Votive Stupa from Nalanda
Dated: ~7-8th century CE
Stupa is square at base and comprising three tiers. The square base is having slanting walls as observed in real temples too. Second tier of Stupa is octagonal relieved by arched niche(s). #architecture#history#india
Hemispherical dome(Anda) emerging from lotus form third tier of of stupa and in all likelihood, this is the form which inspired the great dome of Gol Gumbaj in Bijapur and all buildings of the region. Stupa were often modelled after actual temples.
Do read and RT!
Iconography and Symbolism: A thread on various aspect of the Hindu iconography
In this thread I'm going to highlight Hindu iconography and symbolism and deep philosophical meaning they carry.
1)Brahma from Aihole
His 4 faces are 4 Veda(s).His 4 arms are space.
2). Whole universe is composed of movable and immovable elements originating from Primeval waters(Apah in Vedas). Brahma holds these water hence Kamandalu represents those waters. Kala devours everything being and non-being(at the end, Pralaya) Akshamala represents Kala.
3) Garment is white and non white representing pious and non pious actions. Seven Hamsa(s) in Brahma's chariot are seven regions namely Bhuh, Bhuvah, Svara, Mahah, Jana, Tapa and Satya. Lotus that grew from the naval Vishnu is Meru holding this Universe.
Ancient ruins of temples in Rishiyan, a place named so because of the belief that 84000 ऋषि used to live here. The place is important as ShriRam visited this this place on his way to Chitrakoot. I've also observed some spectacular hydrological enginnering seen rately. 1/n
Here this one is most extant temple devoid of any deity. Stylistically it is similar to temples of region. I believe there were 3 such shrines with common Mandapa(like Trikuta temples of Hoysala). See the fineness of craftsmanship unfortunately most of it was smuggled.
Note rock cut sculptures of Ganesha and serene environment in Monsoons. See the ruins of temples scattered over a wide area. 3/n
Thread: A collection of drawings made by Oviyar Shilpi, famous for his detailed renditions of South Indian art and architecture.
Compilation credit: AnuSri
1. From VenuGopal shrine in SriRangam Temple 2. Saraswati 3. Ganesha and Chennakeshava Temple, Belur
1. Probably Belur 2. Ram and Sugriva from VaikunthaPerumal Temple 3. Dakshinamurti
A brief thread on the ancient history of Simraungarh and Mithila
1)Simraungarh is one of the most important archeological site, erstwhile capital of Karnata Dynasty between ~11-14th century CE. It is located on the border of Nepal and NE Bihar state.
2) The region was also known as Videha, Mithila, Tirabhukti or Tirhuta.
YajnaValkya, one of the Vedic Maharshi(s) belonged to this region.
Later Mithila region was ruled by Maurya(s), Gupta(s), Harsha, Pala(s). In 1097CE, the region passed on to the hands of Karnata Dynasty.
3) Karnata Dynasty ruled the region for nearly ~225 years until uprooted by Islamic invasion in mid 14th century CE. Simraungarh was their seat of power and even today we can see vast archeological remains.
👉Part of ruined temple, crowned miniature shrines
Thread on GunPowder
1)Finely crafted Cannon with tiger's head like opening, Mehrangarh Fort, Jodhpur (Rajasthan)
"India’s military technology is history’s greatest ‘hidden’ secret."
Until early 19th century CE, India alone had total monopoly over production of gunpowder.
2)"Unlike China, with an odd textual reference or a drawing or a singular artefact, was the entire industry in India – which remained unrivalled in the history of the world. Compared to China’s paltry production of gunpowder, India’s widespread and organized gunpowder production
3)...system points towards indigenous development. [There are reports, that in “664 an Indian visitor to China reportedly demonstrated the peculiar flamability of saltpeter and provided instructions on how to locate it (Pacey 1990, 16)."]”
Thread: Extent of India as per John Ogilby in 1673
1)A depiction of some avatars, John Ogilby, 1673
John Ogilby writes,"..India is divided into two great parts, whereof one, which extends from the River Indus to Ganges, is by
2)the Persians call'd Indostan, that is, The Countrey of Indus; and by the Greek and Latine Writers, India intra Gangem, or India within Ganges. The other part is call'd Mangi, or India extra Gangem, or Without Ganges.
3)The second part without Ganges contains the Kingdom of Bengala, Arracan, Pegu, Siam, Malacca, Cambaya, Champa, Lao, Cochinchina, besides many lesser, and lastly the vast Empire of China. Both these parts also comprehend divers Islands, a∣mongst which Japan is easternmost..."