Indian Heritage and Monuments

The Atala Masjid is located in Jaunpur, Uttar Pradesh. It was built by Sultan Ibrahim, Sharqi Sultan of Jaunpur on the foundations laid during the reign of  Sultan Firuz Shah Tughluq III. Construction started in 1377 and was completed in 1408. The style of Atala Masjid's architecture is known as Sharqi Style.

The Delhi Sultanate was predominantly spread in and around Delhi in North India and it gradually spread its rule across various parts of the Indian subcontinent for over three centuries. The architecture of Delhi Sultanate and Mughals shows extensive use of red sandstone. There are three monuments in Delhi which are regarded as world heritage sites — Qutub Minar, Red Fort and Humayun’s Tomb. All are made up of red sandstone. 

Maharaja Suraj Mal was the ruler of Bharatpur in Rajasthan, India. He is named as "the Plato of the Jat people" because of his political sagacity, steady intellect, and clear vision. He played a key role in setting up the city of Bharatpur.

St. George Fort, built in Madras in 1644 was the first fort buit by the British in India. It faced the sea and soon became the hub of merchant activity. It also helped to establish English influence over the Carnatic and to keep the kings of Arcot and Srirangapatna, as well as the French forces based at Pondichéry, at bay.

French East India Company was established in the 17th and 18th centuries to oversee French commerce with India, eastern Africa, and other territories of the Indian Ocean and the East Indies.  In February, 1701, Pondicherry was made the capital of the French settlements in India. In 1668, the first French factory was established in Surat.

Legendary fort that marks the glory of Qutub Shahis is Golconda. The name Golkonda literally means round shaped hill. The fort of Golconda was constructed during Kakatiya rule. Later, it was made the capital of Qutb Shahi dynasty. The region was famous for diamond mines. The world famous Kohinoor diamond belongs to this place.

The creation of large empires that brought different regions under their rule helped in the cross-fertilisation of artistic forms and architectural styles.
In Akbars capital at Fatehpur Sikri many of the buildings show the influence of the architectural styles of Gujarat and Malwa.

There were three broad types of land based on the ownership right during the Medieval period in Kerala. They were Cherikkal, Brahmaswam and Devaswam. The land under the control of the temples was called Devaswam.

The present Kodungallur and the surrounding areas were known as Mahodayapuram in those days. The Perumals were also known as Cheras and Cheramans. Some of these rulers adopted the title Kulasekara. Most regions in present Kerala were under the rule of the Perumals.

The socio-economic features of the region during the reign of the Perumals were as follows:

• Agriculture flourished in areas close to water resources.
• Brahmins established their power in agricultural villages.
• Temples developed as centres of power.
• The ownership of farmlands was vested with the Brahmins.
• Aaladiyars were the people who toiled in the soil.

The reign of the Perumals came to an end by the 12th century. Consequently, the chieftains, who were the local rulers under the Perumals, began to rule their respective Nadus independently.

The region under the control of a chieftain was known as Swaroopam. The joint family of the chieftain was also known as Swaroopam. The eldest member of the family became the ruler. There were disparities in wealth and military power among the Nadus and the chieftains fought among themselves for power.

The major Swaroopams during the period were Trippappooru Swaroopam in Venad, Perumpadappu Swaroopam in Kochi, Nediyiruppu Swaroopam in Kozhikode, and Kolaswaroopam in Chirakkal.

The reign of the Perumals came to an end by the 12th century. Consequently, the chieftains, who were the local rulers under the Perumals, began to rule their respective Nadus independently.

The region under the control of a chieftain was known as Swaroopam. The joint family of the chieftain was also known as Swaroopam. The eldest member of the family became the ruler. There were disparities in wealth and military power among the Nadus and the chieftains fought among themselves for power.

The major Swaroopams during the period were Trippappooru Swaroopam in Venad, Perumpadappu Swaroopam in Kochi, Nediyiruppu Swaroopam in Kozhikode, and Kolaswaroopam in Chirakkal.

In ancient Kerala, educational institutions attached to temples were known as Salais.

Many art forms that developed in medieval Kerala. Dance and music flourished in temples during the period. Koothu, Koodiyattom, and Kathakali were staged in the Koothambalam attached to temples. Hence these art forms came to be known as temple arts.
The ritual art forms like Theyyam, Thira, and Kalampattu were performed in Kavus (sacred groves) and other places of worship. They were more popular than the temple arts.