Wishesh June 2015 Online E-Magazine

THE ARTS AND LITERATURE
Paramara rulers Munja and Bhoja are well-known
scholars of great repute. The following are the
works of Bhoja – Ayurvedasarvasva, Rajamriganka,
Vyavaharasamuchchaya, Sabdanusasana and
Yuktikalpataru.
Bhoja patronized literary giants such as
Padmagupta, Dhanika, Halayudha, Dhananjaya and
Amitragati. Rajasekhara, the author of the drama of
Karpuramanjari
in Prakrit was
patronized by
Mahendrapala
of Kanauj.
King Lakshmana
Sena of Bengal
patronized
Jayadeva,
the author of
Gita Govinda.
Kalhana, the
author of
Rajtarangini,
Somadevasuri,
the author
of Kathasaritsagara, Chand Bardai, the author
Prithiviraj Raso and Brihatkathamanjari, belonged
to this period. Vernacular literature also made
a beginning in this period. Hemachanda Suri, an
another great Jain poet is the one who occupies a
very comfortable place for his services.
RAJPUTS AS BUILDERS:
Other than patronizing arts and literature, the
Rajputs were also great builders. Art historians
divide their period into two halves, the first part
from AD 600-900 and the second part from
AD 900-1200. The second part exposes more
ornamentation than the first part.
The fortresses located at Chittorgarh,
Ranathanbhor and Kumbalgarh in Rajasthan
along with Mandu, Gwalior, Chandai and Asirgarh
in Madhya Pradesh are a few of the specimens of
secular art of the Rajputs
PALACES AND TEMPLES:
The palaces in Rajasthan are the pride marks
of the Rajputs art and architecture. They even
constructed a number of temples. The Chandella
rulers built by the Khajuraho group of temples
numbering 80. The each temple over there exhibits
individual architectural character, which stands
in good testimony to the artistic excel lence of the
Rajput artists and craftsmen.
These temples are well known for their graceful
contours, rich surface treatment and an elegant
proportions. Specially, the Sikharas of these
temples, which are both Brahmanical and Jaina
appear as most refined and exhibit elegance in
every inch.
The Jaina complex at Mount Abu is very
remarkable for its marble halls, a central dome
of 11 concentric rings and richly carved vaulted
ceiling and pillars. They also built Siva temples at
Nemavar and Udaipur. It is said that Rudramala
temple is one of the largest and most decorated
religious monuments in India.
From the
inroads of
ruthless
invaders
like Ghajini
and Ghori,
the Rajputs
acted as the
defenders
of Indian
culture,
which later
led to the
postponement for the establishment of Muslim
power in India
On the other side, the Rajputs failed to make an
impact on preventing the establishment of the Delhi
Sultanate by their narrow and clannish outlook, lack
of foresight and failure to realize the impending
danger knocking at their gates and importance of
burying mutual jealousies for a common good.
Rajputs have adopted the custom of ‘Purdah’. The
main intention of Rajputs behind adopting this is,
to make a physical segregation of the sexes and
the requirement that women cover their bodies so
as to cover their skin and conceal their form. It is
still being followed by the Muslim communities in
Afghanistan and Pakistan and also the upper caste
Hindus in North India, like Rajputs.
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