CENTER FOR ART AND ARCHAEOLOGY

Chokkeeswara Temple, Kanchipuram, Tamil Nadu

Chola Temples

The tomb of Jamal Khan was built by Jamal Khan himself during his life time. Scholars believe that he was an Afghan noble. The Tomb or Gumbad (popular name for tombs) is a big square building with its corners accentuated by circular turrets and was built in Tughlaq style during 14th century AD. It has been designed to appear like a double storey structure though it is of a single storey only. The impression of double storey has been created by providing two tiers of Tughlaq style arches in a veranda running round the single storey chamber building. For a long time after the Tomb/Gumbad was built, the structure remained unattended and, hence, became a refuge for thugs and thieves, because of which the building acquired the notorious name of Chor Gumbad. The tomb/gumbad today stands in splendid isolation in the middle of a manicured “Netaji Subhash Park”.

Chorao, Baroque Architecture, Goa

Chota Kailasa, Ellora, Maharashtra

The talav is a stepped water body surrounded with small platforms with small pavilions. The pavilions or chattris are octagonal in shape, with cusped arched openings and are covered with domes. The Chattris are constructed of red sandstone. The Talav is in a fairly good state, clean and well maintained by the owners, who are descendents of Seth Chuhimal. The soruce of water is perennial from a nearby canal. Provision was also made to channelise the rain water into the tank. Remains of the man-made water channels can still be traced.