{"id":148215,"date":"2024-12-23T19:58:04","date_gmt":"2024-12-23T14:28:04","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/pwonlyias.com\/stage\/?post_type=current-affairs&#038;p=148215"},"modified":"2024-12-23T19:58:04","modified_gmt":"2024-12-23T14:28:04","slug":"womens-contributions-to-monumental-architecture","status":"publish","type":"current-affairs","link":"https:\/\/pwonlyias.com\/stage\/current-affairs\/womens-contributions-to-monumental-architecture","title":{"rendered":"Women\u2019s Contributions to Monumental Architecture: Recognizing Their Legacy"},"content":{"rendered":"<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">This article sheds light on the Women\u2019s Contributions to Monumental Architecture.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<h2><span style=\"font-size: 18pt;\"><b>What is Monumental Architecture?<\/b><\/span><\/h2>\n<ul>\n<li><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">It refers to <\/span><b>human-made large and grand structures<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> of stone or earth.\u00a0<\/span>\n<ul>\n<li><b>Examples:<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> pyramids, temples, palaces, burial mounds, and plazas.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">These structures are often built to showcase<\/span><b> power and legacy of civilization.\u00a0<\/b><\/li>\n<li><b>Key features: <\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Relatively large size and public nature.\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<li><b>Significance<\/b>\n<ul>\n<li><b>Cultural Identity: <\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">These architectures act as a<\/span><b> symbol of national pride<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> which reflects diversity of culture and history of a region.\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<li><b>Tourism:<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> These regions attract tourists from various places which <\/span><b>creates jobs in areas of<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> hospitality, tourism management, and conservation.\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<li aria-level=\"2\"><b>Spiritual significance: <\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Various architectures such as\u00a0 temples, mosques, and cathedrals serve as a s<\/span><b>acred place for religious practice<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">s which foster a sense of community.\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\"><span class=\"vc_button\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.pw.live\/batches\/upsc?utm_source=seo+upsc+batch&#038;utm_medium=seo+upsc&#038;utm_campaign=seo&#038;utm_id=upsc\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Enroll now for UPSC Online Course<\/a><\/span><\/p>\n<h2><span style=\"font-size: 18pt;\"><b>Women\u2019s Contributions to Monumental Architecture<\/b><\/span><\/h2>\n<ul>\n<li><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Women have been creating monuments in <\/span><b>memory of their husbands<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> or to celebrate their achievements since ancient times.<\/span><\/li>\n<li><b>Notable Monuments Built by Women<\/b>\n<ul>\n<li><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"wp-image-148156 alignright\" src=\"https:\/\/pwonlyias.com\/stage\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/233-6769565baa759.webp\" alt=\"Monumental Architecture\" width=\"404\" height=\"228\" srcset=\"https:\/\/pwonlyias.com\/stage\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/233-6769565baa759.webp 807w, https:\/\/pwonlyias.com\/stage\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/233-6769565baa759-300x169.webp 300w, https:\/\/pwonlyias.com\/stage\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/233-6769565baa759-768x433.webp 768w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 404px) 100vw, 404px\" \/><b>Virupaksha Temple, Karnataka (7th Century)<\/b>\n<ul>\n<li><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Built by <\/span><b>Lokamahadevi<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> to honor her husband <\/span><b>Vikramaditya II\u2019s victory<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> over the <\/span><b>Pallavas of Kanchi<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">.<\/span><\/li>\n<li><b>Features of temple:<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> It is devoted to Lord Virupaksha, a form of Lord Shiva.<\/span>\n<ul style=\"list-style-type: disc;\">\n<li><b>Located<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> in Hampi within the <\/span><b>Vijayanagara district of Karnataka.\u00a0<\/b>\n<ul style=\"list-style-type: circle;\">\n<li><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">This temple is\u00a0 a part of larger<\/span><b> Group of Monuments at Hampi which is a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1986.<\/b><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">There is an\u00a0 <\/span><b>inverted pinhole image of its <\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">tower on the inner wall.\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<li><b>Architecture<\/b>\n<ul style=\"list-style-type: circle;\">\n<li><b>It is built in South Indian architectural style.\u00a0<\/b>\n<ul style=\"list-style-type: square;\">\n<li><b>It has intricate craftsmanship and advanced engineering.<\/b><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<li><b>Main structures<\/b>\n<ul style=\"list-style-type: circle;\">\n<li><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">It comprises a <\/span><b>sanctum sanctorum, multiple pillared halls, antechambers, and grand gopurams (gateway towers).<\/b><\/li>\n<li><b>The temple is triangular in shape.\u00a0<\/b><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">There are three prominent gopurams.\u00a0<\/span>\n<ul style=\"list-style-type: square;\">\n<li><b>Eastern Gopuram: <\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">It is the largest one with 50 meters high., and has nine storeys .\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<li><b>Inner Gopurams:<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> Two gopurams are small and located on the <\/span><b>inner east and inner northern sides of the complex.\u00a0<\/b><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<li><b>Principal of physics applied: <\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The Rectilinear Light Theory and the pinhole camera effect.<\/span><\/li>\n<li><b>Mathematics concept applied:<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> Fibonacci sequence,\u00a0 fractals, geometry.\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<li><b>Rani Ki Vav, Gujarat (11th Century)<\/b>\n<ul>\n<li><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">It is a\u00a0 stepwell\u00a0 in the town of <\/span><b>Patan in Gujarat.\u00a0<\/b><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Constructed by <\/span><b>Queen Udayamati<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> in memory of her husband <\/span><b>Bhima-I<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> of the<\/span><b> Chalukya Dynasty.<\/b><\/li>\n<li><b>Located o<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">n the banks of river<\/span><b>\u00a0 Saraswati River.\u00a0<\/b><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Listed on the <\/span><b>UNESCO World Heritage Sites in <\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">India since 2014.\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<li><b>Features:<\/b>\n<ul style=\"list-style-type: disc;\">\n<li><b>500+ sculptures<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, 1,000+ micro sculptures, and intricate geometric designs.<\/span><\/li>\n<li><b>Architecture<\/b>\n<ul style=\"list-style-type: circle;\">\n<li><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Built in the<\/span><b> Maru-Gurjara architectural style.<\/b><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">It features\u00a0 <\/span><b>an inverted temple structure<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> with seven levels of stairs.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<li><b>Recognition<\/b>\n<ul style=\"list-style-type: circle;\">\n<li><b>Title given: \u201cCleanest Iconic Place\u201d<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> in India at the Indian Sanitation Conference (INDOSAN) 2016.\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<li><b>Humayun\u2019s Tomb, Delhi (16th Century)<\/b>\n<ul>\n<li><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">It was constructed in th<\/span><b>e 1560\u2019.\u00a0<\/b><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Built by <\/span><b>Biga Begum<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> as a tribute to her husband, <\/span><b>Emperor Humayun<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">.<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Located in Delhi, <\/span><b>south of Purana Qila,<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> near the Yamuna River.<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">It was declared a UNESCO<\/span><b> World Heritage<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> Site in <\/span><b>1993.\u00a0<\/b><\/li>\n<li><b>Significance:<\/b>\n<ul style=\"list-style-type: disc;\">\n<li><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Blends <\/span><b>Persian and Mughal architectural styles<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">.<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">First large-scale use of <\/span><b>red sandstone<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> in India.<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Inspired the architectural design of the Taj Mahal.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<li><b>Architecture Features<\/b>\n<ul style=\"list-style-type: disc;\">\n<li><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">It is set in a <\/span><b>classical Mughal char bagh (four-part) garden<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> which is divided by a water channel.\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The tomb is a <\/span><b>ninefold square plan with 124<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> interconnected <\/span><b>vaulted chambers.<\/b><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">There is a use of Indian elements<\/span><b> like Hindu chattris (domed pavilions).\u00a0<\/b><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">It also features <\/span><b>octagonal chambers and high iwans inspired by earlier Delhi Sultanate tombs.\u00a0\u00a0<\/b><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\"><span class=\"vc_button\"><a href=\"https:\/\/store.pw.live\/govt-entrance-exams\/upsc-books\/upsc-textbooks?utm_source=SEO&#038;utm_medium=PW+Live&#038;utm_campaign=UPSC+Textbooks\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Check Out UPSC NCERT Textbooks From PW Store<\/span><\/a><\/span><\/p>\n<h2><span style=\"font-size: 18pt;\"><b>Impact of Patriarchy on the Recognition and Preservation of Women-Commissioned Monuments<\/b><\/span><\/h2>\n<ul>\n<li><b>Limited Visibility in Historical Narratives<\/b>\n<ul>\n<li><b>Male-Centric Narratives<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">: History often emphasizes monuments built by men, while women-commissioned monuments are underrepresented.<\/span>\n<ul>\n<li><b>Example:<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> The Taj Mahal is widely celebrated, while structures like <\/span><b>Rani Ki Vav<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> and <\/span><b>Virupaksha Temple<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> receive limited recognition.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<li><b>Lack of Awareness and Documentation<\/b>\n<ul>\n<li><b>Patriarchal Record-Keeping<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">: Historical documentation frequently prioritizes male achievements, sidelining women\u2019s efforts in architecture and culture.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<li><b>Gender Bias in Heritage Conservation<\/b>\n<ul>\n<li><b>Selective Preservation<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">: Resources and efforts are disproportionately directed toward male-commissioned monuments.<\/span><\/li>\n<li><b>Neglect of Women\u2019s Monuments<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">: Lesser-known monuments by women often suffer from<\/span><b> inadequate preservation and maintenance.<\/b><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<li><b>Romanticization of Male-Commissioned Monuments<\/b>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"2\"><b>Undermining Women&#8217;s contribution: <\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\u00a0Monuments like the Taj Mahal are romanticized as symbols of love, on the other hand, Women&#8217;s contributions are often framed as acts of devotion rather than <\/span><b>intellectual or artistic endeavors<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h2><span style=\"font-size: 18pt;\"><b>Challenges in Recognizing Women\u2019s Contributions<\/b><\/span><\/h2>\n<ul>\n<li><b>Limited Awareness of Women-Led Projects<\/b>\n<ul>\n<li><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Women-led monuments often remain <\/span><b>lesser-known<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> compared to <\/span><b>male-commissioned structures.<\/b><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Their <\/span><b>rich architecture<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> and the <\/span><b>stories behind them<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> are largely overlooked in<\/span><b> history<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<li><b>Reasons for Overshadowing<\/b>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"2\"><b>Selflessness<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> of women, prioritizing work over personal recognition.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"2\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Influence of <\/span><b>patriarchy<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, which may have diminished their contributions in historical records.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"2\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Selective celebration of male achievements leading to <\/span><b>gender-biased narratives<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\"><span class=\"vc_button\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.pw.live\/batches\/upsc\/pw-only-ias?utm_source=seo+upsc+batch&#038;utm_medium=seo+upsc&#038;utm_campaign=seo&#038;utm_id=upsc\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Enroll now for UPSC Online Classes<\/a><\/span><\/p>\n<h2><span style=\"font-size: 18pt;\"><b>Way Forward<\/b><\/span><\/h2>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>Educational Initiatives<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">: Include women\u2019s contributions in textbooks and academic discussions.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>Heritage Promotion<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">: Highlight<\/span><b> women-led monuments<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> in heritage tours and campaigns.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>Public Awareness<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">: Utilize digital platforms to share stories about these monuments.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>Inclusive Narratives<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">: Encourage balanced recognition of contributions by both genders.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">By recognizing and celebrating women\u2019s efforts, we can create a <\/span><b>more inclusive historical record<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, ensuring their<\/span><b> architectural legacies<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> are preserved and appreciated.<\/span><\/p>\n<div class=\"vc_table_green\"><\/p>\n<table style=\"width: 99.6375%;\">\n<tbody>\n<tr>\n<td style=\"width: 111.19%; text-align: center;\" colspan=\"2\"><span style=\"font-size: 18pt;\"><b>Also Read<\/b><\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td style=\"width: 49.797%; text-align: center;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/pwonlyias.com\/stage\/editorial-analysis\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><b>UPSC Daily Editorials<\/b><\/a><\/td>\n<td style=\"width: 61.393%; text-align: center;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/pwonlyias.com\/stage\/daily-current-affairs\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><b>UPSC Daily Current Affairs<\/b><\/a><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td style=\"width: 49.797%; text-align: center;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/pwonlyias.com\/stage\/quiz\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><b>Daily Current Affairs Quiz<\/b><\/a><\/td>\n<td style=\"width: 61.393%; text-align: center;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/pwonlyias.com\/stage\/mains-answer-writing\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><b>Daily Main Answer Writing<\/b><\/a><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td style=\"width: 49.797%; text-align: center;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/store.pw.live\/govt-entrance-exams\/upsc-books\/upsc-previous-year-papers?utm_source=SEO&#038;utm_medium=PW+Live&#038;utm_campaign=UPSC+Previous+Year+Papers\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><b>Check Out Previous Years Papers From PW Store<\/b><\/a><\/td>\n<td style=\"width: 61.393%; text-align: center;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/pwonlyias.com\/stage\/upsc-test-series-courses\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><b>UPSC Test Series<\/b><\/a><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td style=\"width: 49.797%; text-align: center;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/store.pw.live\/govt-entrance-exams\/upsc-books\/upsc-textbooks?utm_source=SEO&#038;utm_medium=PW+Live&#038;utm_campaign=UPSC+Textbooks\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><b>Check Out UPSC NCERT Textbooks From PW Store<\/b><\/a><\/td>\n<td style=\"width: 61.393%; text-align: center;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/store.pw.live\/govt-entrance-exams\/upsc-books\/upsc-modules?utm_source=SEO&#038;utm_medium=PW+Live&#038;utm_campaign=UPSC+Modules\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><b>Check Out UPSC Modules From PW Store<\/b><\/a><b>\u00a0<\/b><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<p><\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>This article sheds light on the Women\u2019s Contributions to Monumental Architecture.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":11,"featured_media":148182,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"rank_math_lock_modified_date":false,"footnotes":""},"tags":[],"paper-wise":[],"subject":[],"acf":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/pwonlyias.com\/stage\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/current-affairs\/148215"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/pwonlyias.com\/stage\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/current-affairs"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/pwonlyias.com\/stage\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/current-affairs"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/pwonlyias.com\/stage\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/11"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/pwonlyias.com\/stage\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=148215"}],"version-history":[{"count":2,"href":"https:\/\/pwonlyias.com\/stage\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/current-affairs\/148215\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":148217,"href":"https:\/\/pwonlyias.com\/stage\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/current-affairs\/148215\/revisions\/148217"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/pwonlyias.com\/stage\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/148182"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/pwonlyias.com\/stage\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=148215"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/pwonlyias.com\/stage\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=148215"},{"taxonomy":"paper-wise","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/pwonlyias.com\/stage\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/paper-wise?post=148215"},{"taxonomy":"subject","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/pwonlyias.com\/stage\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/subject?post=148215"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}