Medieval Monuments in India- A Historical and Architectural Study in Haryana (1206 A.D.-1707 A.D.)

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About the Book The present work is a documentation and history of every aspect of the monumental interest in Haryana, beginning from 1206 AD to 1707 AD. I important moss some 129 monuments, spread across the modern Haryana. It emphasizes the importance of particular tombs, mosques, sarias, havelis, forts, gates, baradaris, baolis, tanks, wells, kos minras, bridges, gardens etc. It mentions the location, structural plan, various elements of the structure and events associated with it. Most of these monuments are very important for our national importance and few of them are very dilapidated condition. Such an exhaustive study was not undertaken before nor is likely to be in future.

The importance of medieval monuments lies not only in its being an earliest account synthesizing the available information but also as a benchmark for the changes in the building and their landscape. The work is therefore of outstanding value notwithstanding the change in perception due to new material and research. The work is aimed at an attempt to focus light on the panoramic view of the architectural investigation in Haryana in the past and also by the author in recent years for better understanding of the architectural heritage lying hidden and gradually being exposed at the threshold of the orient.

Profusely illustrated with maps, drawing and photographs. The book embodies the latest researches on the subject and will fascinate not only the tourists, scholars, and serious students but also the lay readers.

About the Author Dr Jadish Parshad did his graduation from M.D. University Rohtak and he has done M.A. (History), M.A. (Ancient Indian History, Culture and Archaeology), M. Phil (Ancient Indian History, Culture and Archaeology) from Kurukshetra University and then Ph.D. (History of Art) from National Museum Institute, New Delhi.

He is very energetic, dynamic and dedicated young scholar of history and archaeology. He has attended many National and International Seminars. He has published many research papers in reputed Journals. He is a life membership of the 'Museum Association of India' and 'INTACH'. His forth coming books are 'Narnaul: Its History and Architecture' and Bhartiya Marnmurti Kala.

Preface Architecture is a source of history as well as a fine art and discipline in itself. It constitutes a veritable chronicle in stone. The stamp of an age and the people who lived in it their tastes, beliefs, ideals, standards and skills is most truthfully imprinted upon their monuments, without a knowledge of which the history of any period lacks that human interest with which it should be inverted.

India has a rich crop of medieval monuments which are scattered in every part of the country. Some monuments are recorded but other are still lying unnoticed and have still not found place in the records of Indian history. The theme of my work is 'Medieval Monuments in India: A Historical and Architectural Study in Haryana' on the basis of medieval structures. Monuments are an essential part of our city. These monuments are also linked directly with life of the inhabitants. Some scholar seems that there are no monuments in Haryana state but I clear the doubt that there is lot of medieval monuments scattered all over Haryana.

The present work is a survey of the rich medieval architectural heritage of the Haryana state. The book covers the monuments erected during the period 1206 AD to 1707 AD, ie., during the Sultanate and Mughal period. I have opted for a very appropriate subject to work on, monuments of great importance are lying in a neglected condition, and hence by working on the subject, I have brought out the general concern of the sensitivity towards our heritage.

The subject has divided into eight chapters. The first chapter describes the introduction of the subject. The second chapter briefly delineates the historical background of the state. After this chapter, I start the survey of monuments, classified on typological basis. The third and forth chapters describe mosques and tombs respectively. The fifth chapter covers monuments related with travel (sarai, kos-minars and bridges) all of which were built during the Mughal period. Sixth chapter deals with forts, gates, baradaris, and gardens from the subject matter. Seventh chapter comprises a survey of water-structures like baolis (stepwells), tanks and wells. And the last chapter describes the conclusion of the work.

I have put a great effort in this work, traveling through the length and breadth of the state of Haryana.

Introduction Haryana has a pretty rich cultural heritage. It has occupied a pride of place in and life centuries difficult count. On account of strategic position on the Khyber-Delhi route, and in the narrow corridor Shivalik ranges on the and the Thar the it has been playing an important role in the political history of India. On its security and care depended the security independence of the whole country for thousands of It was here, along the banks of the river Saraswati and Dhrisdavati; the Vedic civilization began and matured. It was here that the great ganas were born, and the great reform movements, the Jainism, Buddhism, Bhakti, etc. flourished. The great rivers, fertile soils and lasting peace gave birth to great wealth and richness to the people and made the Land, 'a noble place on the earth' - devabhoomi.2 What goes up, comes down - is a well-known rule of science. It is applicable to countries, kingdoms, and kings. They rise, they say, then fall. The 'rise' has in other words, the 'seed' of fall in it.

**Contents and Sample Pages**