Architectural decoration in Indian architecture
This article is about the Indian architectural element. For West African jali poets, see
Griot
.
A
jali
or
jaali
(
j?l?
, meaning "net") is the term for a perforated stone or
latticed
screen
, usually with an ornamental pattern constructed through the use of
calligraphy
,
geometry
or natural patterns. This form of architectural decoration is common in
Indo-Islamic architecture
and more generally in
Indian architecture
.
It is closely related to
mashrabiya
in Islamic architecture.
[2]
According to Yatin Pandya, the
jali
allows light and air in while minimizing the sun and the rain, as well as providing cooling through
passive ventilation
.
[3]
The holes are nearly the same width or smaller than the thickness of the stone, thus providing structural strength. It has been observed that humid areas like
Kerala
and
Konkan
have larger holes with overall lower opacity than compared with the dry climate regions of
Gujarat
and
Rajasthan
.
[3]
With the widespread use of glass in the late 19th century, and compactness of the residential areas in modern India,
jalis
became less frequent for privacy and security matters.
[4]
In the 21st century, it has gained popularity again as a
low-energy building
solution for the environmental footprint of energy use by buildings.
[2]
History
[
edit
]
The earliest
sanctuaries
in India, dedicated to
Buddhism
,
Jainism
and
Hinduism
, were often dimly lit and confined, resembling natural
caves
. Worshippers gathered in front of the sanctuaries' doorways for prayers and offerings. To control the harsh daylight entering the
temples
, screens known as
jalis
were used to filter and soften the light, encouraging devotion and directing attention to the sacred images. The tradition of using jalis persisted in later
Indian architecture
, including Hindu and Jain temples. Over time, the designs of
jalis
evolved, incorporating geometric and naturalistic patterns. With the advent of
Islamic architecture
in
Gujarat
, the use of
jalis
expanded and became a prominent feature in
mosques
and tombs, following the same symbolic importance of light in
Islam
. The adoption of
jalis
in Islamic buildings shows a fusion of architectural styles and motifs from Hindu, Jain, and Islamic traditions, largely influenced by the guilds of masons working for patrons across different cultural backgrounds.
[5]
[6]
Early
jali
work with multiple geometric shapes was built by carving into stone, in
geometric patterns
(first appearing in the
Alai Darwaza
of 1305 at Delhi besides the
Qutub Minar
); later on, the
Mughals
used very finely carved plant-based designs (as at the
Taj Mahal
). They also often added
pietra dura
inlay to the surrounds using marble and
semi-precious
stones.
[7]
[
failed verification
]
In the
Gwalior Fort
near the Urwahi gate, there is a 17-line inscription dated Samvat 1553 mentioning names of some craftsmen and their creations. One of them is Khedu, who was an expert in
Gwaliyai jhilmili
(
jali
screens crafted in the Gwalior style).
[8]
The Mughal period tomb of
Muhammad Ghaus
, built in 1565 AD at Gwalior, is remarkable for its stone
jalis
.
[9]
Many of Gwalior's 19th-century houses used stone
jalis
.
Jalis
are used extensively in Gwalior's
Usha Kiran Palace
Hotel, formerly Scindia's guest house.
Museum collections
[
edit
]
Some of the
jalis
are in major museums in the U.S. and Europe. These include the
Indianapolis Museum of Art
,
[10]
the
Metropolitan Museum of Art
[11]
and the
Victoria and Albert Museum
.
[12]
Illustrations
[
edit
]
See also
[
edit
]
References
[
edit
]
- ^
a
b
Azmi, Feza Tabassum (20 September 2022).
"How India's lattice buildings cool without air con"
.
www.bbc.com
.
- ^
a
b
Pandya, Yatin (16 October 2011).
"Yatin Pandya on 'jaali' as a traditional element"
.
DNA India
. Retrieved
1 October
2022
.
- ^
Satyaprakash Varanashi (30 January 2011).
"The multi-functional jaali"
.
The Hindu
. Retrieved
18 January
2016
.
- ^
"Jali by Mapin Publishing - Issuu"
.
issuu.com
. 2 November 2021
. Retrieved
6 August
2023
.
- ^
Jali: Lattice of Divine Light, with Navina Najat Haidar
, retrieved
6 August
2023
- ^
Thapar, Bindia (2004).
Introduction to Indian architecture
. Singapore: Tuttle Publishing. p. 81.
ISBN
9781462906420
.
- ^
Hariharnivas Dvidedi, Gwalior ke Tomar, 1976, p. 378-380
- ^
Nonperiodic Octagonal Patterns from a Jali Screen in the Mausoleum of Muhammad Ghaus in Gwalior and Their Periodic Relatives, Emil Makovicky & Nicolette M. Makovicky ,Nexus Network Journal volume 19, pages 101?120 (2017)
- ^
JALI PANEL (INDIA), LATE 19TH CENTURY
- ^
Pierced Window Screen (Jali) early 17th century
- ^
Drawing ca.1882 (made)
Sources
[
edit
]
External links
[
edit
]
Wikimedia Commons has media related to
Jali
.
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