Page 69 - SST Class 07

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Monumental Architecture

Indian monuments are popular worldwide for
their beauty. The monuments are the standing
examples of stretching the horizon of human
imagination and thoughts. The kings and emper-
ors who ruled India had their own way of
expressing their ideas in bricks, marble, stone
and mortars. These monuments are centuries old
and have been examples of philosophies in the
world.
Have you ever wondered why the medieval
Mosque
period is so rich in architecture? There are many
reasons.
Temple architecture of high standard developed in
g Kings built forts, palaces and tombs to
almost all regions during ancient India. The distinct
impress others with their power, position
architectural style of temple construction in different
and wealth.
parts was a result of geographical, climatic, ethnic,
g Kings celebrated their victories in war by racial, historical and linguistic diversities. Ancient
building monuments. Indian temples are classified in three broad types.
g King wanted to demonstrate their devotion This classification is based on different architectural
to God. They did so by building places of styles, employed in the construction of the temples.
worship such as temples and mosques. Three main styles of temple architecture are the
Nagara or the Northern style, the Dravida or the
Southern style and the Vesara or Mixed style. But, at
the same time, there are also some regional styles of
Bengal, Kerala and the Himalayan areas.
One important part of the ancient Indian temples
was their decoration. It is reflected in the multi-
tude details of figured sculpture as well as in the
architectural elements. Another important com-
ponent of Indian temples was the garbhagriha or
the womb chamber, housing the deity of the
Temple
temple. The garbhagriha was provided with a
g Kings wanted to build structures that would circumambulation passage around it. However,
act as markers of grandeur of the era gone there are also many subsidiary shrines within
by; these structures would also enable the temple complexes, more common in the South
future generations to remember their builders. Indian temple.

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