Regional architecture
- 2. Moyna Garh • One of the greatest discovery of humankind, which was previously unidentified in the land of West Bengal, India is Moyna Garh in Purba Medinipur district. • The entire fort is encircled with two concentric wide moats with huge mounds stretching up to 13 acres.The only way to reach the fort is by boat. • The first moat is at a distance of 200 metres from the second. Engrossed in lush concentric greenery, the fort creates a picturesque environment. • With time and development, there is an existence of a single moat now. Presently, Moyna Garh belongs toWest Bengal Heritage Commission.
- 3. Location: • Setting an example amongst the other well- recognized structures, the historical precincts has also fulfilled the need of utilizing innovative techniques during the early times. For example, a natural security scape is seen to be developed encircling the huge moat of Moyena Garh for the protection of the structures. • It is believed that they developed bamboo plantation profusely all around the moat and infested crocodiles in the water in order to protect the island from the enemy attacks. The dense forest also included other wild animals and ready canons in every corner. • This widely highlights the strong sense of security developed naturally within the area. There was a strong ecological field developed around the boundary. The location was self- sufficient and ensured sustainable resources. ARCHITECTURAL INFERENCES
- 4. Architectural Features: • All the forts during the earlier centuries had an essence of European architectural style. • The huge load-bearing structures were supported with a series of arches which helped in distributing the load evenly thereby maintaining rhythm and harmony. • The buildings had a courtyard planning technique involved which intensifies natural ventilation. The construction technique was simple yet outstanding. • The ultimate calculation of load-bearing wall made of brick construction was one of the most innovative methods adopted by the people. • The brick arches acted as a load-bearing medium on which the load of the upper storey was given. It also acted as brick lintel on which the load acted upon.
- 5. • Dakshineshwar Kali temple in Kolkata, was founded by Rani Rasmoni in 1855.The structure reflects typical Bengal architectural form with ‘Nava-Ratna’ style or nine spires evenly distributed on each corner and the centre of the upper-storey. • The construction of this spires was done with materials like brick and lime mortar.The interior of the temple has a vaulted roof. • The three-storeyed temple stands on a high platform with a flight of stairs. • The beautiful multi-foiled arched entrance enhances the aesthetic look of the structure whereas functionally ensuring stability to carry the heavy loaded spires from the top • Arches are considered to carry heavy loads and also reduce the cost of construction. Temple Features: Terminology: Ath-Chala: Typical Bengal architectural style. Single square or rectangular chamber having four sloping roofs and a duplicate miniature version of same structure roofs (curvilinear or straight) on top of it. Chandni: Flat-roofed temple, square or rectangular smaller in size with not more than three entrances. Nava-Ratna:Typical Bengal architectural style.Additional nine spires evenly distributed in the centre and four corners of the roof in a religious structure.
- 6. • There was a unique distribution of load from the top to the bottom of the structure. In the above figure, it is seen that the mass of the structure kept descending from the bottom to the top where in order to reduce the overall load of the structure. • This unique technique of reduction of load can be implemented so that there is no maximum pressure on the ground floor. • The flat roofs of any religious temple always had domical roofing in the interior. It was believed that this method of construction reduces heat inside the building. • The gap between the flat rood and the dome generally had a mud and rice husk filling to prevent it from heat transfer inside it. Temple Features:
- 8. Architectural Detailing: • Ultimate and fine detailing on the outer façade was made of Terra-cotta tiles curved in various motifs and figures. It was the most inexpensive and common method of decoration used during earlier times. • Curved into various shapes or human forms, these tiles highlighted its various mythological characters or scenes. In residential buildings, pilasters with beautiful flower motifs served as a unique method of ornamentation. • The creation of grandness and detailed decorations made the outer façade look more attractive. How enriched and extravagant outlook can be created by using low-cost decoration techniques is to be learnt from history. Neither of the structures involved heavy construction techniques yet stood outstanding. • The inferences drawn from these examples and structures reflect the various marvellous methods of building construction techniques adopted by the people of the early 18th Century. Innumerable other methods like the usage of Domes and other Gothic architectural forms were also seen. • The low-cost vernacular houses maintained a very minimum usage of resources. Mud and rice- husk mainly acted as a common ingredient. These houses were made up of either raw clay mixed with rice husk or clay blocks later plastered with mud or lime mortar. These houses generally reached up to three-storeys high with a sloping roof supported by a wooden truss.
- 9. Orchha • Orchha is a historically famous site of Bundelkhand region in Niwari district of Madhya Pradesh. It has the wide collection of tremendous Imperial monuments with historic importance and natural and living heritage at National and international level. The Jahangir Mahal, Raj Mahal and Sheesh Mahal are the three sections of Orchha Palace Complex. • The blend of Mughal and Bundelkhandi style of architecture is really appreciable for its harmony, intelligent engineering and magnificent building. Jahangir Mahal was built in honour of Mughal Emperor Jahangir. • Orchha is also famous for the Ram Raja temple where the Bhagwan Ram is worshipped as a king. Lakshmi Narayan temple and ChaturbhujTemple have uniqueTemple designs.There are 14 Chhatri or cenotaphs of the rulers of Orchha.The art, architecture, legends and the myths celebrate the glory of Orchha.
- 10. • The Raj Mahal was started to be built at the time of King Rudra Pratap Singh in 1531 and in 1539 it got completed at the time of Bharti Chandra the successor of king Rudra Pratap. Some additions and alterations were made at the time of king Madhukar Shah. • The exterior of the palace looks simple without any ornamentation. It is a residential palace and earliest building of the citadels which was constructed.The Palace has two wings, one side is four storey and other three sides have five storey. Deewan-e-Aam and Diwan-e-Khaas are the important one. Diwan-e-Aam is used for public meeting. • It is a twenty eight pillered hall with three platforms.The utmost platform is for royal seat.The heights of the platform were used according to the rank of ministers and nobles. • The entrance is the Eastern and opens in a courtyard of Diwan-e-Khaas.These courtyards were used for the everyday gathering and on the occasion of festivals and rituals. Raj Mahal
- 11. • Ram Raja Mandir is the popular pilgrimage of Madhya Pradesh. It is the only place where the Lord Ram is worshipped as a god and as a king. 16 It is the prominent temple of Orchha situated at the distance of 1 km from Orchha Fort Complex and 600metres away from ChaturbhujTemple. • In 16th century the temple was built by Raja Madhukar Shah for his queen Rani Ganesh Kunwari as a residential Palace later it converted to the temple of Lord Ram as the idol didn't move from the place as per three conditions: 1st " I will travel with the group of sage on foot from Ayodhya to Orchha only on Pushya nakshatra so Rani traveled to Orchha from Ayodhya with the baby Ram in her lap, it took the time of eight months and twenty seven days to reach the Orchha. 2nd "I will be the king of Orchha and 3rd is, "the first place you will seat to me will be the final place".Thus the Ram became the king of Orchha and King Madhukar Shah shifted her capital to Tikamgarh. • In Orchha the Ram is worshipped as a king, so the guard of honour is given every day in the evening by the police personnel of Madhya Pradesh government designated as guard at the temple.The royal feast is also provided to him. In the Garbhagriha of the temple, Raja Ram is sitting in padmasana, with Maharani Sita. He is holding a sword in his right hand and shield in the left. Devi Sita is on his left side while Lakshman ji is on the right, Maharaj Sugriv, Narsingh Bhagwan are also accompanying him. Devi Durga is also present in Ram Darbar. Hanuman Ji and Jamvant ji are praying to them. 17 Temple Features:
- 12. • Chhatris or memorials of Orchha were constructed in honour of its erstwhile rulers of Bundela dynasty. 25 At the bank of river Betwa, fourteen stone Cenotaphs are located along the Kanchan Ghat representing the most scenic beauty. • Chhatri of Maharaja Sujan Singh of Bundela architecture is at the most developed stage. It is a three-story rectangular building of Nagar style, each corner has a square room with topped dome. The central chamber has three arched doors and Nagar style Shikhar of temple architecture. The windows are placed to make it airy. The Cenotaph of Veer Singh Dev has Islamic features like large domes and strong pillars. Its stairway goes to the top. It offers the mesmerizing panoramic view of Orchha and its surroundings, 26 moreover they provide beautiful view with their reflection in the water from the river side Cenopath Features:
- 13. • As well said by MarkTwain,“History doesn’t repeat itself, but it does rhyme.”We can easily link our past ideologies into the present context by adopting their technologies. Every location serves as an eminent part.These few examples of historical buildings have given us the slightest ideas about how we can uplift the past and implement them in modern technologies.The essence that has been lost can be incorporated in the future.There is no point harming the agenda they have set for us.There must be a unique feature of the construction techniques our ancestors had adopted. Every structure has witnessed calamities and human negligence and still stands still. Barely 35% of the total unidentified structures seems abandoned or ruined totally. Otherwise, when restored and taken care of, they boast itself and stands iconic. Conclusion: