Kingdom
(Udaipur), Maharana of Mewar Charitable Foundation, Udaipur, 1975, pp. 70-71
3. Adris Banerji, ‘The Saga of Chhittorgarh- A Study’, Journal of Asiatic Society of
Bengal, Vol. XIV, No. 1, The Asiatic Society, Calcutta, 1972, pp. 9-10; Har Bilas
Sarda, Maharana Kumbha: Sovereign, Soldier, Scholar, Vedic Yantralaya, Ajmer,
1932, pp. 137-38; H. B. W. Garrick, Report of a Tour in the Punjab and Rajputana
in 1883-84, Vol. XXIII, Indological Book House, Varanasi, p. 101; Louis Rousselet,
India and Its Native Princess: Travels in Central India and in the Presidencies of
Bombay and Bengal, ed., Lieut. Col. Buckle, Asian Educational Services, New
Delhi, 2005 (reprint), p. 190; Huge Davenport, op. cit., p. 66; Inventory of
Monuments, ASI, p. 89.
4. Har Bilas Sarda, op. cit., pp. 125-133; Rima Hooja, ‘Of Building And Books: The
Theory and Practice of the Architect Mandan’, Marg, Vol. 52, No. 4, June, 2001,
p. 19; K. D. Erskine, Rajputana Gazetteers: The Mewar Residency, Vol. II-A,
Vintage Books, Gurgaon, 1908, p. 116; Inventory of Monuments, ASI, p. 178.
5. Inventory of Monuments, ASI, p. 93.
6. Huge Davenport, op. cit., pp. 53-54.
406 IHC: Proceedings, 73rd Session, 2012
7. Lieut. Col. James Tod, Annals and Antiquities of Rajasthan or The Central and
Western Rajput States of India, Vol. I, Low Price Publications, Delhi, 1993, op.
cit., pp. 340-49; Carol Kramer, Pottery in Rajasthan: Ethno-archaeology in Two
Indian Cities, Smithsonian Institution Press, London, 1997, p. 12; B. D. Agarwal,
Rajasthan District Gazetteers, Udaipur, Publication Branch, Government Central
Press, Jaipur, 1979, pp. 38-49
8. Rajasthan District Gazetteers, Udaipur, pp. 601-608; Herman Goetz, ‘The First
Golden Age of Udaipur: Rajput Art in Mewar during the period of Mughal
Supremacy’, Ars Orientalis, Vol. 2, 1957, pp. 429-35; G. H. R. Tillotson, The
Rajput Palaces (The Development of an Architectural Style, 1450-1750), Oxford
University Press, Delhi, 1987, pp. 88-115.
9. Lieut. Col. James Tod, I, op. cit., p. 409.
10. Shâh Nawâz Khân, Ma’âsiru-l Umarâ (1742-80), ed., Maulvi Abdul Rahim and
Maulvi Mirza Ashraf Ali, Asiatic Society of Bengal, Calcutta, 1890, Vol. II, pp.
201-201; Lieut. Col. James Tod, I, op. cit., pp. 427-28.
11. Huge Davenport, op. cit., p. 43; Jennifer Beth Joffee, Art, Architecture and Politics
in Mewar, 1628-1710, University of Minnesota, July 2005 (Unpublished Thesis),
pp. 59, 61-62, 79-81, 83, 109-10, 127-28, 138.
12. L.P. Mathur, Forts and Strongholds of Rajasthan, Inter-India Publications, New
Delhi, 1989, pp. 102-11.
13. Lieut. Col. James Tod, I, op. cit., pp. 405-406; Fateh Lal Mehta, Handbook of
Meywar and Guide to Its Principal Objects of Interest, Bombay, 1888, pp. 24-27;
Jodh Singh Mehta, Abu to Udaipur, Motilal Banarsidas, Delhi, 1970, p. 147;
Tillotson, op. cit., p. 116.
Medieval India 407

FIGURES