CENTER FOR ART AND ARCHAEOLOGY

Monuments in Talania

This is a photograph collection of about 200 monuments protected by West Bengal State Department of Archaeology and Museums. The CA&A conducted photo and architectural documentation of these monuments between 2006-8 and created a detailed inventory for the archives of the Government of West Bengal.

Monuments of Delhi

Monuments, Sirhind

The Moorish Mosque is an early twentieth-century mosque located near Circular Road in the southern part of Kapurthala city and district of Punjab. Commissioned by Maharaja Jagatjit Singh Bahadur and designed by the French architect M. Manteaux, it was constructed between 1926 and 1930, drawing inspiration from the Qutbia Mosque in Marrakesh. Built using brick, marble, glass panels, and lime mortar, the mosque is distinguished by its arched cloisters, floral interior paintings, and a tall corner tower. The monument is protected by the Department of Cultural Affairs, Archaeology and Museums, Punjab and remains functional, largely well preserved, with minor paint deterioration visible on parts of the structure.

A group of 7 tombs is located on the eastern side of town on Jhajjar-Delhi road near Bua Ka Talab area. It was built during the Mughal reign between 1594- 1630. Each structure is located on a raised platform and approached by a flight of steps. Kankar limestone blocks have been employed for the construction along with red sandstone for decorative purpose. Mostly planned in symmetrical square, rectangular and octagonal shapes, the ceilings are domical. Some tombs have mosque or Idgah attached while others have chhatris or cupolas in the courtyard. Almost all the tombs bear inscriptions providing valuable information. Another of their characteristic features is the presence of medallions in the spandrels of arches. In addition to the tombs, the complex also houses six other structural remains and a huge water tank all spread in an area of 500 X 300 metres.