5. Art & Culture: Performing Arts, Fine Arts, Handicrafts, Architecture, Monuments

CORE Key Points at a Glance

1. 1

   4 UNESCO World Heritage Inscriptions in Rajasthan

   • Keoladeo National Park, Bharatpur (1985)
   • Jantar Mantar, Jaipur (2010)
   • Hill Forts of Rajasthan — 6 forts under a single serial nomination (2013)
   • Walled City of Jaipur (2019)
   • The Hill Forts serial nomination counts as 1 inscription covering 6 forts — so Rajasthan has 4 inscriptions, not 6
2. 2

   Six Hill Forts of Rajasthan (UNESCO 2013)

   • Chittorgarh, Kumbhalgarh, Ranthambhor, Gagron, Amber, and Jaisalmer
   • Span 8th–18th centuries CE
   • Inscribed as a single serial property under criteria (ii) and (iv)
3. 3

   Mehrangarh Fort — Jodhpur

   • Founded 1459 CE by Rao Jodha; rises 122 metres above the city
   • Moti Mahal, Sheesh Mahal, and Phool Mahal represent three distinct phases of Rajput palace architecture within one fort
   • Among India's most imposing fort settings
4. 4

   Dilwara Temples — Mount Abu

   • 11th–13th centuries CE; finest examples of Māru-Gurjara Jain temple architecture
   • Vimal Vasahi (1031 CE) and Luna Vasahi (1231 CE) feature carved white Makrana marble
   • Exterior plain; interior an explosion of intricate sculptural detail
5. 5

   Ranakpur Chaturmukha Jain Temple

   • Built 1437–1458 CE by Dharana Shah under Mewar's Rana Kumbha; architect Depaka
   • 1,444 uniquely carved pillars — no two alike; spread across 29 halls (mandapas)
   • Four-directional (chaturmukha) plan; exemplifies Nagara-style Jain architecture
6. 6

   8 Principal Schools of Miniature Painting — Rajputana

   • Mewar, Bundi, Kota, Bikaner, Marwar (Jodhpur), Kishangarh, Jaipur, and Nathdwara
   • Collectively called the Rajput Painting Tradition (राजपूत चित्र परंपरा)
   • Each emerged from a specific court and developed distinctive stylistic features
7. 7

   Kishangarh School — Distinctive Markers

   • Elongated facial features — the "Kishangarh eye" (बनी-ठनी नैन): arched brows, lotus-petal eyes, sharp chin
   • Iconic portrait of Bani Thani painted by Nihal Chand c. 1750 CE — called "Mona Lisa of India"
   • India Post issued a commemorative stamp on Bani Thani in 1973
8. 8

   Pichwai and Phad — Living Cloth Painting Traditions

   • Pichwai (Nathdwara): Large cloth backdrops depicting Lord Srinath ji; 24 distinct designs for 24 Hindu festivals
   • Phad (Bhilwara): 30-feet-long cloth scroll narrating sagas of folk deities Pabuji and Devnarayan
   • Phad is performed live by Bhopa-Bhopi bard pairs using the Ravanhatha instrument
9. 9

   Blue Pottery — Jaipur's Signature Craft

   • Uses no clay — body made from quartz stone powder, glass powder, and Multani mitti
   • Turquoise-blue glaze comes from cobalt oxide; other colours use different metallic oxides
   • GI-tagged; Persian-Mughal origin; brought to Jaipur by Maharaja Sawai Ram Singh II
10. 10

    Ghoomar and Kathputli — Rajasthan's Performing Icons

    • Ghoomar: Circular women's dance of Bhil/Rajput communities; performed in flared ghagra; designated State Dance (2023)
    • Kathputli: String puppetry originating with the Bhat community of Nagaur district; 1,000-year tradition
    • Both globally promoted by Rajasthan's tourism campaigns
11. 11

    Jantar Mantar — Jaipur's Astronomical Observatory

    • Built 1727–1734 CE by Maharaja Sawai Jai Singh II; UNESCO World Heritage Site (2010)
    • Contains 19 astronomical instruments; largest and best-preserved of 5 observatories built by Jai Singh II
    • Samrat Yantra — world's largest sundial at 27 metres — measures time to 2-second accuracy
12. 12

    Hawa Mahal — Palace of Winds, Jaipur

    • Built 1799 CE by Maharaja Sawai Pratap Singh; architect Lal Chand Ustad
    • 953 small jharokhas on a five-storey, 15-metre facade; only 1 room deep
    • Designed to resemble Krishna's crown; allowed purdah women to observe street festivals
13. 13

    35 GI-Tagged Crafts — Highest Among All Indian States

    • Kota Doria saree, Sanganeri block print, Bagru print, Jodhpur stone carvings
    • Bidri work of Bikaner, Thewa jewellery of Pratapgarh, Molela terracotta of Rajsamand
    • Approx. 25 lakh artisans employed; sector contributes significantly to state exports