Rulers and Buildings: Architectural Developments Between the Eighth and Eighteenth Centuries

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CHAPTER

RULERS AND BUILDINGS

Between the eighth and the eighteenth centuries, kings and their officers built two kinds of structures: the first were forts, palaces and tombs - safe, protected and grandiose places of rest and the second were structures meant for public activity including temples, mosques, tanks, wells, caravan serais and bazaars. Kings were expected to look after their subjects, and by making structures for their use and comfort, rulers hoped to win their praise. Construction activity was also carried out by others including merchants. They built temples, mosques and wells. However, domestic architecture - large mansions (havelis) of merchants - has survived only from the eighteenth century.

Twenty-two point one. Engineering Skills and Construction

Monuments provide an insight into the technologies used for construction. Take something like a roof for example. We can make it by placing wooden beams or a slab of stone across four walls. But the task becomes difficult if we want to make a large room with an elaborate superstructure. This requires more sophisticated skills.

Between the seventh and tenth centuries, architects started adding more rooms, doors and windows to buildings. Roofs, doors and windows were still made by placing a horizontal beam across two vertical columns, a style of architecture called "trabeate" or "corbelled". Between the eighth and thirteenth centuries, the trabeate style was used in the construction of temples, mosques, tombs and buildings attached to large stepped-wells.

Visit some old temples or Masjids near your place and look for examples of trabeate style (style in which the roof is supported by beams placed on pillars).

This style of supporting the roofs required placing pillars near each other and large open halls could not be built. Can you figure out why?

Twenty-two point two. Temple Construction in the Early Eleventh Century

Twenty-two point three. A new way of building

Twenty-two point four. Building Temples, Mosques and Tanks

Government's Gift for Students' Progress

Twenty-two point five. Why were Temples Destroyed?

Twenty two point six. Imperial Style of the Vijayanagara Period

Government's Gift for Students' Progress

Twenty two point seven. Gardens, Tombs and Forts

Government's Gift for Students' Progress

Overview

This work discusses the evolution of building styles and techniques used by kings and architects from the eighth to the eighteenth centuries, focusing on religious and public structures. It details the relationship between architecture, power, and the political landscape of the time.

Key Points

1Kings constructed monumental buildings to enhance their authority and demonstrate devotion
2Architectural styles evolved from trabeate to arcuate, allowing for larger and more complex structures
3Temples and mosques served as symbols of wealth and political power during this period
4Wars often targeted religious buildings, highlighting their importance in societal values
5The Vijayanagara Empire showcased a blend of southern temple styles and Sultanate architectural influences.

Details

Category: Humanities

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