Rajasthan Stone Work

The arts and crafts of Rajasthan are commanded by the availability of indigenous raw materials in the region. Marbles and sandstones are abundantly available in the arid lands of the state. Stone art and masonry are leading art forms cultivate din the state.

Especially under the patronage of the Rajput royals and the Mughal kings who loved to highlight the opulence of their private quarters and their courts, masons and artisans flourished. Decorative lampshades exquisitely carved marble chairs, tables, benches, sculpted frescoes, patterned fountains and screens of lattice work (jali) are the hallmark of Rajasthan stone art. Skillfully carved deities and figurines are the most sought after souvenirs by the tourists and visitors of the state. The granites, quartzite and slates of the land have been the fodder for many an artist’s genius. The temples of Ajmer, Baroli, Bharatpur, Bikaner, Chittorgarh, Jaisalmer, Mandore, Nagda, Ramgarh and Udaipur stand testimony to the superb masonry skills o the native Rajasthani artisans.

Marble is available in many shades and qualities in the state of Rajasthan. The stonemasons gave vent to their imagination and expressed their creative genius in creating exquisite interiors for the palaces and forts. The unique feature of the palaces particularly the women’s chambers was the jail (lattice) screens and panels and even doors. The women remained secluded in veils and purdahs to reserve their modesty and never entered the company of unknown men. These jail screens facilitated their inclusion in the going on without themselves being seen by others. Ajmer, Bikaner, Jaipur, Jodhpur and Udaipur represent the hub of marble work in the state. An assortment of other items such as marble mortars and pestles, birdbaths and decorative planters graced the regal households of the Rajputs.

The finest quality marble in the country is mined at Makrana near Jaipur. Makrana is believed to have supplied marbles for the building of the stunning Dilwara Jain temples at Mt. Abu and the world famous memorial Taj Mahal. Jaipur is renowned to foster some of the best marble and stone masons in the entire world. There is an entire lane named Silawaton ka Mohalla where the stone masons’ chiseling and hammering rents the air throughout the day. Excellent marble mosaics and Besides marble carving, red stone sculpting is cultivated in the state. Rupbas and Karauli are famed for the excellent red stone available there and are believed to have provided the Mughal kings red stone for the mansions and forts in Delhi, Agra and Fatehpur Sikri. The Hawa Mahal, Jaipur City Palace and Amber Fort are the finest examples of the excellent stone art in Rajasthan. The gray stone tiles of Kota, yellow marbles of Barmer and granites of Ajmer are favorites for tile making and flooring.

Last Updated on 01 December 2011