Rajput Architecture
Art & Culture › Architecture · Topic 1.31
Rajput architecture is the building tradition of the Rajput kingdoms of Rajasthan from the 8th to the 19th century, known for hill forts, palaces with jharokhas and chhatris, havelis, stepwells and planned cities. It joins Hindu forms with Mughal arches and domes. Key examples are the Hill Forts of Rajasthan (Chittorgarh, Kumbhalgarh, Ranthambore, Gagron, Amber and Jaisalmer), inscribed by UNESCO in 2013, the Jantar Mantar at Jaipur (2010) and the Walled City of Jaipur (2019). Sawai Jai Singh II founded Jaipur in 1727.
5 min read · UPSC Prelims · Art & Culture · Architecture
At a Glance
- Region Rajasthan and nearby Rajput states
- Period 8th to 19th century
- Forts Six Hill Forts of Rajasthan, UNESCO 2013
- Planned city Jaipur, founded 1727, UNESCO 2019
- Features Jharokha, chhatri, havelis, stepwells
- Exam link UPSC Prelims, Art and Culture: Architecture
Where Does It Fit?
This topic follows the Avadh style and covers a living tradition that ran beside the Delhi and Mughal styles. It shows the Hindu military and palace architecture of western India. Previous topic: Avadh (Oudh) Style. Next topic: Jaina Art & Architecture.
Which Are the Main Rajput Forts and Palaces?
| Monument | Place and state | Builder and key facts |
|---|---|---|
| Chittorgarh Fort | Chittorgarh, Rajasthan | Mewar capital; Vijay Stambh built by Rana Kumbha in the 15th century; Kirti Stambh of Jain origin; known for the jauhar |
| Kumbhalgarh Fort | Rajsamand, Rajasthan | Rana Kumbha, 15th century; a long outer wall, among the longest in the world |
| Ranthambore Fort | Sawai Madhopur, Rajasthan | Chauhan fort inside a tiger reserve |
| Gagron Fort | Jhalawar, Rajasthan | Water fort surrounded by rivers on three sides |
| Amber Fort | Jaipur, Rajasthan | Raja Man Singh I began it in 1592; Sheesh Mahal and Ganesh Pol |
| Jaisalmer Fort | Jaisalmer, Rajasthan | Rawal Jaisal, 1156; a living yellow sandstone fort called Sonar Qila |
| Mehrangarh Fort | Jodhpur, Rajasthan | Rao Jodha, 1459, on a high rock |
| City Palace | Udaipur, Rajasthan | Maharana Udai Singh II and later rulers, Lake Pichola |
| Hawa Mahal | Jaipur, Rajasthan | Maharaja Sawai Pratap Singh, 1799; five-storey front with 953 small windows (jharokhas) |
| Jantar Mantar | Jaipur, Rajasthan | Sawai Jai Singh II, 1728 to 1734; astronomical observatory, UNESCO 2010 |
What Are the Features of Rajput Architecture?
- Hill forts: forts on rocky hills with massive walls, bastions and several gates
- Jharokha: a projecting window or balcony with carved stone
- Chhatri: a domed pavilion on pillars on the roofline
- Havelis: courtyard mansions, with fresco-covered walls in Shekhawati
- Stepwells: baoris or vavs for water storage, like Chand Baori at Abhaneri
- Zenana and mardana: separate women and men quarters
- Material: local sandstone, marble and plaster
- Mughal mix: cusped arches and domes mixed with Hindu brackets and pillars
What Else Should You Remember?
- UNESCO forts: the six Hill Forts of Rajasthan were inscribed together in 2013, as a serial site
- Jaipur: also called the Pink City; the walled city has a grid plan with nine rectangular blocks, based on Vastu Shastra and designed with the help of Vidyadhar Bhattacharya
- Pink colour: the city was painted pink in 1876 to welcome the Prince of Wales
- Jantar Mantar: the largest stone observatory in the world, with the Samrat Yantra sundial, built by Sawai Jai Singh II
- Jauhar: the mass self-immolation of women in sieges, remembered at Chittorgarh
- Bundi: known for stepwells and the Chitrashala murals, linked with the Bundi school of painting
- Rani ki Vav: an eleventh century stepwell at Patan in Gujarat, inscribed by UNESCO in 2014, as in Temples of Gujarat
- Shekhawati: the open art gallery of Rajasthan with havelis of Marwari merchants
- Lake palaces: Lake Palace and Jag Mandir at Udaipur, and Jal Mahal at Jaipur
- Alternate names: Amber Fort is also spelt Amer Fort, and Jaisalmer Fort is known as Sonar Qila or Golden Fort
- Mughal link: Akbar’s alliance with Amber shaped the exchange of styles, as in Mughal Style
- Temples: the Rajasthan temple form is covered in Temples of Rajasthan
- Chand Baori: the stepwell at Abhaneri in Dausa district is one of the deepest in India, with 13 storeys of steps, and dates to the 9th century Chahamana period
- Mewar: the Sisodiya rulers of Mewar built at Chittorgarh and later Udaipur, which Maharana Udai Singh II founded in 1559, before Akbar’s siege of Chittorgarh in 1567 to 1568
- Marwar: the Rathore rulers of Marwar built Mehrangarh at Jodhpur and later the Umaid Bhawan Palace, completed in 1943
- Kishangarh and Bundi: these courts patronised miniature painting as well as palaces, so architecture and art developed together
Why Does It Matter for the Exam?
- UNESCO questions: six hill forts in 2013, Jantar Mantar in 2010, Jaipur in 2019
- Builder questions: Rana Kumbha for Kumbhalgarh, Man Singh for Amber
- Planning: Jaipur grid, Sawai Jai Singh II
- Terms: jharokha, chhatri, baoli
- Common errors: putting Jaisalmer Fort among the Mughal forts or giving Hawa Mahal to Jai Singh II
As an analytical point, Rajput forts are living towns, as at Jaisalmer, where people live inside the fort. Protecting the water supply and structure while keeping residents is a leading heritage challenge.
Why Is This Topic Important?
- UNESCO Rajasthan sites
- Builders Fort and king
- Planning Jaipur
What Came Next?
The next topic covers Jaina art and architecture, which flourished in Rajasthan and Gujarat. Next topic: Jaina Art & Architecture.
Key People and Terms
- Jharokha Projecting window
- Chhatri Domed pavilion
- Baoli Stepwell
- Jauhar Mass sacrifice
- Sawai Jai Singh II Founder of Jaipur
- Rana Kumbha Mewar fort builder
Exam Corner
Points to Remember
- UNESCO forts: 2013, six forts.
- Jaipur: 1727, Jai Singh II.
- Jantar Mantar: 2010.
- Jaisalmer: living fort.
- Kumbhalgarh: Rana Kumbha.
Do Not Confuse With
- Amber and Mehrangarh Jaipur fort of Man Singh versus Jodhpur fort of Rao Jodha
- Hawa Mahal and City Palace Jaipur facade of windows versus the royal residence
- Jantar Mantar and Qutb Minar Observatory versus victory tower
Memory Hook
Six hill forts, Jai Singh’s grid, pink town, stone stars.
Mains Angle
Questions ask about forts as living heritage and tourism. These points give a balanced frame.
- Living forts People inside the monument
- Tourism Rajasthan circuit
- Planning Jaipur grid and Vastu
A Question You May Face
An original practice question, not a past paper question.
“Examine the salient features of Rajput forts and palaces and the challenges of their conservation.”
How to Answer
- Features Hill forts, jharokha, chhatri.
- Examples UNESCO forts, Jaipur.
- Challenges Water, living use.
- Way Community-led care.
GS Relevance
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Rajput architecture?
Rajput architecture is the building tradition of the Rajput kingdoms of Rajasthan, with hill forts, palaces with jharokhas and chhatris, havelis and stepwells. It mixes Hindu forms with Mughal arches and domes. Chittorgarh, Amber, Jaisalmer and the Jaipur palaces are its best-known examples.
Which are the Hill Forts of Rajasthan inscribed by UNESCO?
The six Hill Forts of Rajasthan inscribed by UNESCO in 2013 are Chittorgarh, Kumbhalgarh, Ranthambore, Gagron, Amber and Jaisalmer. They are a serial site representing Rajput military architecture, with massive walls, gates and palaces on hills, and many have temples and water systems.
Who founded Jaipur and when?
Sawai Jai Singh II of Amber founded Jaipur in 1727. The city follows a grid plan with nine blocks, planned with Vastu Shastra and the architect Vidyadhar Bhattacharya. It is called the Pink City, and the Walled City of Jaipur was inscribed by UNESCO in 2019.
Where is Jaisalmer Fort located?
Jaisalmer Fort is in the city of Jaisalmer in western Rajasthan. Rawal Jaisal built it in 1156 on Trikuta hill. It is made of yellow sandstone and is called Sonar Qila, or the Golden Fort. It is a living fort, since many families still reside inside its walls.
What is the difference between a jharokha and a chhatri?
A jharokha is a projecting window or balcony with carved stone brackets and screens, used in palaces and havelis. A chhatri is a domed pavilion supported on pillars, placed on roofs, or built as a memorial cenotaph. Both are signature elements of Rajput architecture.
PYQ Practice — Statement Analysis
1 Six hill forts of Rajasthan were inscribed by UNESCO in 2013.
As a serial site.
2 Jaipur was founded by Sawai Man Singh I.
It was founded by Sawai Jai Singh II.
3 Jantar Mantar at Jaipur is an astronomical observatory.
Inscribed in 2010.
4 Hawa Mahal was built by Maharaja Sawai Pratap Singh.
In 1799.
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