Bundi a domain of the chauhan Rajput rulers falls in the Hadauti region of Rajasthan India. Referring to the region they were called Hada Chauhan, situated amidst the hills of the aravali region Bundi offers a priceless heritage . Boondi is famous for its artistic paintings infact monuments of Bundi are a living school of art. The Bundi miniature paintings are a heritage excelled and mastered in so many centuries. The kings of Bundi built beautiful forts and palaces and these palaces were embellished by the master craftsmen coming from different areas of India. There are manmade lakes, there are the chhatris, infact Bundi is a destination not to be missed. Though not as popular as Jaipur and Udaipur but the architecture is no where less on any aspect. There are tremendous architectural epitomes reached in Bundi by the kings of the ruling clan. Bundi was ruled by the Meena and Parihar tribes.The chauhan took over from a meena king and thus the foundation of the Chauhan dynasty was laid in the fourteenth century. Bundi fort indeed is a celebration of the Rajputana art in dire need of conservations. Tourism can certainly help in large scale conservation and restoration of the heritage for our future generations. The art is indeed without a parallel and is a shared heritage of the mankind.
Taragarh Fort : - The name Tara garh comes from the shape of the palace walls on top of the hill, these high ramparts are shaped like a star perched on the highest part of the Aravali hill. The round huge bastions on the extreme corner of the ramparts were a pure defense structures housing cannons. Bhim burja one of these Burj is the top most part of the Tara garh fort. The entire Bundi city lies underneath unlike other forts and palaces of Rajasthan which are made on the top of the hills, the fort and palaces of Bundi are constructed on the slopes of the hill the palaces appear like a cascade gently flowing down from the top to the bottom of the valley. The fort and the palace have been crafted from the yellow sand stone mined from the local Aravali hills its called as patohad stone in local parlance. The Taragarh fort also has the huge tank for storage and conservation of rain water.
Taragarh Palaces: - The palatial complex comprising of many palaces on the slope of the cliff housing the Tara Garh Fort.
Hathi Poll : - The architecture in Taragarh is pure Hindu. The elephants greet the incomers, these huge elephants have been remarkably crafted, The arch and the towers are pure ascribing to the Hindu architecture design, These elephants represent lord Ganesha –the elephant God who is present and in considered auspicious at the entrance of any house. The gates bear huge spikes to ward off any possible attacks, these spikes were aimed at the elephant employed in those days to break open the heavy doors.
Chattar Mahal : - The name comes from Chatrasal the great ruler of Bundi who was an able army general he commandeered the Mughal forces on some very important campaigns of deccan, he brought along these artists from Deccan , the palace has excellent miniature paintings based on the Hindu mythological figures, these miniatures display the deccan influence very profoundly the palace has an idol of Lord Ganesha. The classical example of Hindu style of architecture.
Zenana Mahal : – The palace of the royal ladies where they lived enjoyed and solemnized their day to day life, the courtyards surrounded by living spaces were used by the royal ladies for celebrations. A jhoola(swing) crafted in sand stone where the ladies enjoyed the evenings, The paintings are large with larger than life projection of the historical figures. The colours are vibrant and vivid.
Anirudh Mahal : - Built in 17th century has two distinct sections one is the large courtyard and the other are the series of pillars in front of a row of rooms , the palace again has been beautified with beautiful frescoes.
Fool Mahal : - A large hall was used as a private living room, this palace overlooks the garden. The miniatures relive the public life of Bundi at large, some paintings depict the celebrations like that of Holi (festival of colours). Bundi style of paintings is one of the most popular form of Rajput paintings.
Badal Mahal : - The earliest paintings can be seen at the Badal Mahal. This Palace has a clear inclination towards the western style of paintings. The ceilings remind the viewers of the European church architecture displaying elements of Gothic style. The Persian and Mughal influence can also be felt very strong at this palace. Some paintings also display the Chinese confluence. The walls are all covered resplendent with paintings a Grand show indeed.
Chaurasi Chattri : - The Chattris or the canopies are a tradition followed by Rajputs who built them as memorials for the dead. Rajput king Anirudh Singh constructed the canopy standing on 84 pillars representing the 84 million life forms a soul can be born. Some say this motivation comes from the 84 Asans (positions) of kamasutra. This canopy was made in memory of the foster brother of the King born to his foster mother. The canopies of the royal clan at kesar Bagh are constructed in white marble and display the royal life.
