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Chhatri

Chhatris up close at Bada Bagh, Rajasthan
Chhatri set atop each corner of the Hall of Audience in Fatehpur Sikri palace complex.

Chhatri are semi-open, elevated, dome-shaped pavilions used as an element in Indo-Islamic architecture[1] and Indian architecture. They are most commonly square, octagonal, and round.[2]

Originating as a canopy above tombs, they largely serve as decorative elements as opposed to functional elements.[1][2] The earliest examples of chhatri being used in the Indian Subcontinent were found in the Shrine of Ibrahim in Bhadreswar, constructed between 1159 and 1175 AD.[1]

Chhatri are found particularly within Mughal architecture. The most notable surviving examples today are to be found at Humayun's Tomb in Delhi and the Taj Mahal in Agra. The Berar Sultanate in the Deccan added chhatris on buildings in its various capitals.[3] Chhatri have also been used in Rajasthan and other parts of the Indian Subcontinent by both Muslim and Hindu rulers.

They are primarily used to manipulate skylines, an important aspect of Rajasthani architecture.[2] For instance, they may be added to building roofs, and larger chhatri may be used as cenotaphs.[2] Its origins are, however, Rajastani. While chhatri in Shekhawati may consist of a simple structure of one dome raised by four pillars to a building containing many domes and a basement with several rooms. In some places, the interior of the chhatri is painted in the same manner as the haveli (mansions) of the region.

In Rajasthan

Many other chhatri exist in other parts of Rajasthan. Their locations include:

  • Jaipur – Gaitore Cenotaphs of the Maharajas of Jaipur. Set in a narrow valley, the cenotaphs of the former rulers of Jaipur consist of the somewhat typical chhatri or umbrella-shaped memorials. Sawai Jai Singh II's Chhatri is particularly noteworthy because of the carvings that have been used to embellish it.
  • Jodhpur – Jaswant Thada, the white marble chhatri of Maharaja Jaswant Singh II. The Panchkunda Ki Chhatriyan at Mandore are a group of chhatri built on early cremation grounds of Marwar royal family.
  • Bharatpur- the cenotaphs of the members of the Jat royal family of Bharatpur, who perished whilst fighting against the British in 1825, are erected in the town of Govardhan. The chhatri of Maharaja Suraj Mal of Bharatpur has fine frescos illuminating the life of Surajmal, vividly depicting darbar and hunting scenes, royal processions and wars.
  • Udaipur- Flanked by a row of enormous stone elephants, the Lake Pichola island has an impressive chhatri carved from gray blue stone, built by Maharana Jagat Singh.
  • Haldighati – A beautiful Chhatri with white marble columns, dedicated to Rana Pratap, stands here. Chetak Smarak, the cenotaph dedicated to Chetak, Rana Pratap's famous horse, is also noteworthy.
  • Alwar – Moosi Maharani ki Chhatri is a beautiful red sandstone and white marble cenotaph of the rulers of Alwar.
  • Bundi – Suraj Chhatri and Mordi Ki Chhatri, Chaurasi Khambon ki Chhatri, Bundi and Nath Ji ki Chhatri are located in Bundi. Rani Shyam Kumari wife of Raja Chhatrasal on the northern hill constructed the Suraj Chhatri and Mayuri the second wife of Chhatrasal on the southern hill erected Mordi Ki Chhatri.
  • Jaisalmer – Bada Bagh, a complex with chhatris of Jai Singh II (d. 1743) and subsequent Maharajas of Jaisalmer.
  • Bikaner – Devi Kund near Bikaner is the royal crematorium place with a number of cenotaphs. The chhatri of Maharaja Surat Singh is most imposing. It has the spectacular Rajput paintings on the ceilings.
  • Ramgarh – Seth Ram Gopal Poddar Chhatri
  • Nagaur – Nath Ji ki Chhatri, Amar Singh Rathore-ki-Chhatri
  • A 12th-century chatri, Jaisalmir
    A 12th-century chatri, Jaisalmir
  • Bada Bagh at Jaisalmer
    Bada Bagh at Jaisalmer
  • Chhatri at Rajgarh, Rajasthan
    Chhatri at Rajgarh, Rajasthan
  • Moosi Rani Ki Chhatri, Alwar
    Moosi Rani Ki Chhatri, Alwar
  • Barah Khamba Chhatri at Jalsen Talab in Hindaun
    Barah Khamba Chhatri at Jalsen Talab in Hindaun

In Shekhawati

Some of the best-known chhatri in the Shekhawati region of Rajasthan are located in the following cities and towns:

In Madhya Pradesh

Chhatri of Vithoji in Maheshwar.

The region of Madhya Pradesh is the site of several other notable chhatri of its famous Maratha rulers:

  • Shujalpur – Tomb of Ranoji Scindia, founder of the Scindia dynasty. Situated at Ranoganj, Shujalpur to Akodia Road.
  • Shivpuri – Intricately embellished marble chhatri erected by Scindia rulers in Shivpuri.
  • Gwalior – Shrimati Balabai Maharaj Ladojirao Shitole Chhatri
  • Gwalior – Rajrajendra Ramchandrarao Narsingh Shitole and wife Gunwantyaraje Ramchandrarao Shitole (princess of Gwalior) Chatri
  • Orchha – Elaborate chhatri of local Hindu kings
  • Gohad – The Jat rulers of Gohad constructed the chhatri of Maharaja Bhim Singh Rana on the Gwalior Fort.
  • Indore and Maheshwar – Chhatri of Holkar rulers.
  • Alampur – Maharani Ahilya Bai Holkar built the chhatri of Malhar Rao Holkar at Alampur in Bhind district in 1766.
Krishnapura Chhatri, Indore
Bolia Maharaj Ki Chhatri, Indore
Krishnapura Chhatri, Indore
Inside view of Krishnapur Chhatri, Indore

Mughal architecture

Dome-Shaped Chhatris Spires on the Taj Mahal.

Chhatri were features in many buildings of Mughal architecture:

In Kutch

Rao Lakhaji Chhatri Bhuj

Chhatri can also be found in the outskirts of Bhuj city belonging mainly to Jadeja rulers of Kutch. The chhatri of Rao Lakhpatji is very famous for its intricate designs & carvings. Most of them but have been destroyed in the 2001 Gujarat earthquake. The restoration work is going on.

Outside India

Chhatri of Ram Mohan Roy in Arnos Vale Cemetery, Bristol, England

There are two notable chhatri in the United Kingdom, a country with strong historical links to India. One is a cenotaph in Brighton, dedicated to the Indian soldiers who died in the First World War.

The other is in Arnos Vale Cemetery near Bristol and is a memorial to the distinguished Indian reformer Raja Ram Mohan Roy, who died in that city.

See also

References

  1. ^ a b c Salome Zajadacz-Hastenrath (2000), "On the History of Style of the Tomb "Chattris" in the Islamic Architecture of Sind", Central Asiatic Journal, 44 (1): 131–157, JSTOR 41928225
  2. ^ a b c d Jain, Kulbhushan (1998). "Spatial Organisation and Aesthetic Expression in the Traditional Architecture of Rajasthan". Paradigms of Indian Architecture (1st ed.). Routledge. p. 173. ISBN 9781315026923.
  3. ^ Navina Najat Haidar, Marika Sardar (13 April 2015). Sultans of Deccan India, 1500–1700: Opulence and Fantasy. Metropolitan Museum of Art. p. 51. ISBN 9780300211108.
  4. ^ Andrew Petersen (11 March 2002). Dictionary of Islamic Architecture. p. 83. ISBN 9781134613663.
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