Earlier this week, World Architecture Day was celebrated on October 4th. Now India is home to so many glorious structures like the Taj Mahal and Ajanta caves, that many other breathtaking structures go unnoticed globally. Let’s have a look at some of those marvels.
Crux of the Matter
Chand Baori, Rajasthan
This stepwell was built by King Chanda of the Nikumbha Dynasty between 8th-9th CE. With its 3,500 steps over 13 storeys, the maze of symmetrical steps appears to form a never ending path underground.
Maluti Temples, Jharkhand
A group of 72 extant terracotta temples, they were originally 108 shrines built under the Baj Basanta dynasty, in the 17th-19th CE. They portray scenes from the Mahabharata, the Ramayana and other epics.
The Great Wall Of India, Rajasthan
Also known as Kumbhalgarh, it is the world's second-longest continuous wall after the Great Wall of China. Built in the 15th CE by Rana Kumbha, the wall extends for 36km and is 4.5m thick in some areas, with 7 fortified gates.
Unakoti, Tripura
The Unakoti or “less than a crore” hill hosts huge rock reliefs celebrating Shiva. It is a ‘Shaiba’ (Saivite) pilgrimage site dating back to around 7th - 9th CE. As per the legend, Lord Shiva rested here on his way to Kashi. On sunrise, when no one awoke except Shiva himself, he put a curse and turned the 99,99,999 gods and goddesses to stone.
Rani Ki Vav, Gujarat
Called the ‘Queen’s Stepwell’, this 28m deep structure is speculated to be built by Udayamati, in memory of her husband Chaulukya king Bhima I.
Curiopedia
B V Doshi, one of India's greatest architects, is the first Indian to receive the prestigious Pritzker Architecture Prize. His more noteworthy designs include the IIM Bangalore, IIM Udaipur, NIFT Delhi, Amdavad ni Gufa and CEPT University.