ARCHITECTURAL HERITAGE
Some Architectural Details You Should Familiarise Yourself With
SANTI HANDS : - At the entrances of the most forts, you will see
imprints of impresions of female hands, These were left behind by the women
of the royal family when committing sati (burning on the funeral pyre with
their husbands)
JAUHAR PITS : - Mostly closed to visitors, these were basement
pits ringed with a ramp. It was here that the women of the zenana and small
children would leap to a fiery death in the event of their armies losing
a battle, It was not unusual for thousands to commit jauhar at any point.
CHHATRI : - A cenotaph or memorial raised to a dead ruler
or feudal chief
BAORI : Stepwell considered of great significance in this dry country
and therefore embellished with ornamentation, Stepwells were mostly dug
and build as acts of philanthrophy.
HAVELI - A large mansion or townhouse built typically with
a public area for men to recerive visitors in the front. The domestic quarters
were usually ranged around a courtyard.
MAHAL
: Literally palaces, apartments within forts were individually called
mahals because each served its own purpose, Therefore a fort or even
a palace would consist of several apartments, each called a mahal.
JHOROKHA : A window with a projection and sometimes even a balcony
almost always with a pierced screen that ensured privacy and ornamental
overhangs.
POL : Entrance or gateway Though defensive by nature, they were usually
also decorated.
