Notes for students for

journal
Provincial
Post mughal

Ar. Mukta latkar-talwalkar

provincial style classified into:-
into:-
• the sind style: 1053-1592
• the punjab style: 1150-1550
• the bengal style: 1300-1550
• the gujurat style: 1300-1550
• the kashmir style: 1346-1586
• the jaunpur style: 1394-1483
• the deccan style: 1347-1687
(bahamanis, bidarshahi, nizamshahi,
qutibshahi, adilshahi)
• the malwa style: 1400-1500
Ar. Mukta latkar-talwalkar
Regions of
provincial
styles
• THE punjab STYLE: 1150-
1550
• THE SIND STYLE: 1053-
1592
• THE BENGAL STYLE:
1300-1550
• THE gujurat STYLE:
1300-1550
• THE KASHMIR STYLE:
1346-1586
• THE JAUNPUR STYLE:
1394-1483
• THE MALWA STYLE: 1400-
1500
• THE deccan STYLE: 1347-
1687
(imadshahi, bidarshahi,
nizamshahi, qutibshahi,
adilshahi)

Ar. Mukta latkar-talwalkar

 the maosoleum of rukni-i-alam at multan
the punjab style:
1150-
1150-1550

•the areas of punjab were

the first to come in contact
with islam.
•two main centers developed
here : lahore and multan.
•multan became one of the
most important cities on the
frontier, in frontline
defence from the mongols.
•at the end of 14th century,
multan like delhi, was
devastated by timur.
•architecture in punjab was
mainly in brick, stone being
almost unobtainable on the
alluvial plain of the five
rivers.
•bricks of top quality, wide
and thin were reinforced
with wooden beams.
buildings were without
arches and with beams and
brackets. to ensure their
greater stability, the walls
were inclined.
Ar. Mukta latkar-talwalkar
the bengal style:
1300-
1300-1550

•Since its damp climate and frequent

floods did not appeal to the majority of
arabs or turks who came from dry
regions, invasions were limited and
eventually it was the converted hindus
who constituted the muslim
aristocracy here.
•The principal construction material
was brick. stone, imported was used for
pillars that supported arches and
domes or for external cladding of
walls.
•Walls were often decorated with
terracotta relief patterns inspired by
the exotic flora of the jungles of the
region.
•For climatic reasons the line of the
begali roof was modelled on the
indegenous bamboo cabin that was
always curved with 2 or 4 slopes.
•Important areas: the capital cities of
gaur and pandua.
Ar. Mukta latkar-talwalkar
the gujurat style:
1300-
1300-1550

•ahmeadabad was founded in 14th

century on ancient hindu city by
ahmadshah. begra or begarha occupied
champanir making it his new capital.
•the art of the sultanate of gujurat
was without doubt the most important
regional style because of the quantity
and richness of the monuments and the
technical ability with which they were
executed.
•for centuries gujurat was the centre
for the most skillful craftmen in all
india, who for generations had passed
on the construction techniques of
countless superb hindu and jain temples
until they were called upon to put their
skill to use for the muslim masters.
•the guajarati islamic art can be
considered the most indigenous of all.
the islamic monuments here are most
beautiful adaptations of or even
reproductions of hindu and jain
temples. Ar. Mukta latkar-talwalkar
the kashmir style:
1346-
1346-1586
•kashmir fell into the islamic
domination when it was seized by
shah mirza swati from hindu raja
sinha deva. his grandson sikander
islamised the country offering
either conversion or exile from
kashmir.

•his brother zian-al-abidin proved

to be the indisputed best sovereign
who unique in islam, allowed those
focecly converted to return to
hinduism.

•the islamic art of kashmir was

influenced by 3 factors, ancient
stone architecture, the
indegenous practice of building in
wood, abundant in the region, and
the architecture of persia and
turkastan predominantly in brick.
Ar. Mukta latkar-talwalkar
 atala mosque at jaunpur: most striking feature
the jaunpur style: is the immense propylon that makes the façade.
1394-
1394-1483

•jaunpur was founded by

firox shah tughlaq, @ 60 kms
north-west of benaras, on
the banks of river gomti on
an ancient hindu site rich
with beautiful temples and
became one of the most
important strategic capital
city of the east.
•probably jaunpur is the
islamic version of the
ancient name yavanpur.
•tughlaq influence is
prominent with a local
interpretation towards
triumphant and monumental
architecture.
•The provincial artistic
expression is also more
energetic and imaginative.

Ar. Mukta latkar-talwalkar

the deccan style:
1347-
1347-1687
•Liberating himself from the tughlaqs, ala-al-
din hasan bahman shah moved to gulbarga,
which was a capital till 1429, transferred to
bidar and finally in 1612 to golkonda.

•In contrast to all other regions in india,

deccani architecture did not exploit any
indegenous models, but created its own
original and independent style which was
influenced more from persia and turkey.

•Many monumnets of the region appear more

iranian.

Ar. Mukta latkar-talwalkar

 Badal mahal darwaja
the malwa style:
1400-
1400-1500
•the malwa style is displayed fully
in the 2 cities of dhar and mandu.

•being a meeeting point between

northern india, gujarat and
deccan, malwa was always open to
various influences. it managed to
amalgamante these influences into
a characteristic style: simple ,
bold, and well proportioned.

•local artist knew how to combine

skillfully the 2 structural
systems: the arch together with
the pillar and the beam. the
principal construction material
was sandstone of pleasing red
colour as also marble.
Ar. Mukta latkar-talwalkar
THE gujurat STYLE:
1300-1550

Ar. Mukta latkar-talwalkar

the gujurat style:
1300-
1300-1550
•ahmeadabad was founded in 14th century on ancient
hindu city by ahmadshah. begra or begarha occupied
champanir making it his new capital.

•the art of the sultanate of gujurat was without doubt

the most important regional style because of the
quantity and richness of the monuments and the
technical ability with which they were executed.

•for centuries gujurat was the centre for the most

skillful craftmen in all india, who for generations had
passed on the construction techniques of countless
superb hindu and jain temples until they were called
upon to put their skill to use for the muslim masters.

•the guajarati islamic art can be considered the most

indigenous of all. the islamic monuments here are most
beautiful adaptations of or even reproductions of
hindu and jain temples.

Ar. Mukta latkar-talwalkar

THE CITY OF AHMEADABAD
Ahmad Shah
Established His New
Capital City Of
Ahmeadabad In
1401 AD On The Site
Of Old Karnawati .
teen darwaja at
ahmedabad
Teen Darwaza is one of the longest as
well as the oldest gateways of the
Ahmedabad city. It was established in the
year 1410 A.D. by Sultan Ahmed Shah,
who founded the city of Ahmedabad.

Sultan Ahmed Shah to infuse the city with

an architectural environment appropriate
to the imperial ceremonials, laid an
processional ‘king’s way’ that connected
the gates of his palace to the northern side
of the grand public mosque.

The entrance to the processional way

had a statetly triumphal arch, the Teen
Darwaza.

Ar. Mukta latkar-talwalkar

JAMI MASJID, AHMEDABAD

COMPLETED IN 1423 AD.

MEASURES 382 FT X 258 FT ( 116 MTS X 79 MTS)

FINEST EXAMPLE OF A SILENT FUSION OF 2 IMPORTANT RELIGIONS TOTALLY CONTRADICTORY IN
THEIR STYLES.

SANCTUARY WITH 300 TALL SLENDER PILLARS.

CENTRAL SHAFT OF SPACE ROOFED BY CORBELLED DOME OVER OCTAGONAL RING OF
COLUMNS FILLED WITH JALIS.

Ar. Mukta latkar-talwalkar

bai hari well,
APPROACHED THROUGH A FIINE DOMED PAVILLION.

18 FT / 5.5 MTS WIDE STEPS DECEND DOWN.

ahmedabad
DECEND OF 4 PILLARED LOGGIAS, ONE REACHES THE 24

FT /7.3SQMT SQUARE CENTRAL SHAFT FROM WHERE ONE
IS LED TO THE WATER LEVEL BY 2 SPIRAL STAIRCASES.

Ar. Mukta latkar-talwalkar

the deccan style:
1347-
1347-1687

Ar. Mukta latkar-talwalkar

the deccan style:
1347-
1347-1687
•Liberating himself from the tughlaqs,
ala-al-din hasan bahman shah moved to
gulbarga, which was a capital till 1429,
transferred to bidar and finally in 1612
to golkonda.

•In contrast to all other regions in india,

deccani architecture did not exploit any
indegenous models, but created its own
original and independent style which was
influenced more from persia and turkey.

•Many monumnets of the region appear

more iranian.

Ar. Mukta latkar-talwalkar

Bahamani Sultanat The Five
(1347-
(1347-1526) Shahi-
Shahi-s
•Allauddin Hasanshah •Adilshahi –
(1347-58)
•(1490-1686)
•Muhammadshah (1358-77)
•Muhammadshah (II) (1378- •Nizamshahi –
98) •(1490-1636)
•Gayasuddin Shamsuddin •Kutbshahi –
(1397-1422)
•Allauddin (1435-57)
•(1512-1687)
•Humayun (1457-63) •Baridshahi –
•Md. Gawan •(1487-1619)
•Muhammadshah (III) (1463- •Imadshahi –
82)
•Md. Gawan Mahamud (1482-
•(1490-1574)
1518)

Ar. Mukta latkar-talwalkar

 madrasa of mahmood
gavan, bidar

THE MONUMENT IS ‘LIKE A PIECE OF PERSIA PLANTED
IN INDIA.’

THE BUILDING PLAN IS OF A TYPICAL PERSIAN
UNIVERSITY WITHOUT SLIGHTEST MODIFICATIONS .

BUILT IN1481 AD, THE BUILDING MEASURES 205 FT X180
FT ( 62MT X55 MT)

THE RECTANGULAR 3 TIER STRUCTURE CONSISTSOF A
SERIES OF LECTURE HALLS, LIBRARY, MOSQUE AND
PROFESSOR AND STUDENT ROOMS ARRANGED AROUND
A OPEN TO SKY CENTRAL COURTYARD.

THE CENTRAL COURTYARD IS 100 SQFT / 30.4 SQMTS.

ENTRANCE FAÇADE ON EAST EMPHASISED BY 2 – 100 FT
HIGHPERSIAN MINARETS ON EITHER SIDE OF THE
GATEWAY.

SEMI OCTAGONAL BASTIONS IN THE MIDDLE OF OTHER
3 SIDES.

FACADES COVERED BY A LAYER OF BRILLIANTLY GLAZED
TILES. Ar. Mukta latkar-talwalkar
 JAMI MASJID –
GULBARGA
•1367 BUILT BY MUHAMMAD SHAH
BAHMANI
•IN AN EXTREMELY ORIGINAL AND DARING
INNOVATION, THE OPEN TO SKY
COURTYARD WAS ABANDONED TO BE
REPLACED BY AN ENTIRELY ROOFED,
DOMED AND PILLAR HALL.
.
•MEASURES 216 FT X 176 FT ( 65.8 MT X 53.6
MT) COVERING AN AREA OF 37916 SQFT /
3523 SQMT ACCOMODATING 5000
WORSHIPPERS .

•FOUR LARGER DOMES MARK THE

ALA UD DIN BAHMAN ESTABLISHED HIS
CORNERS WHILE THE SANCTUARY IS
CAPITAL CITY AT GULBARGA
CROWNED BY A STILTED DOME RISING
SURROUNDING HIS CITY WITH 50 FEET
OVER A SQUARE CLERESTORY, WHHICH
WIDE FORTRESS WALLS AND 90 FEET
SERVED THE FUNCTIONAL PURPOSE OF
WIDE MOAT SCRAPED OUT OF LIVING
ALLOWING LIGHT INTO THE OTHERWISE
ROCK.
ENCLOSED SANCTUARY BELOW Ar. Mukta latkar-talwalkar
 bijapur
•YUSUF ADIL KHAN SET UP THE COURT
AT BIJAPUR AFTER 1481 AD AND
BUILT ONLY THE WALLS OF THE
CITADEL AND A FORTRESS
IRREGULARLY CIRCULAR IN PLAN.

HE HOWEVER INSPIRED HIS

SUCCESSOR TO BUILD BIJAPUR AS A
CITY WITH A PROFUSE DIDPLAY OF
FINE BUILDINGS IN INDIA.

Ar. Mukta latkar-talwalkar

 ibrahim rouza, bijapur
•THE PENCHANT FOR BUILDING
ONEROUS TOMBS TO PERPETUATE
THEIR OWN MEMORY WAS GIVEN ITS
EARLIEST IMPETUS UNDER IBRAHIM II
WHO BUILT HIS OWN BURIAL
COMPLEX IN THE FORM OF A ROUZA.

•THE 115 FT / 35MT SQUARE

STRUCTURE OF THE TOMB AND
MOSQUE STAND AT EITHER END OF
360 FT/ 110 MT LONG AND 15OFT
/46MT WIDE PLATFORM LOCATED IN A
450FT /137MT SQUARE OF GREEN
GRASS.

•THE GRANDEST PART OF THE ENTIRE

SCHEME IS UNDOUBTEDLY THE ROYAL
SEPULCHRE, ABOUT 40FT / 12MT SIDE
SQUARE SURROUNDED BY 2
CONCENTRIC ARCADED
VERANDAHS. Ar. Mukta latkar-talwalkar
golgumbaz, •SULTAN MUHAMMAD (1626AD) THA IN THE
RICHNESS OF THE EMBELLISHMENTS THE IBRAHIM
bijapur ROUZA WAS NOT TO BE OUTCLASSED AND
DECIDED TO BUILD A TOMB FOR HIMSELF THAT
COULD NOT BE OUTDONE IN ITS SHEER
MASSIVENESS AND SIZE.

•HE BUILT A TOMB THAT WAS ROOFED BY A

DOME THAT CAME TO BE RATED AS THE
LARGEST ANYWHERE IN THE WORLD – THE
•THE BARE VITAL MEASUREMENTS OF THE FAMOUS GOL GUMBAZ OF BIJAPUR.
STRUCTURE ARE RATHER STARTLING. •SULTAN MOHAMMAD COMMENCED
•IT IS A SIMPLE SQUARE OF 136FT / CONSTRCUTION IN AD 1656
41.5MT SIDE INSIDE AND 205FT /62.5MT •IMMENSITY OF SIZE WAS THE MAJOR CRITERIA
OUTSIDE. OF CONSTRCUTION.
•THE 4 WALLS ARE 10FT /3MTS THICK AND •THE BUILDING PLAN WAS SIMPLY A SQUARE
110FT/ 33.5MT HIGH. HALL ENCLOSED BY FOUR LOFTY WALLS,
•THE DIAMETER OF THE OCTAGONAL BUTTEESSED BY OCTAGONAL TOWERS AT THE
BUTTRESSESS IS 25FT/ 7.6MT RISING TO A CORNERS AND THE WHOLE SURMOUNTED BY A
HEIGHT OF 150 FT/45.7MT. HEMISPHERICAL DOME.
•THE HEMISPHERICAL DOME IS OF 144FT /
44MT DIAMETER OUTSIDE AND 125FT /
38MT DIAMETER INSIDE, WITH ITS APEX •THE BIJAPUR DOME SPANS THE LARGEST
OVER 200FT / 60.9 MTS FROM GROUND UNINTERUPTED FLOOR SPACE IN THE WORLD,
LEVEL. OF THE ORDER OF MORE THAN 18000 SQFT /
1672 SQMT. Ar. Mukta latkar-talwalkar
 POLITICAL BACKGROUND

The Mughal Empire started declining after Aurangzeb.

Aurangzeb’s intolerant and conservative approach led to unrest amongst the Hindu leaders.

There were uprisings by the Marathas, Rajputs and the Sikhs.

Aurangzeb had to spend most of his time in crushing the revolts.

After his death in 1707, many provinces started declaring independence.

Aurangzeb’s weak and pleasure loving successors could not show effective control over the
uprisings that continued.

The Empire gradually reduced in size to just some region around Delhi.

The Empire also faced external challenges like Nadir Shah and Ahmed Shah Abdali.

The major provincial forces were:

The Marathas

The Rajputs

The Sikhs

The British

Various Nawabs: Oudh, Bengal, Nizam of Hyderabad
GOVIND MAHAL (PALACE) - Rajput
1620

Govind Mahal, a fort palace built by

Bir Singh Deo in Orchha is in the same
style as Jahangir Mahal.

It is a symmetrical square structure,
heavily influenced by the Islamic style.
The unique feature here is the high
building at the centre of the square
inner courtyard that is connected to
the roofs of the surrounding buildings
with bridges.

This creates a vista and space that is
entirely unique. Inside the complex,
encircled by a wall, are traditional
temples and palaces in the western
style, standing side by side.

Ar. Mukta latkar-talwalkar


The Datia Palace was built on top of the Datia hillock in 1614. The Palace consists
of seven levels, two of which are underground and has more than 440 rooms and
several courtyards.

The Palace is made entirely of stones and bricks. It has a ribbed dome over which
is a shikar (spire) with lotus petal design.

The arched openings, brackets and dome is characteristic of the Mughal
architecture, while the lotus petals and use of animal sculpture and avian painting
are symbols of the Rajput architecture.

The blend of the Mughal and Rajput architecture forms a typical feature of the
Bundela style of architecture at the Datia Palace.

Situated on a rocky ridge beside a lake

The structure is conceived as a single unit. Therefore form and decoration are well
integrated.

Arched openings, brackets and domes- Mughal Style.

Lotus petals, animal sculptures, avian paintings- Rajput Style.

5 visible storeys, plus 2 underground storeys.

Underground chambers- for hot weather

Square plan 80mX80m with a domed tower at each corner.

Main entrance- east, South side- lake

Richly painted royal apartments.

Central courtyard connected by double storeyed bridges to the galleries around.

In the 16th century the capital of orchha
Bundelkhand, which was under the
Rajput Bundela family, shifted to
Orchha, 20 km south of Jhansi, on the
banks of the Betwa River.

King Rudra Pratap Singh (1501-31)
chose this place.

Bir Singh Deo, the royal designer

(1605-26) built Chaturbhuja Temple,
Jahangir Palace and Govind Mandir.

On the southern side of the city are
the four-storeyed royal tombs.

Because of their friendship with the

Mughals this was a very important
kingdom. In the 18th century, it was
attacked by the Marathas followed by
the Jats and was finally forfeited in
1788.
Ar. Mukta latkar-talwalkar
CHATURBHUJA TEMPLE JAHANGIRI MAHAL AND RAJ MAHAL
Hindu Rajput
Beginning 17th C 16th-17th C

This is a large building on the far side of the
Raj Mahal and Jahanagiri Mahal are two
river, built by Bir Singh for the Vaishnavites. palaces, on an island surrounded by the

It stands much taller than the Ram Mandir
Betwa River.
palace nearby.

The mandapa (prayer hall) is shaped like a cross
A bridge connects the island to the main
and has a dome on top of an arched entrance land. Construction of the Raj Mahal began
structure and is very Islamic in style, with no in 1554 and was completed in 1591.
sculptures of deities.
This very large palace was built in the

This may be due to the effect of the temples of Rajput style.
Brindavan which is a sacred place for believers of
Bir Singh Deo built Jahangiri Mahal to
Krishna. welcome the Mughal Emperor Jahangir.

It is very Islamic in style with a
symmetrical building surrounding a
courtyard.

The style reminds one of madrassas
(schools).

The whole structure is five storeys high
and has nine domes crowning it. The
palace in Datiya is designed in the same
style but there, the building is in the
centre of the courtyard. Ar. Mukta latkar-talwalkar

Jaisalmer, the capital of the Rajputs since the Middle Ages, is in THE CITY OF
the Thar Desert.
JAISALMER

The buildings with skillfully carved façades are made of honey-
coloured sandstone.

When sunlight falls on the city, the buildings glow golden in the
light, which is why Jaisalmer is referred to as the Golden City.

Maharawal Jaisal of the Bhatti Rajput family, built this fort city
on a hill in 1156. Jaisalmer became a prominent centre in the
trade route across the Thar Desert between India and the West.

Though it was under Hindu rule, it was the Jain traders who
made Jaisalmer prosperous with trade activities. However with
the advent of the British, the growth of maritime trade between
India and the West, ended the overland trade route and
consequently, Jaisalmer’s prosperity.

Buildings and roads have been built surrounding Trikuta hills,

where the fort is located.

In the 18th century, this unplanned city was extended to the
plains below. The city has spread naturally, without a formal
layout. In 1750 the city walls were built.
 HAVELIS: JAISALMER

TOWN AND HAVELIS

Until 1750, it was contained within the

walls of the fort, but as the population
increased, the buildings inside the fort
became multi-storeyed structures.

The façades of the havelis were richly
decorated and carved. Rich Jain
merchants built havelis that competed
with the palaces.

Outside the city walls, is a large man-
made lake, Gadi Sagar, which is the
water source for the city.

Haveli: mansion- house of the rich,
nobility or traders. Spatial organisation
indicates influence of climate and
lifestyle.

Other influences: topography, local
materials and construction methods
HAVELIS: JAISALMER

Rectilinear plans, Most houses,
irrespective of size, form part of well
defined street system- harmonious façade.

Side walls shared. Narrow and deep
houses.

A strong relationship between a house
and a street.

High plinth.

First room facing street- baithak or public
area- transition between the public space
outside the house and private spaces
within.

Male domain. Baithak opened into
another room, beyond which was the
completely shielded central courtyard.

Pillared and covered corridor (baramdah)
around the courtyard on all levels leading
to rooms.
 HAVELIS: JAISALMER

Basement- ‘teh khana’ cool retreat,
storage of valuables.

Security a major determinant in plan.
Staircases narrow and twisted, high risers.

Ornamentation key feature of havelis.

Major unifying element in the somewhat
organic planning of the house.

Owners vied with each other to create
opulent mansions with painted interiors and
ornate stone and woodwork.

Rooms on upper floors: jharokhas
(canopied balconies)

Shielded by carved stone lattice work
(jaalis).

Inhabitants can look out without being
seen.

Jaalis broke force of hot winds. Interiors
kept airy.
•Patwon Haveli , 1805/ Jain

•This beautiful five-storeyed haveli was

built by a Jain, Patwa, for his five sons.
•A part of this 5-storeyed building also
stretches over the road with a gate-type
opening and the facade facing the road is
completely made up of jharokhas.
•Patwon ki Haveli is one of the oldest and
most elaborate havelis of Jaisalmer. It has
exquisitely carved pillars, corridors, and
chambers and is popularly known for its
beautiful jharokhas or balconies.

• The five-storied haveli is categorized into

six apartments. The haveli still has
reminiscences of the beautiful mirror work
and murals painted on its walls.
•The task of construction of the haveli was
undertaken in the early 19th century at the
behest of the family of Ghuman Chand
Patwa (a trader of expensive brocade and
embroidery).
 Nathmal Ki Haveli
Nathumal Haveli, 1885/Hindu
One of the ostentatious and recent havelis
Nathumal was minister to the King. This four- of Jaisalmer to be built in 1885 AD by the
storeyed haveli has courtyards at the front and
architect brothers Lulu and Hathi, Nathmal
ki Haveli has a unique story to tell about its
back and 40 rooms. The front courtyard is a construction.
salon and the back courtyard was the work

The two architect brothers took to left and
place with an entrance for camels. It now right size respectively for constructing the
houses a family of 24. haveli, yet the haveli boasts of striking
symmetry.

Life-size replicas of elephants in yellow
sandstone guard the entrance of the
haveli. The right and left wings of the
haveli are adorned by miniature paintings
of flora, cattle, and horses.

The haveli still stands in excellent
condition and is a major tourist spot of
Jaisalmer.

This building is planned around two
courtyards, the one in the front is much
smaller than the one in the rear.

The front part of the building is three
storeys high and has the main living
quarters. The rear portion is two storey
high and contains the ancillary
accommodation.

On either side of the main courtyard there
is a small apartment built around a narrow
vertical shaft.

Salim Singh ki haveli

Salim Singh ki haveli has been
built on the remains of an older
haveli built in the late 17th
century.

The new building was built in the
year 1815 and was occupied by the
Mehta family of Jaisalmer. They
were the most influential family of
their time.

This haveli was commissioned by
Salim Singh, the then Prime
Minister of the kingdom when
Jaisalmer was the capital.

Ar. Mukta latkar-talwalkar

 JAIPUR CITY

Rajput King jai Singh II (1699-1743) was a scholarly
ruler, a patron of arts, science and architecture.

Modern Jaipur was founded in 1727 by Maharaja
Sawai Jai Singh II. Initial capital was Amber. Shifted the
capital due to increase in population and growing
scarcity of water.

The King consulted several books on architecture and
architects before making the layout of Jaipur.

architectural guidance of Vidyadhar Bhattacharya, the
Chief Architect of Jaipur

classical principles of Vastu Shastra and similar
classical treatises.

The city was divided into nine blocks of 800 m , two of
which contain the state buildings and palaces, with the
remaining seven allotted to the public.

Huge fortification walls, seven strong gates.

In 1876, during the regime of Sawai Ram Singh, the
whole city was painted pink to welcome Edward, Prince
of Wales. Today, avenues remain painted in pink, giving
Jaipur a distinctive appearance.
JAIPUR CITY
•The city is remarkable among pre-modern
Indian cities for the width and regularity of
its streets which are laid out into six
sectors separated by broad streets 34 m
(111 ft) wide.
•The urban quarters are further divided by
networks of gridded streets.
•Five quarters wrap around the east, south,
and west sides of a central palace quarter,
with a sixth quarter immediately to the
east.
By the 17th century, the Kachchwaha Rajput clan became
known for political clout and importance in the Mughal
administration. Raja Man Singh (1590-1614) and Mirza
Raja Jai Singh (1622-1667) contributed to the financial
and cultural wealth of Dhoondhar through political alliance
with Mughals.
Sawai Jai Singh II (1700 – 1743) who outlived five Mughal
emperors and tried to prop up the Mughal Empire from
1707 – (Aurangzeb’s death) to sack of Delhi by Nadir
Shah (1739) established the city of Jaipur and
strengthened the boundaries of Dhoondhar.

Reasons for Maharaja Sawai Jai Singh to change his

capital from Amber to Jaipur:
Military Reasons Geographical Reasons
Defence was an important consideration. A site at the •The rocky terrain of Amber restricted
South of Amber ensured greater distance from Delhi and expansion.
also prevented the expansion of the city in that direction. •Jaipur had the potentialities of
It was clear that the out skirting hill ranges (Nahargarh developing into a city with adequate
hills) shaped as a horseshoe would allow the new city to drinking water due to the presence of a
expand only in the South. So this flat site with a basin like perennial stream nearby and good
shape was chosen. It was an open plain bounded on the drainage system. Its rugged hills also
north-west and east by hills. ensured a constant supply of building
Earlier rajput capitals were established in the hills, and so material, which might be required in the
moving capital to the plains was an ex of Sawan Jai times to come.
Singh's boldness.
•The palace building covered two blocks, the town six
and the remaining ninth block was not usable on account
of steep hills. So this North-West ward was transferred to
the South-East corner of the city, making the shape of
the plan as a whole asymmetrical rather than square.
•The city’s division into nine wards was also in conformity
with the Hindu caste system, which necessitated the
segregation of people belonging to different communities
and ranks.
•Even the lanes were named after the occupations of
inhabitants such as Maniharon ka Rasta, Thatheron ka
Rasta & many others.
•Following the directions of the Hindu Shilpa shastra,
width of the main streets & other lanes were fixed. Thus
the main streets of the city were 111ft. wide, secondary
streets 55 ft. wide & the smaller ones 27ft. wide.
•South of the main road were four almost equal
rectangles. The rectangle opposite the palace has been
broken up into two equal and smaller rectangles by the
Chaura Rasta.Thus altogether there are now five
rectangles on the south of the main road called
Chowkris.
On the North of the main road from West to East are the
Purani Basti, the Palace and Ramchandraji.
The principal bazaar leads from the western gate in the
city wall, The Chandpole, passing in front of the Tripolia
Gate, to the eastern city gate, the Surajpole.