HISTORY OF ARCHITECTURE

JANTAR MANTAR

SUBMITTED BY:
RIA RANGI
ANUJ CHHIKARAB.ARCH II YEAR A
 ABOUT JANTAR MANTAR
JANTAR MANTAR, JAIPUR WAS THE SECOND AND
MOST SOPHISTICATED OBSERVATORY RAJA JAI
SINGH BUILT.
THE INSTRUMENTS WERE SO BIG AND ACCURATE,
AS THEY WERE BUILT OF STONE, MASONRY AND MARBLE.
THERE ARE 18 INSTRUMENTS IN THE JAIPUR OBSERVATORY.
HE PROCURED LATEST ASTRONOMICAL BOOKS AND
INSTRUMENTS FROM EUROPE.
 SAMRAT YANTRA RASHIVALAYA YANTRA

 FOR MEASURING THE TIME FOR MEASURING THE LONGITUDE AND

ACCURATELY UPTO TWO SECONDS. LATITUDE OF A CELESTIAL OBJECT.
IT IS A BIG SUN DIAL. IT HAS 12 TYPES FOR DIFFERENT ZODIAC
SIGNS.
 CHAKRA YANTRA NARIVALAYA YANTRA

THERE ARE TWO UNITS OF CHAKRA EFFECTIVE TOOL FOR DEMONSTRATING

YANTRA IN JAIPUR. THE PASSAGE OF SUN ACROSS THE
TO MEASURE THE DECLINATION AND HOUR CELESTIAL EQUATOR.
ANGLE OF A CELESTIAL BODY. IT IS AT EACH SITE EXCEPT DELHI.
 YANTRA RAJ KRANTIWRITA YANTRA

USED TO MEASURE TIME. UNFINISHED STRUCTURE AND HAS

LARGEST INSTRUMENT IN THE WORLD TWO CIRCULAR PLATES.
FOR THIS PURPOSE. BOTH THE PLATES HAVE A SCALE WHICH
IS DIVIDED IN DEGREES.
 UNNATASHA YANTRA DAKSHINODAK BHITTI YANTRA

CAN MEASURE ALTITUDE OF AN CELESTIAL USED FOR MEASURING THE DISTANCE OF AN

OBJECT. OBJECT SUCH AS SUN, THE MOON OR A
PLANET.
JAI PRAKASH YANTRA KAPALA YANTRA

THESE ARE BOTH MULTI PURPOSE INSTRUMENTS CONSISTING OF HEMISPERICAL

SURFACE OF CONCAVE SHAPE AND INSCRIBED WIDTH OF A NUMBER OF ARCS.
THESE ARCS INDICATE LOCAL TIME AND THEY MEASURE ASTRONOMICAL
PARAMETER SUCH AS CO-ORDINATES OF CELESTIAL BODY.
 RAM YANTRA

USED TO MEASURE THE AZIMUTH

AND ALTITUDE OF A CELESTIAL
OBJECT SUCH AS SUN.
ARCHITECTURAL FORM
In contrast with the character of the built fabric around the site, the instruments are
distinct sculptural statements with the use of basic geometric forms and being devoid
of any surface ornamentation except for the recurring pointed arches.
A pavilion at the top of the Yantra crowning the highest point of the observatory acts
as a visual focal point, with its traditional architectural elements such as surface stucco
pattern, stone sunshade, typical cupola roof form and pinnacle with, characteristic of
the period, unlike the rest of the site.
 CONSTRUCTION MATERIAL

The construction material of the instruments is essentially stone masonry plastered

with lime. Certain parts of the structures in the observatory are engraved with scales
for measurements and engraved and filled with lead. These are lined and overlain
with araish (fine lime plaster finish) and marble with the intent of providing a level,
smooth surface for accurate astronomical readings. The use of Ashlar stone masonry
in quartzite and surface cladding in red and white quartzite is observed.
The instruments are laid out with an apparent informality which only serves to
enhance the monumental quality of the individual structures with their geometrically
determined lines and bold plastic massing.
The wall surfaces are free from the intricate ornamentation characteristic of the late
Mughal style prevalent in this period. This helps to set off the powerful rhythm of the
voids and the drama of the flights of steps, all creating fascinating patterns of light
and shadow.
Although it is clear that the structures are functional in nature and serve a tech-
nological purpose, the overall composition of forms is especially memorable since it
becomes a configuration of abs tract spaces and interpenetrating solids so close to
the Platonic ideal that it could easily be mistaken for the work of some 20th century
cubist master.
THANKYOU