This article sheds light on the Women’s Contributions to Monumental Architecture. 

What is Monumental Architecture?

• It refers to human-made large and grand structures of stone or earth. 
  • Examples: pyramids, temples, palaces, burial mounds, and plazas.
• These structures are often built to showcase power and legacy of civilization. 
• Key features: Relatively large size and public nature. 
• Significance
  • Cultural Identity: These architectures act as a symbol of national pride which reflects diversity of culture and history of a region. 
  • Tourism: These regions attract tourists from various places which creates jobs in areas of hospitality, tourism management, and conservation. 
  • Spiritual significance: Various architectures such as  temples, mosques, and cathedrals serve as a sacred place for religious practices which foster a sense of community. 

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Women’s Contributions to Monumental Architecture

• Women have been creating monuments in memory of their husbands or to celebrate their achievements since ancient times.
• Notable Monuments Built by Women
  • Virupaksha Temple, Karnataka (7th Century)
    • Built by Lokamahadevi to honor her husband Vikramaditya II’s victory over the Pallavas of Kanchi.
    • Features of temple: It is devoted to Lord Virupaksha, a form of Lord Shiva.
      • Located in Hampi within the Vijayanagara district of Karnataka. 
        • This temple is  a part of larger Group of Monuments at Hampi which is a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1986.
      • There is an  inverted pinhole image of its tower on the inner wall. 
      • Architecture
        • It is built in South Indian architectural style. 
          • It has intricate craftsmanship and advanced engineering.
      • Main structures
        • It comprises a sanctum sanctorum, multiple pillared halls, antechambers, and grand gopurams (gateway towers).
        • The temple is triangular in shape. 
        • There are three prominent gopurams. 
          • Eastern Gopuram: It is the largest one with 50 meters high., and has nine storeys . 
          • Inner Gopurams: Two gopurams are small and located on the inner east and inner northern sides of the complex. 
        • Principal of physics applied: The Rectilinear Light Theory and the pinhole camera effect.
        • Mathematics concept applied: Fibonacci sequence,  fractals, geometry. 
  • Rani Ki Vav, Gujarat (11th Century)
    • It is a  stepwell  in the town of Patan in Gujarat. 
    • Constructed by Queen Udayamati in memory of her husband Bhima-I of the Chalukya Dynasty.
    • Located on the banks of river  Saraswati River. 
    • Listed on the UNESCO World Heritage Sites in India since 2014. 
    • Features:
      • 500+ sculptures, 1,000+ micro sculptures, and intricate geometric designs.
      • Architecture
        • Built in the Maru-Gurjara architectural style.
        • It features  an inverted temple structure with seven levels of stairs.
      • Recognition
        • Title given: “Cleanest Iconic Place” in India at the Indian Sanitation Conference (INDOSAN) 2016. 
  • Humayun’s Tomb, Delhi (16th Century)
    • It was constructed in the 1560’. 
    • Built by Biga Begum as a tribute to her husband, Emperor Humayun.
    • Located in Delhi, south of Purana Qila, near the Yamuna River.
    • It was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1993. 
    • Significance:
      • Blends Persian and Mughal architectural styles.
      • First large-scale use of red sandstone in India.
      • Inspired the architectural design of the Taj Mahal.
    • Architecture Features
      • It is set in a classical Mughal char bagh (four-part) garden which is divided by a water channel. 
      • The tomb is a ninefold square plan with 124 interconnected vaulted chambers.
      • There is a use of Indian elements like Hindu chattris (domed pavilions). 
      • It also features octagonal chambers and high iwans inspired by earlier Delhi Sultanate tombs.  

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Impact of Patriarchy on the Recognition and Preservation of Women-Commissioned Monuments

• Limited Visibility in Historical Narratives
  • Male-Centric Narratives: History often emphasizes monuments built by men, while women-commissioned monuments are underrepresented.
    • Example: The Taj Mahal is widely celebrated, while structures like Rani Ki Vav and Virupaksha Temple receive limited recognition.
• Lack of Awareness and Documentation
  • Patriarchal Record-Keeping: Historical documentation frequently prioritizes male achievements, sidelining women’s efforts in architecture and culture.
• Gender Bias in Heritage Conservation
  • Selective Preservation: Resources and efforts are disproportionately directed toward male-commissioned monuments.
  • Neglect of Women’s Monuments: Lesser-known monuments by women often suffer from inadequate preservation and maintenance.
• Romanticization of Male-Commissioned Monuments
  • Undermining Women’s contribution:  Monuments like the Taj Mahal are romanticized as symbols of love, on the other hand, Women’s contributions are often framed as acts of devotion rather than intellectual or artistic endeavors.

Challenges in Recognizing Women’s Contributions

• Limited Awareness of Women-Led Projects
  • Women-led monuments often remain lesser-known compared to male-commissioned structures.
  • Their rich architecture and the stories behind them are largely overlooked in history.
• Reasons for Overshadowing
  • Selflessness of women, prioritizing work over personal recognition.
  • Influence of patriarchy, which may have diminished their contributions in historical records.
  • Selective celebration of male achievements leading to gender-biased narratives.

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Way Forward

• Educational Initiatives: Include women’s contributions in textbooks and academic discussions.
• Heritage Promotion: Highlight women-led monuments in heritage tours and campaigns.
• Public Awareness: Utilize digital platforms to share stories about these monuments.
• Inclusive Narratives: Encourage balanced recognition of contributions by both genders.

By recognizing and celebrating women’s efforts, we can create a more inclusive historical record, ensuring their architectural legacies are preserved and appreciated.

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