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Stepwell
Stepwells (also known as vav or baori) are wells, cisterns or ponds with a long corridor of steps that descend to the water level. Stepwells played a significant role in defining subterranean architecture in western India from the 7th to the 19th century. Some stepwells are multi-storeyed and can be accessed by a Persian wheel which is pulled by a bull to bring water to the first or second floor. They are most common in western India and are also found in the other more arid regions of the Indian subcontinent, extending into Pakistan. The construction of stepwells is mainly utilitarian, though they may include embellishments of architectural significance, and be temple tanks. Stepwells are examples of the many types of storage and irrigation tanks that were developed in India, mainly to cope with seasonal fluctuations in water availability. A basic difference between stepwells on one hand, and tanks and wells on the other, is that stepwells make it easier for people to reach ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Mata Bhavani's Stepwell
Mata Bhavani's Stepwell or Mata Bhavani ni Vav is a stepwell in Asarwa area of Ahmedabad, Gujarat, India. History and architecture Mata Bhavani's stepwell was built in the 11th century during Chaulukya dynasty rule in Gujarat. It is one of the earliest existing examples of stepwells in India. A long flight of steps leads to the water below a sequence of multi-story open pavilions positioned along the east–west axis. The elaborate ornamentation of the columns, brackets and beams are a prime example of how stepwells were used as a form of art. A much later constructed small shrine of Hindu Goddess Bhavani is located in the lower gallery from which the stepwell derived its name. It was built before the establishment of the modern city of Ahmedabad. The stepwell is 46 metres long and 5.1 metres wide at its entrance. It has three stories and three pavilions. The diameter of the well is 4.8 metres. See also * Dada Harir Stepwell * Amritavarshini Vav * Adalaj Stepwell * Jethabh ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Adi Kadi Vav
Adi Kadi Vav or Adi Chadi Vav is a stepwell in Uparkot Fort, Junagadh, Gujarat, India. The date of its construction is uncertain. History According to Junagadh district administration website, the stepwell was constructed in 15th century. Other sources says that it was constructed in second half of the 10th century or in 11th century during the rule of Chudasama dynasty. Another source says that it was constructed in 319 BCE and rediscovered in 976 CE. According to local historian Parimal Rupani, there were two separate stepwells. It is the Adi stepwell and the Kadi stepwell is still buried, according to him. It is a state protected monument (S-GJ-114). Architecture Adi Kadi Vav is a Nanda type of stepwell. It is not built but carved out of solid natural rock. There is a flight of 166 steps in a narrow corridor to reach well shaft. A small window is carved in the thin rock layer above the well. The rock strata is visible in the eroded walls. The well is 123 feet deep. There i ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Temple Tank
Temple tanks are water well, wells or reservoirs built as part of the temple complex near Indian temples. They are called pushkarini, kalyani, kunda, sarovara, Theertham, tirtha, talab, pukhuri, ambalakkuḷam, etc. in different languages and regions of India. Some tanks are said to cure various diseases and maladies when bathed in. It is possible that these are cultural remnants of structures such as the Great Bath, Mohenjo-daro, Great Bath of Mohenjo-daro or Dholavira, which was part of the Indus Valley civilization. Some are stepwells with many steps at the sides. Tank design Since ancient times, the design of water storage has been important in India's temple architecture, especially in western India where dry and monsoon seasons alternate. Temple tank design became an art form in itself. An example of the art of tank design is the large, geometrically spectacular Stepped Tank at the Royal Center at the ruins of Vijayanagara, the capital of the Vijayanagara Empire, surroundi ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Water Well
A well is an excavation or structure created on the earth by digging, driving, or drilling to access liquid resources, usually water. The oldest and most common kind of well is a water well, to access groundwater in underground aquifers. The well water is drawn up by a pump, or using containers, such as buckets that are raised mechanically or by hand. Water can also be injected back into the aquifer through the well. Wells were first constructed at least eight thousand years ago and historically vary in construction from a sediment of a dry watercourse to the qanats of Iran, and the stepwells and sakiehs of India. Placing a lining in the well shaft helps create stability, and linings of wood or wickerwork date back at least as far as the Iron Age. Wells have traditionally been sunk by hand digging, as is still the case in rural areas of the developing world. These wells are inexpensive and low-tech as they use mostly manual labour, and the structure can be lined with b ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Bhojpuri Language
Bhojpuri (IPA: ; Devanagari: , Kaithi: ) is an Indo-Aryan language native to the Bhojpuri region, Bhojpur-Purvanchal region of India and the Terai region of Nepal.:ethnologue:bho, Bhojpuri Ethnologue World Languages (2009) It is chiefly spoken in eastern Uttar Pradesh, western Bihar, and northwestern Jharkhand in India, as well as western Madhesh Province, Madhesh, eastern Lumbini Province, Lumbini. It is also a minority language in Fiji, Mauritius, Suriname and historically primarily in the Natal (province), Natal province of South Africa. Fiji Hindi, an official language of Fiji, is a dialect of Bhojpuri spoken by the Indo-Fijians. Caribbean Hindustani is spoken by the Indo-Caribbean people in Guyana, Suriname, Jamaica and Trinidad and Tobago. In Mauritius, it is a recognised by the government and taught in university as well. Bhojpuri language is listed as potentially vulnerable language, vulnerable in the UNESCO World Atlas of Languages. Name The oldest presence of the ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Bhinmal
Bhinmal (previously Shrimal Nagar) is an ancient town in the Jalore District of Rajasthan, India. It is south of Jalore. Bhinmal was the early capital of Gurjaradesa, comprising modern-day southern Rajasthan and northern Gujarat. The town was the birthplace of the Sanskrit poet Magha and mathematician-astronomer Brahmagupta. History The original name of Bhinmal was Bhillamala. Its older name was Srimal, from which Shrimali Brahmins took their name. Xuanzang, the Chinese Buddhist pilgrim who visited India between 631 and 645 AD during Harsha's reign, mentioned this place as ''Pi-lo-mo-lo''. There are different views about the origin of its name. It is suggested that it may from its Bhil population, whereas Shrimalamahatmaya said the name arose because of the poverty caused by Islamic invaders, which caused most of its people to migrate from the area. It was the early capital of the kingdom of Gurjaradesa. The kingdom is first mentioned in Banabhatta's ''Harshacharita'' in ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Rajkot District
Rajkot district is one of the 33 districts of the Indian state of Gujarat. Located in Saurashtra (region), Saurashtra peninsula, Rajkot city is the administrative headquarters of the district. It is the third-most advanced and the fourth-most populous district in Gujarat. This district is surrounded by Morbi district, Morbi district in north, Surendranagar District, Surendranagar and Botad district, Botad districts in east, Amreli district, Amreli and Junagadh District, Junagadh districts in south and Porbandar district, Porbandar and Jamnagar district, Jamnagar districts in west. The district occupies an area of 11203 km2. Origin of name The district is named after its headquarters, Rajkot city. The name of the city of Rajkot (literally means the city of princes) was probably derived froRaju Sandhi the co-founder of the erstwhile princely state of Rajkot State, Rajkot in 1620. Geography The city is situated between 23°08' North latitude and 20º58' North latitude and 71� ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Dhank
Dhank () is a wilayah (province) of Ad Dhahirah Governorate in Oman. It borders the provinces of Al Buraimi on the northwest, Ibri on the southwest and Yanqul on the east. It has many valleys, such as Wadi Al Fateh and Wadi Qumeirah. In October 1870, it saw the Battle of Dhank, between the forces of Omani Imam Azzan bin Qais and Sultan of Muscat Turki bin Said. The battle, won by Turki bin Said, was a key conflict to establishing the Sultanate of Muscat and Oman. Climate In the afternoon, mild bouts of overcast. Temperatures vary between 25 and 32°C. Tourist attractions Dhank is surrounded by many wadis Wadi ( ; ) is a river valley or a wet ( ephemeral) riverbed that contains water only when heavy rain occurs. Wadis are located on gently sloping, nearly flat parts of deserts; commonly they begin on the distal portions of alluvial fans and e ..., which are among the notable tourist destinations in the wilayat. Among the wadis, Wadi Al Fateh is famous for its mou ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Maitraka
The Maitraka dynasty ruled the Kingdom of Valabhi in western India from approximately 475 to 776 from their capital at Vallabhi. With the sole exception of Dharapaṭṭa (the fifth king in the dynasty), who is associated with sun-worship, they were followers of Shaivism. Their origin is uncertain but they were probably Chandravanshi Kshatriyas. Following the decline of the Gupta Empire, Maitraka dynasty was founded by ''Senapati'' (general) Bhaṭārka, who was a military governor of Saurashtra under Gupta Empire, who had established himself as the independent around 475 CE. The first two Maitraka rulers Bhaṭārka and Dharasena I used only the title of ''Senapati'' (general). The third ruler Droṇasiṁha declared himself as the ''Maharaja''. During the reign Dhruvasena I, Jain council at Vallabhi was probably held. The next ruler Dharapaṭṭa is the only ruler considered as a sun-worshipper. King Guhasena stopped using the term ''Paramabhattaraka Padanudhyata'' along ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Western Satrap
The Western Satraps, or Western Kshatrapas (Brahmi: , ''Mahakṣatrapa'', "Great Satraps") were Indo-Scythian (Saka) rulers of the western and central parts of India (extending from Saurashtra (region), Saurashtra in the south and Malwa in the east, covering modern-day Sindh, Gujarat, Maharashtra, Rajasthan and Madhya Pradesh states), between 35 and 415 CE. The Western Satraps were contemporaneous with the Kushan Empire, Kushans who ruled the northern part of the Indian subcontinent, and were possibly vassals of the Kushans. They were also contemporaneous with the Satavahana who ruled in Central India. They are called "Western Satraps" in modern historiography in order to differentiate them from the "Northern Satraps", who ruled in Punjab and Mathura until the 2nd century CE. The power of the Western Satraps started to decline in the 2nd century CE after the Saka rulers were defeated by the Emperor Gautamiputra Satakarni of the Satavahana dynasty. After this, the Saka kingdom re ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Junagadh
Junagadh () is the city and headquarters of Junagadh district in the Indian state of Gujarat. Located at the foot of the Girnar hills, southwest of Ahmedabad and Gandhinagar (the state capital), it is the seventh largest city in the state. It is dominated by the Chudasama clan of Rajputs since ancient times. Literally translated, Junagadh means "Old Fort". It was a part of Saurashtra state and later Bombay state. In 1960, in consequence of the Maha Gujarat movement, it became part of the newly formed Gujarat state. History Early history As per the legend, the founder of the Ror Dynasty Raja Dhaj, Ror Kumar, also known as Rai Diyach, Rai Dyach, ruled over the principality of Jhunagarh in the fifth century BC. An early structure, Uparkot Fort, is located on a plateau in the middle of town. It was originally built in 319 BCE during the Mauryan dynasty by Chandragupta Maurya, Chandragupta. The fort remained in use until the 6th century, after which it was abandoned for appro ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Junagadh Buddhist Cave Groups
Junagadh Cave Groups are located in Junagadh district of the Indian state of Gujarat. These caves group includes Uparkot Caves, Khapra Kodiya Caves and Baba Pyare Caves. Three separate sites of rooms carved out of stone to be used as monks' quarters. These caves were carved starting from Emperor Ashoka's period up to 1st–4th century AD. Khapra Kodiya Caves The oldest, the Khapra Kodiya Caves, Khapara Kodia Caves, on the basis of scribbles and short cursive letters on the wall, are dated to 3rd-4th century BC during the Emperor Ashoka’s rule and are plainest of all cave groups. These caves are also known as Khangar Mahal. They were carved into living rock during the reign of Emperor Ashoka and are considered the earliest monastic settlement in the area. These caves are along the edge of the ancient Sudarshan Lake and little outside Uparkot fort, Northerly. They are carved out in an east–west longitudinal ridge. Caves are small in area. But, it has unique architecture of the ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
