Contemplation

2021-09-01 12:26:34 Which of the following statement is\are correct about the Chipko Movement?

1. It began in Gopeshwar in Chamoli district Uttarakhand in 1974.

2. The movement took up economic issues of landless forest workers and asked for guarantees of minimum wage. Open / Comment

2021-09-01 11:11:52 Architecture development under Shah Jahan (1628-1658)

He immortalized himself as he built the Taj Mahal in the memory of his late wife, Mumtaz Mahal. He is rightly called ' the prince of builders' as the Mughal architecture reached its zenith under his reign.

He built Shahjahanabad, the 7th city of Delhi, today is known as Old Delhi. He made extensive use of white marble as opposed to red sandstone which was preferred by his predecessors.

He also built the Jama Masjid in Delhi, Moti Masjid in the Agra Fort, and the Sheesh Mahal in the Lahore Fort brilliantly using pietra dura and complex mirror work.

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2021-08-31 17:43:43 Architecture development under Jahangir (1605-1627)

The prince had a special appreciation for the paintings over architecture.

He built the tomb of Itimad-ud-Daula (father of his wife Nur Jahan) displaying the world's finest Pietra-dura works and completed Akbar's tomb at Sikandra.

He also built the famous Shalimar Bagh in Srinagar, Moti Masjid at Lahore.

Note: Pietra Dura- also called as Parchin Kari is an inlay technique of pictorial mosaic work using cut and fitted, highly polished semi-precious stones as decorative art.

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2021-08-31 14:36:23 Architectural Development under Akbar

The reign of Akbar (1556-1605) witnessed immense developments in Mughal art and architecture.

He built the city of Fatehpur Sikri which was the first planned city of the Mughals and served as his capital from 1571 to 1585.

Buland Darwaza (1576, built to commemorate Akbar's victory over Gujarat kings), Jama Masjid, Diwan-i-aam, Diwan-i-khaas, Birbal's house, Tomb of Saint Salim Chisti are some of the important monuments in Fatehpur Sikri.

He also built the Temple of Govind Dev in Vrindavan.

Important developments during Akbar’s reign:

The architecture at Fatehpur Sikri is an excellent blending of Persian, Central Asian, and various Indian (Bengal and Gujarat) styles.

Extensive use of red sandstone.

Indian elements such as deep eaves, balconies, and kiosks of the Bengal and Gujrat styles blended with Central Asian component of glazed tiles.

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2021-08-31 09:57:18 Architectural Development under Sher Shah Suri (Sur Dynasty)

He built the Quila-e-Quanah mosque of Old Fort in Delhi, Rohtas Fort in Pakistan, Sher Shah Suri Masjid in Patna in Afghan-style and the famous Grand Trunk Road.

His period saw the transition from Lodhi style to the Mughal style of architecture.

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2021-08-30 18:18:37 With reference to Ashokan Pillar inscriptions, which of the following statements is/are correct:

1. The inscriptions were deciphered by James Princep

2. In eastern India, the script found was Kharoshthi script

3. The inscriptions contained moral and religious precepts of Ashoka

4. One of the inscriptions found at Kandahar is bilingual Open / Comment

2021-08-30 17:56:15 Architectural Development under Humayun

He succeeded Babur, but throughout his reign, he was constantly embroiled in a struggle with Sher Shah Suri.

He laid the foundation of the city named Dinpanah but could not finish it. Humayun's Tomb, also known as the precursor of the Taj Mahal was the first imposing structure of the Mughals which was built by his widow Hamida Begum and designed by Persian architect Mirak Mirza Ghiyas.

The mausoleum built upon a raised platform is a mix of Indian and Persian artistry using red sandstone and white marble. It has a Persian Charbagh style.

The tomb was declared as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1993.

The Taj Mahal is the climax and therefore perhaps the most famous monument built under the Charbagh layout.

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