What has been the relationship between mathematics and architecture since ancient times? If you want to know the answer to this, then go deep into some old monuments. Be it the Taj Mahal or the Sun Temple of Konark or the Charminar, many subdivisions of Mathematics, such as Algebra, Fractal Geometry and Trigonometry, have been used to design the structures of all these monuments. All these monuments reflect the rich social and cultural heritage of the country.
So today let’s try to know once again those monuments, which you must have seen many times before. But this time the outlook will be slightly different. Today we will look at these monuments in the unmatched synergy of mathematics and science. You will be surprised to know how they have been used best in architecture.
1. Kandariya Mahadev Temple
Located in Khajuraho, Madhya Pradesh, the Kandariya Mahadev Temple is the largest, tallest and most ornate of the city’s western group of temples. It was built between 950 and 1050 by the Chandela rulers. Dedicated to Lord Shiva, this temple is considered to be one of the best preserved medieval period temples in India.
The splendidly sculpted sculptures and tall fortifications are the hallmarks of this temple. In the construction of the fort, impressive geometry has been used, due to which its shape looks like a mountain peak.
2. Charminar
It was built in Hyderabad in 1591 by Muhammad Quli Qutb Shah, the fifth Sultan of the Qutb Shahi dynasty. Charminar is considered a monument as well as a mosque. It is said that it was built to commemorate the end of the plague epidemic at that time.
The Charminar, built on a square structure, has four grand arches and four minarets at each corner, which form the main structure. It would be interesting to know that the number ‘four’ and its multiples can be seen in at least 22 places in the design of the structure.
3. Ranakpur Jain Temple
Ranakpur Jain Temple in the Pali district of Rajasthan is quite popular for its exquisite architecture. It is believed that it was built by a Jain merchant named Dharna Shah in the 15th century.
It is one of the largest Jain temples in the country, dedicated to Adinath, the first Tirthankara of Jainism. It is also known for its 1,444 carved pillars. The temple is designed in such a way that in spite of the many pillars, the idol of Adinath sitting in the complex can be clearly seen from all directions.
4. Modhera Sun Temple
Dedicated to Surya, Modhera Sun Temple is located in the Mehsana district of Gujarat. It was built in 1026 AD by King Bhimdev of Solanki dynasty on the banks of river Pushpavati. The temple hall has 52 carved pillars, which represent the weeks of the year. A mandapa is divided into seven sections for the seven days of the week. The 365 elephants on the facade of the temple represent the number of days in a year.
5. Emperor Yantra
The world’s largest 73 feet high Samrat Yantra is located at Jantar Mantar in Jaipur, Rajasthan. It was built by the Rajput king Sawai Jai Singh II. He built 19 structures that calculated and predicted the positions of stars and planets. One of them is the Samrat Yantra, which is the largest solar clock of its kind.
Samrat Yantra is known for its accuracy in measuring time. It uses sunlight to tell local time with an accuracy of 2 seconds.
6. Virupaksha Temple
Among the complex of Hindu and Jain temples in the Bagalkot district of Karnataka, Virupaksha Temple is the largest. This temple is a main part of the group of historical monuments of Hampi, especially those located in Pattadakal. Dedicated to Lord Shiva, this temple was built by Rani Lok Mahadevi in the 8th century, after the victory of her husband Vikramaditya II over the Pallavas. It is known for its triangular dome and square configuration. This creates fractal patterns and gives a glimpse of natural geometry (Math in Indian Monuments).
7. Sundial at Konark Sun Temple
Konark Sun Temple in Puri, Odisha rests on 24 wheels, which are beautifully carved. Its wheels are the sundial which are used to calculate the exact time (9Math in Indian Monuments), including day and night, in one minute. The sundial here is unique in that it shows time in an anti-clockwise direction. It has eight major spokes, which divide the 24 hours into eight equal parts. The time between two major matchsticks is three hours.
8. Taj Mahal
One of the seven wonders of the world, the Taj Mahal is considered one of the finest masterpieces of architecture in India. It was built by Mughal Emperor Shah Jahan in 1632 in the loving memory of his wife Mumtaz. It is believed that it was completed in 1653.
The tombs of both Shah Jahan and Mumtaz in this monument are made of white marble. Their graves are located in the center of the base and all the windows here are equidistant from each other. Another surprising thing about this structure is that the tiles of the path are arranged in a square and hexagon (Math in Indian Monuments) manner in such a way that they appear to form an octagon.
Original article: Anjali Krishnan
Editing: Archana Dubey
Also read: A teacher engaged in saving ancient monuments, revived 22 ponds and lakes so far
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