Monuments of Champaner-Pavagadh Archaeological Park
![](http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/d/d4/%27Champaneer%2C_near_Baroda%2C_India._Febr._1879%27.jpg/220px-%27Champaneer%2C_near_Baroda%2C_India._Febr._1879%27.jpg)
There are eleven different types of buildings at the UNESCO-protected Champaner-Pavagadh Archaeological Park in Gujarat, India, including mosques, temples, granaries, tombs, wells, walls, and terraces.[1][2][3][4][5] The monuments are situated at the foot of and around the Pavagadh Hill. The Baroda Heritage Trust lists 114 monuments in the area, of which only 39 are maintained by the Archaeological Survey of India, due to limited funding.[6] The Forest Department owns 94% of the land here, while the temple trusts and other sectarian establishments provide facilities for boarding and lodging to pilgrims and tourists. On the southern side near the foot of the hill some dilapidated houses and the foundations of Jain temples can also be seen.[6][5]
Some of the major monuments are as follows:[1]
Religious buildings
Mosques
Among the five mosques which are in very good condition, the
Other notable mosques in the heritage area are: the
Jami Masjid
The building is double-storied,
Kevda Masjid and cenotaph
![](http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/8/8f/Kevda_Masjid_07.jpg/220px-Kevda_Masjid_07.jpg)
The mosque at
This mosque was built in Champaner during the time of
Nagina Masjid and cenotaph
![](http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/0/07/General_view_of_the_Nagina_Masjid%2C_Champaner.jpg/220px-General_view_of_the_Nagina_Masjid%2C_Champaner.jpg)
Within the precincts of the masjid there are a few brick structures, and step wells. Northeast of the masjid is the cenotaph, which has openings on all four sides and whose frontage, columns and niches are artistically carved with floral and geometrical designs. A series of beautifully designed projecting
Lila Gumbaj Ki Masjid
![](http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/6/67/Champaner%2C_Lila_Gumbaj_Ki_Masjid_%289840188055%29.jpg/220px-Champaner%2C_Lila_Gumbaj_Ki_Masjid_%289840188055%29.jpg)
Sahar Ki Masjid
![](http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/a/a6/Sahar_ki_Masjid_-_2.jpg/220px-Sahar_ki_Masjid_-_2.jpg)
This masjid near the royal palace, very large and imposing, was for the exclusive use of the Sultans. It has five mehrabs. At the front, the entrance has an arched doorway with a large dome, with smaller domes at the four sides and minarets on either side embellished with a projection which is inclined chhajja. The other two openings flanking the central doorway are embellished with jharokhas. A rectangular ablution tank is seen on the platform.[3][1]
Bawaman Mosque
This mosque, located on the western side of the fort gate, is named after Bawaman, a follower of
Kamani Masjid
Kamani Masjid is so named since it has architectural features of pillars and arches in the hall. The central hall also has a marble-roofed dome fixed with glazed tiles.[1] It is situated near the distant signal of Pavagadh's railroad station in the northbound direction, towards Sivarajpur.[19]
Ek-Minar Ki Masjid
This masjid built by Bahadur Shah (1526–36 AD) on a high plinth has a single minaret (Ek-Minar), while all other architectural features have disappeared.[1]
Panch-Mahuda-Ki Masjid, Halol
This masjid, also built on a high platform, is severely damaged and only the corner minarets can be seen.[1]
Temples
Lakulisa temple
The earliest temple on the Pavagadh hill in the Mauliya plateau is dated to the 10th–11th centuries and is dedicated to
MahaKali Mata Temple
The most visited temple on the hill (summit 800 metres (2,600 ft)) is the
Jain temples
![](http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/8/86/Jain_Temple%2C_Pavagadh_%28cropped%29.jpg/200px-Jain_Temple%2C_Pavagadh_%28cropped%29.jpg)
The temples of
Tombs and mausoleums
Sikandar Shah’s Tomb, the tomb of the last ruler of Champaner, who was assassinated by Imad-ul-Mulk, Khusqadam in 1526 A.D., is seen near Halol. It is a single-storey building in Muslim architectural style. It consists of a central chamber and entrance porches with fluted domes. The brick dome of the central chamber and the side chamber have collapsed. Sikandar Shah’s brothers, Latifkhan and Nasirkhan, were also buried here. The structure is very simple but the brackets, plinth base and finial of the dome are elaborately carved with floral and geometrical patterns.[1]
The shrine of Khon pir, a saint, a colourful tomb, was a place of worship of the weaver community (Muslims known as Tais) of Champaner.[5]
The tomb near Panch Mahuda-Ki Masjid has a rectangular layout. There are four arched entrances with two small ones on the flanks built facing in the cardinal directions and the tomb has two corner minarets built over a high plinth.[1]
The tomb with a brick dome in the centre and small corner domes was built with bricks. It was one of the first such tombs to be built of bricks in Gujarat. It has arched openings on all four sides. The domed chamber built over an
Fortresses and walls
The fortress built by the
Fort of Pavagadh and the ruined Hindu and Jain Temples on the top of the Pavagadh Hill
This famous Hindu fort built by the Solanki kings of Gujarat and improved by Khichi Chauhans is part of the Pavagadh hill landscape. Within the fort wall, there are many religious structures. Of these, the earliest temple, dated to the 10th-11th century and dedicated to Lakulisa, is in the Mauliya plateau. What is left of the temple are the gudhamandapa (sanctum sanctorum) and a portion of the antarala. The other temples, built by Hindus and by Jains, are dated to approximately the 13th-15th centuries; all the temples are built in the Nagara style of architecture with a garbhagriha, a mandapa and a porch at the entrance.[1]
Three cells
The building with three cells located within the fort walls is conjectured to have been constructed during the rule of Mahmud begada.[1]
![](http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/c/cd/Champaner_citadel_walls.jpg/220px-Champaner_citadel_walls.jpg)
Walls
Several enclosure walls remain, such as those built at the time of the citadel and the fort. The "Citadel Walls" refers to the walls of the fort, which is laid out in the north–south direction and is fortified with many bastions. It has four gates in good condition, which originally were double-storied, with rooms for housing the watch and guard staff.[1] The "City Walls at the Southeast Corner of the Citadel going up the hills" refers to the fort wall, built in ashlar stone masonry; four of its bastions are in good shape.[1] The "Walls of fort on top" refers to the walls of the fort, dated to approximately the 13th century, built in ashlar masonry.[1]
Gates
![](http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/1/13/Champaner_eastern_gate.jpg/220px-Champaner_eastern_gate.jpg)
The City Gate, initially two-storied, is in good condition. It has a projecting arch in the fort wall, which is laid out in the north–south direction. The very large East and South Bhadra gates of the fort built by Mahmud Begada are laid out on a rectangular plan and are named after the towns which they face towards, namely the Halol gate to the east and the Godhra gate to the south.[1]
Gate No. 1, the Atak gate (with two gateways) was built in the 13th century and is to the west end of the fort on the Pavagadh Hill. It ends near the Khaprakodia watch tower and continues further in an east–west direction; the main gate is hemmed with the Budhiya gate. Gate No. 2, the Budhiya gate (with three gateways), was also built in the 13th century and covers the western end of the fort on the Pavagadh Hill and ends near the Khaprakodia watch tower and continues thereafter in east–west direction with its main gate hemmed with the Atak gate. Gate No. 3, the Moti gate or Sadanshah gate, refers to the gate on the Machi plateau which has four gates, each built on a successively lower level and joined by massive bastions. These are double gates. The Moti gate represents the second line of defence, which is most formidable. Sadan Shah Gate is cut through solid rock above which there are tall walls and bastions dating to approximately the 13th century. Gate No. 4 has big bastions and cells in the interior. This gate is part of the third line of defence of the fortification. It has a circuitous passage and was built in-situ of solid rock. The walls are towering and provided with bastions which also date to approximately the 13th century. Gate No. 5, the Gulan-Bulan gate, was built in the 13th century and was integral to the ridge fortification behind the Sat Manzil. Gate No. 6, Buland Darwaja, is of 13th-century vintage, built on the hill near Makai Kothar, and has strong fortifications on its flanks. Gate No. 7, the Makai gate, was also built in the 13th century. It is between gates 6 and 8. It is similar in architectural style to the other gates but has a
Palaces and pavilions
The palaces in the heritage site were built by different rulers over the period of the city's active existence as a capital and are nearly ruined. Gardens, fortifications and pavilions were integral to the palace environment. The pavilions of Champanar were known as "pleasure pavilions".
Patai Rawal’s Palace with Tank was built by Jai Singh, last in the Patai Rawal family line of succession, in the 13th century. The ruins of his palace are situated to the south-east of the Machi plateau. Excavations have shown that the rooms of the palace were built of rubble plastered with lime, and some covered water cisterns were also unearthed.[1]
Kabutarkhana Pavilion is situated on the north bank of Bada Talao near Khajuri Masjid.[25] Basically a sarai, a small structure made of bricks and lime plaster, it was built next to the Vada Talav or pond.[1]
Other structures
![](http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/7/7c/Navlakha_Kothar_ASI_GJ_115.jpg/220px-Navlakha_Kothar_ASI_GJ_115.jpg)
- Helical Stepped Well
This
- Mint above gate No. 4
This small structure was built during the 15th century near Gate no. 4, to serve as a
- Sat Manzil with steps right up to bastion on top
The seven-storied watchtower was built during the 15th century. Only four storeys survive, while traces of the rest can be seen close to the cliff, with a stone staircase.[1]
- Mandvi or Custom House
The well laid out square structure in the center of Champaner's fort was an exclusive and separate enclosure for royalty visiting as guests of the kings. When
- Granaries
Makai Kothar is a three-domed structure which was part of the military establishment and used as a store house ("kothar") for maize ("makai"). Navlakha Kothar is a large brick structure overlooking a steep cliff. It was used to store grains.[1]
It is a beautiful place to visit during July to September.
References
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- ^ a b c d "Advisory Body Evaluation, Champaner-Pavagadh (India) No 1101" (PDF). United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization. pp. 26–29. Retrieved 24 September 2012.
- ^ a b c d e f "Mosques of Champaner". Official Web site of Government of Gujarat Tourism. Archived from the original on 16 October 2011. Retrieved 29 September 2012.
- ^ a b c "Champaner: Central mehrab in the Jama mosque". Onlinegallery, British Library, UK. Retrieved 29 September 2012.
- ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m Bombay Gazetteer 1879, pp. 304–309.
- ^ ISBN 9781441900715. Retrieved 23 September 2012.
- ^ "Champaner-Pavagadh". Worldheritagesite.org. Archived from the original on 6 October 2012. Retrieved 23 September 2012.
- ^ a b c d "United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) Fact Sheet". United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization. Retrieved 24 September 2012.
- ^ ISBN 978-1-74179-151-8. Retrieved 29 September 2012.
- ISBN 978-0-8047-3329-8. Retrieved 29 September 2012.
- ^ a b c B. Busa Goud. "Scientific Conservation of World Heritage Monuments of Champaner-Pavgadh" (PDF). UNESCO. Org. Retrieved 29 September 2012.[permanent dead link]
- ^ ISBN 978-0-9789517-0-2. Retrieved 29 September 2012.
- ^ ISBN 978-1-4053-8849-8. Retrieved 29 September 2012.
- ISBN 978-1-4419-0071-5. Retrieved 29 September 2012.
- ^ Congress (2003). Proceedings of the Indian History Congress. Indian History Congress. p. 342. Retrieved 29 September 2012.
- ISBN 978-81-85120-17-1. Retrieved 29 September 2012.
- ^ Gujarat (India) (1972). Gujarat State Gazetteers: Panchmahals. Directorate of Government Print., Stationery and Publications, Gujarat State. pp. 95, 762, 768. Retrieved 29 September 2012.
- ^ a b c Beri, Rekha Beri (March 12, 2008). "Scientific Conservation of World Heritage Monuments of Champaner-Pavagadh". pp. 4, 5, 7. Archived from the original on December 28, 2015. Retrieved 30 September 2012.
- ^ Archaeological Survey of India. Western Circle (1922). Archaeology, progress report (Public domain ed.). Bombay (India : State). General Dept. p. 125. Retrieved 30 September 2012.
- ^ a b "Champaner-Pavagarh Archaeological Park (2004), Gujarat". National InformaticCentre (NIC) for Arechaeological Survey of India (ISI). Archived from the original on 2012-05-01. Retrieved 24 September 2012.
- ^ Vyas, Rajnee (2006). Welcome to Gujarat. Akshara Prakashan. p. 128. Retrieved 28 September 2012.
- ^ Limca Book of Records. Bisleri Beverages Ltd. 1990. Retrieved 28 September 2012.
- ^ "Champaner-Pavagadh: Shwetamber Jain Temple". 18 August 2008.
- ^ "www.Jinalaya.com - Shri Pavagadh Tirth - Jain Temples in Gujarat". Archived from the original on 2016-08-01. Retrieved 2016-09-01.
- ^ India. Superintendent of Census Operations, Gujarat (1964). Panchmahals. Director, Government Print. and Stationery, Gujarat State. p. 188. Retrieved 28 September 2012.
Bibliography
- Gazetteer of the Bombay Presidency, Bombay (India :State). Vol. 3. Government Central Press. 1879. pp. 304–309. Retrieved 23 September 2012.