thumb|270px|Chhatris up close at [[Bada Bagh, Rajasthan]]

thumb|Chhatri set atop each corner of the Hall of Audience in [[Fatehpur Sikri palace complex.]]

Chhatri are semi-open, elevated, dome-shaped pavilions used as an element in Indo-Islamic architecture

Originating as a canopy above tombs, they largely serve as decorative elements as opposed to functional elements.

Chhatri are found particularly within Mughal architecture came from Bengal Deltaic Architecture.The artisans and architects of bengal brought this feature to the Darbar of powerful officials both hindu and muslim. The most notable surviving examples today are to be found at Humayun's Tomb in Delhi and the Taj Mahal in Agra. The Berar Sultanate in the Deccan added chhatris on buildings in its various capitals. Chhatri have also been used in Rajasthan and other parts of the Indian subcontinent by both Muslim and Hindu rulers.

They are primarily used to manipulate skylines, an important aspect of Bengal architecture.

In Kutch

thumb|Rao Lakhaji Chhatri [[Bhuj]]

Chhatri can also be found in the outskirts of Bhuj city belonging mainly to Jadeja rulers of Kutch. The chhatri of Rao Lakhpatji is very famous for its intricate designs and carvings. Most of them but have been destroyed in the 2001 Gujarat earthquake. The restoration work is going on.

Outside India

thumb|Chhatri of [[Ram Mohan Roy in Arnos Vale Cemetery, Bristol, England]]

There are two notable chhatri in the United Kingdom, a country with strong historical links to India. One is a cenotaph in Brighton, dedicated to the Indian soldiers who died in the First World War.

The other is in Arnos Vale Cemetery near Bristol and is a memorial to the distinguished Indian reformer Raja Ram Mohan Roy, who died in that city.

Major Chhattris

right|thumb|250x250px|Chhatari of [[Rashtrapati Bhavan|President's House]]

right|thumb|250x250px|Chhatri of Musi Rani of [[Alwar]]

84 Khambho ki Chhatri- memorial of Shatrusal (1631 AD), Bundi ruler - contemporary of Shah Jahan . Built in the memory of Rao Raja Aniruddh Singh's nursemaid Deva, near Devpura village of Bundi .

Chhataris of Kesarbagh

Kesarbagh, located about 4-5 kilometers from Bundi, has 66 chhatris of rulers of Bundi and royal families. The oldest among these is chhatri of Maharaj Kumar Dadu and the newest is the chhatri of Maharaja Raja Vishnu Singh.

Musi Maharani ki chhatri

Their canopy is located in Rajasthan's Alvar The canopy of 60 the pillars of Hindu architecture on the south side of Sagar below the Bala Durg was built in the memory of the Musi Queen of Maharaja Bakhtar Singh during the period of Maharaja Vinay Singh. The upper storey of this canopy, built of white marble and red sandstone, is also decorated with mural paintings depicting scenes from the Ramayana and the Mahabharata.

Chhataris of Tehla

These chhatris are also located in Alwar district of Rajasthan.

The Mishraji Chhatri located here is particularly renowned; it was constructed around 1432 CE.

The dome of this chhatri is supported by eight upright, square pillars. The distinguishing feature of this chhatri is the unparalleled ornamentation of its mural paintings.

See also

  • Cenotaph
  • Chahartaq (architecture)
  • Cupola
  • Jaswant Ki Chhatri
  • Roof lantern
  • Chattri, Brighton, a memorial to Indian soldiers

References

  • ArchNet Dictionary of Islamic Architecture: Chatri
  • Images of old chhatris Columbia University