A detail study on the Golden City's Art and Architecture

1. JAISALMER
Golden city of India

2. INTRODUCTION
• Jaisalmer is named after its
founder Rawal
Jaisal "Jaisalmer" means
"the Hill Fort of Jaisal".
• It lies in the heart of
the Thar Desert and has a
population of about 78,000.
• Jaisalmer is also called as
the Golden city of India
because the yellow sand
gives a yellowish-golden
touch to the city & its
surrounding area.
• Jaisalmer as a city, as urban
fabric, is in total harmony
with its soil, its terrain and
the lifestyle of its people.

3. HISTORY
• The majority of the inhabitants of Jaisalmer
are Bhati Rajput, who take their name from an
ancestor named Bhatti, renowned as a warrior
when the tribe were located in the Punjab.
• Shortly after this the clan was driven southwards,
and found a refuge in the Indian desert, which
was henceforth its home.
• Deoraj, a famous prince of the Bhati family, is
esteemed the real founder of the Jaisalmer
dynasty, and with him the title of rawal
commenced. In 1156 Rawal Jaisal, the sixth in
succession from Deoraj, founded the fort and
city of Jaisalmer, and made it his capital as he
moved from his former capital
at Lodhruva (which is situated about 15 km to
the south-east of Jaisalmer).
• In 1294, the Bhatis so enraged the emperor
Ala-ud-din Khilji that his army captured and
sacked the fort and city of Jaisalmer, so that for
some time it was quite deserted.

4. • Jaisalmer was one of the last states to
sign a treaty with the British. During
the British Raj, Jaisalmer was the seat of
a princely state of the same name, ruled
by the Bhati clan of rajputs. The present
descendant is Brijraj Singh.
• The glory of Jaisalmer faded
when Bombay emerged as a port and the
sea trade replaced the traditional land
routes.
• The partition of India in1947 lead to
closing of all the trade routes on the Indo-
Pak border and rendered Jaisalmer a
drought-prone desert backwater on the
international border.
• Ironically, skirmishes between India and
Pakistan gave Jaisalmer a strategic
importance and made it serviceable as an
army supply depot.
• Later, the Rajasthan Canal served to revive
the surrounding desert areas. Roads and
railroads were then built, knitting the
hitherto remote town with the rest of
Rajasthan.

5. CLIMATE
[hide]Climate data for Jaisalmer
Mon
th
Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Year
Aver
age
high
°C
(°F)
23.7
(74.
7)
27.2
(81.
0)
32.8
(91.
0)
38.4
(101
.1)
41.7
(107
.1)
40.9
(105
.6)
37.7
(99.
9)
36.0
(96.
8)
36.5
(97.
7)
36.1
(97.
0)
31.1
(88.
0)
25.4
(77.
7)
34.0
5
(93.
29)
Aver
age
low
°C
(°F)
7.9
(46.
2)
10.9
(51.
6)
16.8
(62.
2)
22.2
(72.
0)
25.7
(78.
3)
27.1
(80.
8)
26.5
(79.
7)
25.4
(77.
7)
24.3
(75.
7)
20.5
(68.
9)
13.8
(56.
8)
8.9
(48.
0)
19.1
7
(66.
51)
Preci
pitat
ion
mm
(inch
es)
1.3
(0.0
51)
4.0
(0.1
57)
3.2
(0.1
26)
18.1
(0.7
13)
9.2
(0.3
62)
16.1
(0.6
34)
56.1
(2.2
09)
79.0
(3.1
1)
16.2
(0.6
38)
2.5
(0.0
98)
1.3
(0.0
51)
2.5
(0.0
98)
209.
5
(8.2
48)
Avg.
preci
pitat
ion
days
(≥
0.1
mm)
0.6 1.0 0.9 0.4 0.8 1.1 3.9 3.9 2.1 0.4 1.1 0.5 16.7
•
Jaisalmer climate is
influenced by its
position amidst the
Great Indian Desert.
• The region experiences
an arid climate through
the year.
• The temperature
remains low during the
winter season while
summers are
characterized by cold
and dry Jaisalmer
weather.
• The region is drained by
very scanty rainfall
during the monsoon
season.

6. PEOPLE AND CULTURE
• The cosmopolitan city of Jaisalmer
comprises of several religions of Hindus,
Jains, Muslims, Sikhs and Christians. Most
of the native population of Jaisalmer
follows Hindu religious customs and
rituals.
• The Marwari community of the place
observes the Hindu festivals with great
religious fevor and zeal.
• The traditional folk music and dance is an
integral part of the social and cultural life
of the indigenous inhabitants of
Jaisalmer.
• The Kalbeliya dance of the community of
snake charmers portrays the rich artistic
caliber and creative imagination of the
dancers.

7. • The unique decorative work on the walls,
ceilings and pillars of the historical monuments
reflect the rich craftsmanship of the local
artisans of the ancient times.
• The crafts of Jaisalmer comprise of unique art
and craft works of exquisite designs of silver
jeweleries, printing work, highly decorative
leather products and embroidery works.
• The Desert Festival of Jaisalmer provides the
local inhabitants and the tourists as well to
explore the unique folk traditions of the ancient
times.
• In the village most people live in huts (Jhopri).
These beautiful huts are made of grass. These
huts are cool in summers and warm in winter.
Every family has 4-5 huts. Some of the villages
have stone houses. Almost all villages have a
pond or well for drinking water.
• In the villages the main sources of income are
animal rearing and farming. Every family keeps
cows, goats, sheep and camel.

8. ARCHITECTURE
• The Rajmahal, Jaisalmer Fort,
Chandraprabhu Temple,
Parsvanath Jain Temple, Salim
Singh-ki- Haveli and Nathmal-
ki- Haveli reflect the unique
architectural style that were
adopted by the imperial Rajput
rulers of the bygone era.
• The forts, palaces and religious
shrines of Jaisalmer are
exquisitely ornamented with
fine and delicate works.
• The excellent lattice work on
the pillars, walls and ceilings of
the numerous forts, palaces
and religious shrines of the city
is a delight for the tourists who
are thrilled with the flawless
and fine work of the artisans of
the traditional times.

9. INTERIOR OF JAIN TEMPLE

12. Case

13. Nathmalji’s Haveli

14. Introduction
Nathmalji-ki-
Haveli of
Jaisalmer in Rajasthan
bears relics to the rich
architectural splendor
of the ancient times.
• A unique feature of
the marvelous
architectural
monument of
Nathmalji-ki-Haveli is
the giant structure of
two elephants of
yellow sand stone at
the main entrance of
the beautiful edifice.

15. History
• Two brothers named Hathi and Lulu were sanctioned
to build the haveli for Diwan Mohata Nathmal,with the
responsibility of the construction of this magnificent
haveli.
• They started building the haveli simultaneously with
each brother concentrating on one side of the haveli.
The result of building it simultaneously showed up
with different left and right sides when work was
completed.
• However, it didn’t look too obvious and one notices it
only when one observes it a bit closely.

16. • The walls and ceilings of the splendid monument are decorated with exquisite paintings and
fine carvings that adds to the beauty of the historical structure.
• The rich architectural imagination of the two brothers is reflected in the various paintings of
modern ceiling fans and cars on the walls of Nathmalji-ki-Haveli.
• An architectural marvel of the bygone era, Nathmalji-ki-Haveli presents a harmonious blend
of indigenous architectural styles of the Rajputs and Muslims.
• Amidst the picturesque landscape of Jaisalmer, the giant architectural monument of
Nathmalji-ki-Haveli stands tall with it’s over imposing architectural structure.

17. Plan
• The building is planned around two courtyards, the one in the front is much
smaller than the rear one .
• The front part of the building is three storeys high and has the main living
quarters.
• The rear portion is two storey high and contains the ancillary accomodation.

18. Main entrance

19. Left side of the facade Right side of the façade
Notice the difference in the pattern of grill, the pillars, and the design and shape of the
tiny windows.

20. Left side of the facade Right side of the façade
notice the beam pattern below the gallery on both sides

21. Left side of the facade
Right side of the façade

22. Building material
• The material used for walls
in this haveli is mostly light
sandstone whereas
limestone has been used
for the upper storeys and
façade since it can be easily
carved.
• The stone joints are made
without mortar and are
held together using iron
cramps.
• Due to thick walls and mud
plaster, it reduces the
thermal load on the
building.

23. Building form
• The entire building is of unequal heights with wind pavilions and high parapet
walls , creating an uneven skyline and shading in the process.
• At the second level they have a number of projections like sunshades and
balconies.
• At the lowest levels, the flats parts of the building façade are deeply carved
creating finned surface.

24. Building form
• Uneven building forms also influences radiative heat loss from walls.
• Also increased wall area of the uneven building mass radiates a greater amount of
heat to the sky and consequently stays cooler than a more compact mass.

25. Section

26. • The courtyards provide the necessary light and ventilation for all the
surrounding rooms.
• While the front receives some sunlight during the summer, the rear courtyard
is completely exposed to sun.
• The streets and the two narrow shafts are completely protected from the sun.
• The differential heating of the vertical ducts ensures continuous airflow
through the house.

27. Inner court

28. Courtyard effect
Air duct

29. Windows
• Windows and balconies are generally fitted with jallis or lattice windows (shutter
like windows) for privacy as well to restrict dust but at the same time let in wind.
• Doors are built with stone frames and fitted with timber doors.

31. Roofing
• The roof is made of closely spaced timber beams and then is covered by a layer of
reed or grass matting and finally laid by a layer of earth on top .
• These are then finished with stone floorin or mud plaster .
• The layer of earth and grass matting keeps the interiors cool.

33. • The drawing room of the family is located on the first floor above the entranceway.
• This richly decorated room is two storeys high.
• There are timber shuttered window openings towards the street and a large
number of small ventilation holes in the upper part of the room.
• Together, these openings ensure heat removal by ventilation .
Drawing room in the upper storey

34. Interior view

35. Interior view

36. • The room in the basement were designed as strong rooms for valuables.
• The temperature remains constant throughout the year due to the absence of any
heat load and due to rapid decay of the ambident temperature wave in soil.

37. Air shafts
• Vertical ducts and stair shafts direct the wind direction into the building and
accelerate the ventilation through thye courtyards.

38. Raj mahal
ROYAL PALACE
Jaisalmer

39. This large
fort also
called
Sonar Qila,
was founded
in A.D.
1178 on
Trikuta
hill by
Bhati ruler
Jaisal.

40. Its fortification walls which are
constructed of yellow sandstone
without any mortar are
strengthened by ninety-nine
bastions and corner towers.
Numerous bastions are made
accessible through gates, viz.

43. The fort contains 3 layers of
walls. The outer or the lower
layer is made out of solid
stone blocks and it reinforces
the loose rubble of Trikuta
Hill. The second, or middle,
wall snakes around the fort.
This defences of the fort
include 99 bastions, of which
92 were built between the
period of 1633-47.
Although at one point the
entire population
of Jaisalmer lived within the

44. The uppermost
fortification wall
has kanguras,
gun-holes and
jharokhas
(balconies).
It has a high
quality of
architectural
order. On reaching
the entrance to the
square through a
winding and well
guarded path, one
sees very few
buildings;
Actually one views
the horizon just
above the fort
Public spaces in Jaisalmer
may be classified
according to their types.
The major categories are
:

45. The king's throne occupies one corner
of the square at a diagonal,
overlooking the square. The square
acts as a key linking element and as a
nucleus in the upper city thus holding
it together.
ROYAL
SUARE
is a
very
well
conceiv
ed
space
forming
the
core of
the
upper
city as
well as
the
Royal
quarter
s.
Visitors
and
traders
met the
king
and the
communi
ty in
this
square
.

46. Starting with Gandhi Chowk, just
inside the western wall of the
lower city, one is lead through
the main bazaar
with Jindani Chowk along the way
to Gopa Chowk, the latter being
the main market square. Gopa
Chowk is closely linked with the
entry gate to the upper city and
has a very informal quality due
to the diversity of activities that
take place there.
Cluster space is quite frequently
found, particularly in the upper
city. It is either a space which
connects streets on two or four
sides, or it is made by widening a

47. VIEW OF

48. The topmost
balcony of
the palace
for the men
folk of the
royal
family to
look over

49. Mughal inspired cha
PROJECTED BALCONY in

50. The tiled
flooring
and the

52. Interior of
the palace
has lots of
tessellating
inlaid mosaic
pattern

54. They also
had in
built
shelves for
placing
diyas
during the
evenings
and special
occasions as
artificial
lighting was
not an

55. TEMPLE ARCHITECTURE IN JAISALMER
• The Jain temples in Jaisalmer are located within the
Jaisalmer Fort premises. Its location also proves to be
attractive to the tourists as most of the tourists get to
visit both the attractions.
• The Jain temples in the Jaisalmer Fort are dedicated to
the famous Jain hermits known as 'Tirthankars'.
• A temple in each corner of the complex is dedicated to
a different saint; Rishabhnath in the southwest,
Parshvanath in the northeast, Ajitanath (whose symbol is
the elephant) in the southeast and of course
Shambhavnath (of the horse symbol) in the northwest.

57. • Like all other structures
in Jaisalmer, these
temples are craved of
yellow sandstones.
• The beautifully carves
decorations on the wall
will give you divine
peace.
• The Astapadhi Temples
that are situated in the
same complex are a
must visit too.

59. STYLE OF ARCHITECTURE
• These temples are built in the Dilwara style that is famous all over the world for its
architecture. The style got its name from the famous 'Dilwara Temples' situated on
Mount Abu, a famous Hill station and pilgrimage destination in Rajasthan

60. TYPICAL FEATURES
• Another attraction
of the temple that
will surely attract
your attention is the
carved lotus symbols
on the temple
domes.

61. • A string of courtyards and walkways
interconnect the temples to one another.
• On the walls, pillars and columns of the
temples, one can notice the exquisite
sculptures in sandstone and marble.

62. THE PARSHVANATH TEMPLE, JAISALMER
• The Parshvanath Temple is the main Jain temple
here.
• It was destroyed once in 1152by mahamuued
ghazini, but was reconstructed in 1615 by Seth
Tharu Shah with further additions.

63. TORANA
• Its Torana Dwar or
main archway is
probably the most
ornate of its kind.

64. • An octagonal pyramid shaped roof surmounts
the whole temple complex that remains
surrounded by a fortification wall.
• The ceilings of the Sabha Mandapa support a
demonic looking multi-hooded serpent
canopy surrounded by five bodies.
• The shikhara is crowned by an amalak.

65. • Intricately carved
sculptures ornate
the temple
exquisitely.

66. • The beautiful Jaali works make these temples a
piece of marvel.
• It is heavenly to watch the sun rays coming
through the jalis and intricate carvings on the
walls of the temples.

67. RISHABHNATH TEMPLE, JAISALMER
• This is another Jain temple at Lodurva,
located near the ruins of the palace of
Moomal and the once gushing
watercourse of the river Kak.
• The temple was commissioned by a
wealthy Marwari Seth Sachcha and
constructed in 1479.
• According to mythology Rishabhdevaji
was a man who lived 20,00,000 years as a
prince and no less than 63,00,000 years as
a king.
• Legend further states that he neglected
his body for 1,000 years and then deeply
meditated for three and a half days,
depriving himself of all food and water.
• After which, according to Hermann Jacobi
in Jaina Sutras, he reached the infinite.

68. TYPICAL FEATURE:
• Pyramidal shikhara
• Long elongated corridors
• Jaali work
• Exquisitely carved interior
• Shikhara surmounted by the
amlaka

69. GARBHAGRIHA

71. • SCULTURES