Architecture of Maharashtra

2022-06-08T07:29:13Z

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[[File:Ajanta cave9 2010.jpg|thumb|Entrance to one of the rock-cut [[Ajanta Caves]].<ref name="Ajanta"/>]]
'''[[Maharashtra]]''' state in India is known for its Famous caves and cliffs. It is said that the varieties found in Maharashtra are wider than the caves and [[rock-cut architecture]] found in the rock cut areas of Egypt, Assyria, Persia and Greece.{{Citation needed|date=August 2019}} The Buddhist monks first started these caves in the 2nd century BC, in search of serene and peaceful environment for meditation, and they found these caves on the hillsides.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://whc.unesco.org/en/list/243/|title=Ellora Caves|last=Centre|first=UNESCO World Heritage|website=UNESCO World Heritage Centre|language=en|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181215122633/http://whc.unesco.org/en/list/243/|archive-date=2018-12-15|url-status=live|access-date=2018-12-19}}</ref><ref name="Ajanta">{{Cite web|url=https://whc.unesco.org/en/list/242/|title=Ajanta Caves|last=Centre|first=UNESCO World Heritage|website=UNESCO World Heritage Centre|language=en|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180201193448/https://whc.unesco.org/en/list/242/|archive-date=2018-02-01|url-status=live|access-date=2018-12-19}}</ref>
[[File:Grishneshwar temple in Aurangabad district.jpg|thumb|The [[Grishneshwar|Grishneshwar Temple]] was restored by [[Ahilyabai Holkar]] in the 18th century]]

Buddhist and Hindu cave temples at [[Ellora]] and the [[Ajanta Caves]] contain fine artistic design elements and India's oldest wall paintings can be seen here. Maharashtra's famous rock-cut caves have several distinct artistic elements though sculptures of the time are regarded to modern viewers as stiff and not dynamic. The Buddhist caves, particularly the older ones, are either temples (Chaityas) or monasteries (Viharas).

==Ancient==
[[File:MansarExcavation5.JPG|thumb|250px|Remains of the Pravareshvara Shiva temple built by Pravarasena II at [[Mansar, India|Mansar]]]]
The oldest building in the state is Vakataka ruins in [[Mansar, India|Mansar]].

==Rock cut caves==

Rock-cut architecture took turn with the Buddhist reign and remarkable Buddhist monuments were produced in areas such as Bihar in the east and Maharashtra in the west. Natural grottos and caves in the hillside were excavated by the Buddhist monks and turned into glorious prayer halls and monasteries.

Ranging from tiny monastic cells to colossal, elaborately carved temples, they are remarkable for having been hewn by hand from solid rock. Their 3rd century BC origins seem to have been as temporary shelters for Buddhist monks when heavy monsoon rains made their normal itinerant lifestyle impossible.

Modeled on earlier wooden structures, most were sponsuoions{{typo help inline|reason=similar to sponsions|date=November 2019}} sit like a sceptre and crown amidst hills turned mauve.

==Medieval==
=== Hindu ===
During the early medieval period, the Maharashtrian region's architecture was largely based on a combination of old and new [[Hindu_temple_architecture#Dravida_and_Nagara_architecture|Nagara styles]]. [[Bhimashankar_Temple|Bhimashankar temple]] is considered to be a unique mix of these two [[Hindu_temple_architecture#Dravida_and_Nagara_architecture|Nagara styles]]. During the late period, Hemadri a court polymath of Yadavas of Deogiri used [[Hemadpanti_architecture|his unique combinational Nagara style]] to create many temples, which were again rebuilt due to numerous Islamic clashes and their penchant for destroying Hindu places of worship. Foremost among these are [[Trimbakeshwar_Shiva_Temple|Trayambakeshwar Temple]], [[Tulja_Bhavani_Temple|Tulja Bhavani temple]], [[Grishneshwar_Temple|Ghrishneshwar temple]] among others.

=== Indo-Islamic ===
{{Further|Indo-Islamic architecture}}
Some structures at the [[Daulatabad Fort]]<ref group="note">The [[Daulatabad Fort]] itself was built by the [[Seuna (Yadava) dynasty|Yadava]] dynasty in the 12th century CE, and the Indo-Islamic structures were added later by the [[Delhi Sultanate]] in the 14th century CE.</ref> is the earliest examples of Indo-Islamic architecture in Maharashtra.{{Sfn|Haig|1907|p=20-56}}

The medieval [[Ahmadnagar Sultanate|Ahmednagar Sultanate]] built the [[Ahmednagar Fort]], [[Tomb of Salabat Khan II]] and Bagh Rauza{{Sfn|Haig|1907|p=56}} in [[Ahmednagar]]. Their style is similar to that of the other [[Deccan sultanates|Deccan Sultanates]].

The best example of [[Mughal architecture]] in Maharashtra is [[Bibi Ka Maqbara|Bibi ka Maqbara]] built by Mughal Emperor [[Aurangzeb]], which is a replica of the [[Taj Mahal]].

=== Maratha ===
The [[Maratha Empire]] ruled between the 17th and 19th centuries. They were constantly at [[Mughal–Maratha Wars|war against the Mughal Empire]]. Therefore, several fortifications were built throughout the area, including [[Shaniwar Wada]], [[Pratapgad]], [[Raigad Fort|Raigad]] and [[Fort Mangad|Mangad]]. [[Shivaji]] built the [[Lal Mahal]] in Pune. During Confederacy era, many of the popular temples were built/revived all over Maharashtra. They reflect a peculiar architectural style regarded as [[Maratha Architecture]].

==Colonial==
[[File:Mumbai 03-2016 31 Gateway of India.jpg|thumb|right|[[Gateway of India]] in [[Mumbai]], built to commemorate the visit of [[George V|King George V]] and [[Mary of Teck|Queen Mary]] to India. It was designed by [[George Wittet|George Witttet]] in the Indo-Saracenic style.|alt=]]
[[File:Mumbai 03-2016 35 Prince of Wales Museum.jpg|thumb|right|[[Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Vastu Sangrahalaya]]<ref group="note" name="a">The name translates to "King Shivaji Museum"</ref>]]

=== Portuguese ===
During [[History of Bombay under Portuguese rule (1534–1661)|Portuguese rule in Mumbai]], several fortifications, including the [[Madh Island|Madh Fort]] and [[Castella de Aguada]] were built in the city.

=== British Colonial ===
During the [[British Raj|British colonial era]], European styles became prevalent, especially in [[Mumbai]](Bombay at that time). The most significant examples are the two [[World Heritage Site|World Heritage sites]] of Mumbai ― [[Chhatrapati Shivaji Terminus railway station|Chhatrappati Shivaji terminus]] (designed by [[Frederick William Stevens]] in the gothic revival style), and the [[The Victorian and Art Deco Ensemble of Mumbai|Victorian and Art Deco ensemble of Mumbai]] (consisting of [[Bombay High Court]], [[Rajabai Clock Tower]] and [[University of Mumbai]]).<ref name= "CST">{{Cite web|url=https://whc.unesco.org/en/list/945|title=Chhatrapati Shivaji Terminus (formerly Victoria Terminus)|last=Centre|first=UNESCO World Heritage|website=whc.unesco.org|language=en|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181127020843/http://whc.unesco.org/en/list/945|archive-date=2018-11-27|url-status=live|access-date=2018-10-22}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://whc.unesco.org/en/list/1480|title=Victorian Gothic and Art Deco Ensembles of Mumbai|last=Centre|first=UNESCO World Heritage|website=whc.unesco.org|language=en|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180707140322/https://whc.unesco.org/en/list/1480|archive-date=2018-07-07|url-status=live|access-date=2018-10-22}}</ref> Other examples include and [[Municipal Corporation Building, Mumbai|Municipal Corporation Building]] and [[The Asiatic Society of Mumbai|Asiatic Society]] in Mumbai and [[Fergusson College]] of [[Pune]].

==== Indo-Saracenic ====
A new architectural style known as the [[Indo-Saracenic Revival architecture|Indo-Saracenic Revival Architecture]] developed, a combination of British and Indian styles. The best examples of this style are [[Gateway of India]], [[The Taj Mahal Palace Hotel|Taj Mahal Hotel]], [[Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Vastu Sangrahalaya]]<ref group="note" name="a">The name translates to "King Shivaji Museum"</ref> (formerly ''Prince of Wales Museum'') in Mumbai.

==== Art Deco ====
{{Further|Art Deco in Mumbai}}
Mumbai has one of the largest collections of art deco buildings in the world.

== Post-Independence (1947―present) ==
Modern skyscrapers built in the [[International Style (architecture)|international style]] such as [[The Imperial (Mumbai)|The Imperial]], [[Antilia (building)|Antilia]], and [[Palais Royale, Mumbai|Palais Royale]] form the skyline of Mumbai.

== Gallery ==
{{Gallery
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| File:Bibi_Ka_Maqbara_-_The_Taj_Of_Deccan.jpg
| alt2=
| [[Bibi Ka Maqbara]] at [[Aurangabad, Maharashtra|Aurangabad]], a replica of the [[Taj Mahal]] built during the reign of [[Aurangzeb]]. It was commissioned by his son [[Azam Shah]].
| File:Mumbai 03-2016 37 University.jpg
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| The [[Fort (Mumbai precinct)|Fort]] campus of the [[University of Mumbai]] was established in 1857.
| File:Chhatrapati Shivaji Terminus (Victoria Terminus).jpg
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| The present building of the [[Chhatrapati Shivaji Terminus]] was designed by [[Frederick William Stevens]] in the [[Victorian Gothic]] style and completed in 1888.<ref name= "CST"/>
}}

==Notes==
{{Reflist|group=note}}
==References==

=== Citations ===
{{reflist}}

=== Bibliography ===

*{{Cite book|url=https://en.wikisource.org/wiki/The_Rock-cut_Temples_of_India|title=The Rock-cut Temples of India|last=Fergusson|first=James|year=1864|author-link=James Fergusson (architect)}}
* {{Cite book|url=https://en.wikisource.org/wiki/Historic_Landmarks_of_the_Deccan|title=Historic Landmarks of the Deccan|last=Haig|first=Major T. W.|publisher=The Pioneer Press, Allahabad|year=1907|author-link=Wolseley Haig}}

{{Maharashtra}}{{Architecture of India}}

[[Category:Indian architecture by state or union territory|Maharashtra]]
[[Category:Culture of Maharashtra]]

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Architecture of Maharashtra