History of Indian and Eastern Architecture v2.c24.s7: Gwâliar.
History of Indian and Eastern Architecture v2.c24.s7
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Gwâliar.
v2.c24.s7.1
The rock at Gwâliar is, and must always have been, one of the most remarkable high places in Central India, and seems, as such, early to have been appropriated by the Jains. Its position and its scarps, however, led to its being fortified, and, as one of the strongest places in India, it was attacked and taken by storm by Altamsh, the first Moslim Emperor of Delhi, in A.D. 1232; and from that time till the fall of the Mughal empire it was held by the Muhammadans, or by Hindû kings subject to their suzerainty. Under these circumstances, we should hardly expect to find any extensive ancient Hindû remains in the place. The most striking part of the Jaina remains at Gwâliar are a series of caves or rock-cut sculptures that are excavated in the rock on all sides, and amount, when taken together, to hardly less than a hundred, great and small. They are, however, very unlike the chaityas or vihâras of the Buddhists, still less do they resemble the Jaina and Brahmanical caves, already mentioned or hereafter. Most of them are mere niches to contain statues, though some are cells that may have been originally intended for residences. One curious fact regarding them is, that, according to inscriptions, they were all excavated within the short period of about thirty-three years, between A.D. 1441 and 1474. Some of the figures are of colossal size; one, for instance, is 57 ft. high, which is greater than any other in the north of India, though in the south there are some which equal or compare with it, and, as free-standing figures, are expressive and more difficult to execute.²
v2.c24.s7.2
² For illustrations of Gwâliar see Dr. G. Le Bon, 'Les Monuments de l'Inde,' pp. 93-98, and figs. 85-98; Sir L. Griffin, 'Famous Monuments of Central India,' pp. 60-80, and plates 39-46; and Workman's 'Through Town and Jungle,' pp. 180ff.