This document provides information about the cities of Kishangarh and Bikaner in Rajasthan, India. It describes several forts and palaces in Bikaner, including Junagarh Fort, Laxmi Niwas Palace, Lalgarh Fort. It also discusses the Bikaner School of Art, noting its recurring figures with kindness and tenderness. The document then covers Kishangarh, describing the Kishangarh Fort and Phool Mahal Palace. It notes that the Kishangarh School of miniature painting emerged in the 18th century under royal patronage and was known for its portraits and depictions of Radha and Krishna.

1. KISHANGARH AND BIKANER
Presentation by
Abhilasha Sharma
Aditi Biyani
Akanksha Sinha
Anupriya Saraswat
Charul mishra
Devanshi Shar,ma
Rajasthani Arts

2. BIKANER
 Junagarh Fort
 Laxmi Niwas Palace
 Lalgarh Fort
 Maru Nayak Ji
 Laxmi Nath Temple
 Bhandasar Jain Temple
 Mukam Temple
 Kolayat
 Karni Mata Temple
 Shiv Bari Temple
 Rampuria Haveli

3. BIKANER
 Bikaner is a city in the
northwest of
the state of Rajasthan in
northern India. The name of
Bikaner was derived from
the two names Bika and
Nehra. It is located 330
kilometres (205 mi)
northwest of the state
capital, Jaipur. Bikaner
city is the administrative
headquarters of Bikaner
District and Bikaner
division. It was formerly
the capital of the princely
state of Bikaner. The city
was founded by Rao
Bika with the help of Nehra
Jats. Bikaner in 1486 and

4. JUNAGARH FORT
 Junagarh Fort was originally
called Chintamani and was renamed
Junagarh or "Old Fort" in the early
20th century when the ruling family
moved to Lalgarh Palace outside the
fort limits. It is one of the few
major forts in Rajasthan which is
not built on a hilltop.
 The fort complex was built under the
supervision of Karan Chand, the
Prime Minister of Raja Rai Singh,
the sixth ruler of Bikaner, who
ruled from 1571 to 1611 AD.
Construction of the walls and
associated moat commenced in 1589
and was completed in 1594. It was
built outside the original fort of
the city, about 1.5 kilometres
(0.93 mi) from the city centre. Some
remnants of the old fort are
preserved near the Lakshmi Narayan
temple
 The 5.28 hectares large fort

5.  The structures built within the Junagarh fort are the palaces and temples, which are
made of red sandstone(Dulmera) and White Italian Carrara marble.
 The fort is built in the plains of Bikaner on a rectangular layout with a peripheral
length of 1,078 yards (986 m). The fort walls are 14.5 feet (4.4 m) wide and 40 feet
(12 m) in height. It has an area of 5.28 ha. It was surrounded by a moat which was
20–25 feet deep . However, the moat no longer exists. The fort is well fortified
with 37 bastions (‘burj’ in local language) and seven gates (two are main gates)
to counter enemy attacks. The fort was built as a “new stronghold” outside of the
ruins of an old fort built by Rao Bika and on the periphery of the Bikaner city
walls (1.5 kilometres (0.93 mi) from the city centre); the old fort was demolished a
century after it was built.
 The fort contains several palaces, pavilions and many Hindu and Jain temples - the

6. TIMELINE OF FORT ADDITIONS
 Karan Singh (1631 to 1639),
under the suzerainty of the
Mughals, built the Karan Mahal
palace. Later rulers added
more floors and decorations to
this Mahal.
 Anup Singh, (1669–98), made
substantial additions to the
fort complex, with new palaces
and the Zenana quarter (royal
dwelling for females). He
refurbished the Karan Mahal
with a Diwan-i-Am (public
audience hall) and called it
the Anup Mahal.
 Gaj Singh (1746 to 1787)
refurbished the Chandra Mahal

7.  Following him, Surat
Singh (1787 to 1828) and
he lavishly decorated
the audience hall with
glass and lively
paintwork.
 Dungar Singh (1872 to
1887) built the Badal
Mahal (the weather
palace) named so in view
of a painting of falling
rain and clouds (a rare
event in arid Bikaner).
 Ganga Singh (1887 to
1943) built the Ganga
Niwas Palace, which has
towers at the

8. LAKSHMI NIWAS PALACE
 Laxmi Niwas Palace is a former residential palace of
the king of the former Bikaner state, Maharaja Ganga
Singh in Bikaner in the Indian state of Rajasthan. It was
designed in 1896 in an Indo-Saracenic style by
the British architect, Sir Samuel Swinton Jacob, and built
between 1898 and 1902. It is built with red sandstone, and has
been described as one of the most well proportioned buildings
in India. It was one of the precursor building for the Indian
(residential palace).

9. LALGARH PALACE
 Built in Rajput, Mughal and
European architectural styles. The
building was commissioned by
Maharaja Ganga Singh (1889–1925)
in memory of his father Maharaja
Lall Singh and was designed by the
British architect, Samuel Swinton
Jacob. It is coated in red
sandstone and has several grand
halls, lounges, cupolas and
pavilions. The building features
magnificent pillars, elaborate
fireplaces, Italian colonnades and
intricate latticework and filigree
work.
 The palace houses the Shri Sadul
Museum as well as a large and
important collection of Sanskrit
manuscripts, the Anup Sanskrit
Library.

10. RAMPURIA HAVELI
 More commonly known
as Bhanwar Niwas.
 Commissioned by the
late Seth
Bhanwarlalji
Rampuria in 1927,
the architecture of
the haveli and its
interiors is a
fascinating blend
of Indian and
European styles.

11. THE BIKANER SCHOOL OF ART
 This school originated in the
times of Prince Rao Bika of Jodhpur
(1488). It developed its recurring
style with figures having an air of
kindness and tenderness. This style
has a habit of exquisitely detailed
finish.
 The paintings are characterized
by countless variations of patterns
and symbols depicted in thin,
watercolor-Li school. The subjects
are taken from Indian Mythology and
often includes an elephant's trunk
in various forms. The colorful
illuminations, which captured the
fancy of the royalty and
aristocracy, emerged in the medieval
period. The illustrated manuscripts
of Jains and Buddhists, and the
flowering of the Mughal, Rajput, and
Deccan Miniatures are noted for

12. KISHANGARH
 Kishangarh Fort
 Phool Mahal Palace
 Khoda Ganesh Ji Temple
 Roopangarh Fort

13. The Kishangarh Fort in Ajmer is an impressive
composition that was made in the year 1653.
•Maharaja Roop Singh constructed the gigantic
Kishangarh Fort.
• It is believed that a happening he saw once
motivated him to get a fort built.
•He saw a sheep that was defending its lambs
and wolves and got the idea to make a fort that
would guard his empire.
The huge Kishangarh Fort of Rajasthan is an unending symbol of
brilliance that never fails to inspire visitors who come to Rajasthan.
The interiors of the fort give you an idea of the glorious days of
yore. Even by continual attacks by outside forces, the Kishangarh fort
stayed undefeated. This fort stands proudly at the center of this
beautiful city named Ajmer.
KISHANGARH FORT

14. •The interiors of the Kishangarh fort are wonderfully
ornamented with widespread murals and paintings.
• It is from here that the Bani Thani style of painting
happening
and increased much recognition.
•One can get an idea of the abundant lifestyle of the
leaders of Rajasthan.
•The fort includes of several courtyards and splendid
quarters that are decorated with water fountains
here and there.
•Kishangarh fort has a very significant role
in the cultural and historical tradition of
Rajasthan.
• This is a symbol of Raja Maharajas golden era
and it depicts their living at that particular time.
INTERIORS

15. •The Phool Mahal Palace was
established exactly in A.D. 1870
(19th century) in the region of
the Kishangarh fort of Rajasthan.
•This royal palace was the
“Palace of the flowers
(lotuses)” for the imperial
Maharajas of Kishangarh region
•Originally the Payandaz Bagh or
the garden at the foot of the
fort, this pleasure garden of the
Maharajas of Kishangarh was a
source of inspiration to a number
of famous Kishangarh miniature
artists like Nihal Chand and it's
easy to identify it in many
PHOOL MAHAL PALACE

16. •In 1870 Maharaja Prithee Singh, the 15th Rural of
Kishangarh constructed Phool Mahal as his monsoon
palace.
•His son and successor Maharaja Shardul Singh added on
various pavilions in 1885.
•After 1905 his son Maharaja Madan Singh completed the
additions that we see today.
•For the viceroy's visit on 1907 was constructed the
Madan Burj ( the round dome ) with filigree work
pillars, which can be seen from all sides.
•The 'Kamal Burj' or the lotus Bastion which is part
of this flower Palace "emerges" out of the lake and
touches the heights of the impregnable fort behind it.
•All over whether it is the delicate pavilions in
garden, the painted frescoes in the guest rooms,
or some other architectural detail, the lotus
motif is every where and surely this is a veritable
PHOOL MAHAL

17. • Constructed by Maharaja Roop Singh of
Kishangarh in 1648 exclusively for defense, the
Roopangarh Fort was originally a nine-turreted
• New additions were continuously made to it in
due course.
•The different styles of architecture can be
distinctly
observed in the fort.
•It has recently been converted into a
beautiful hotel by the Maharaja and Maharani of
Kishangarh. Roopangarh, the capital of this
province for 100 years, was
never conquered despite repeated attempts
by neighboring states.
•It became the hub of activity in Kishangarh.
ROOPANGARH FORT

18. The best of architecture,
music, poetry and painting
were patronized and refined
at a court where the
delicate touch of its
artists transcribed the
beauty of living to
exquisite miniature
paintings, known today's as
The Kishangarh School.
KISHANGARH SCHOOL OF ART

19. ORIGIN AND BACKGROUND
 Bikaner developed as an important
center of rajasthani painting in
the 17th century under Raja Raj
Singh.
 The only manuscript of meghdoot
available in his time seems to be
in ‘Apabharansa’ style.
 Later on Bikaner accepted mughal
sovernity.
 A number of artists from
Arungzeb’s court migrated to
Bikaner .
 Ruknuddin , after the death of
Raja Karan Singh started painting
under Raja Anoop Singh in pure
Bikaner style.
 Bikaner adopted the mannerism of

20. SUBJECT MATTER
 Bikaner paintings have
mostly been done on
Ramayan,Mahabharat, Krishna
legends, Ragmala, Love
scenes of Radha and
Krishna, Baramasa, and
Rasik Priya.
 Ruknuddin also painted
Rasik priya and Bhagvad
Puran.
 There are both miniature
and wall paintings.
 Hunting scenes have also
been depicted beautifully
by Bikaner artists.

21. CHARACTERISTICS
 In human figures a little tight
lips were painted, eyes are
half open, chin small, wrist
are very thin, chest in
comparison to other Rajput
style seems underdeveloped and
moustaches of men a little
downward bent.
 Ghagharas of women are
decorated with diagonal
stripes, and clouds are painted
in special circular style.
 The architecture shown in the
painting is modern and
sophisticated and tonal
variation and perspective

22. KISHANGARH
 Kishangarh is a picturesque place
near Ajmer, and was established by
Raja Kishan Singh, the ninth son
of Raja Uday Singh, ruler of
Jodhpur.
 Kishangarh painting emerged as a
distinctive style in the middle of
18th century under the patronage
of Maharaja Sawant Singh.
 Nihal Chand, a gifted artist in
the Maharaja's court, produced
some highly individualistic Radha
and sophisticated works. He was
the chief artist of his court.
 The Kishangarh School of miniature

23. USTA & CHADHWA ART
 Bikaner was and is the centre for Usta
Art, a generic term for the Manoti-
Naqqashi (embossed and unembossed floral
and geometric patterned objects layered
with gold) media produced by Usta family
master artistans of Bikaner. The Usta
artists and artisans also controlled all
production of the Bikaner School
"miniature" paintings using translucent
and opaque vegetable and mineral
watercolours from the late-16th to late-
19th Century. Famous painters of the
Bikaner School were Hamid Rukn-ud-din,
Ahmad, Nathu ji, Nure, Rahim, Isa, Iso,
Sahab-ud-din, Rehim ji and Murad.
 Usta art is a characteristic art form of
Naqqashi and Manoti art practiced by the
traditional artisans of Bikaner. It
deals with creating miniature paintings
on various objects including camel skin
using water and oil colors and gold. The
Golden Usta Art used in Junagarh
fort

24. KRISHNA ON SWING

25. OTHER ARTS
 The thriving carpet weaving industry of
Bikaner earns a lot of revenue to the
local Bikaneri craftsmen. Woven in camel
hair these colorful and warm carpets
locally known as ‘durries’ comprise
the major export item of Rajasthan.
 Meenakari is yet another ancient art of
Bikaner that involves decorating the
jewellery items using shiny and precious
stones.
 The markets of Bikaner bursting with an
assortment of novelty articles viz.
camel leather products, Mojari, Rangi
dupatta, Cotton fabrics with Sanganeri
prints, Kundan work, carpets, Nokha
quilts, durries, cushion covers, beaded
and sequined gorbandhs, paintings,
wooden antiques, marble handicrafts,
silver animal figures, ethnic furniture,
Meenakari Art

26. KISHANGARH
 Kishangarh is a picturesque place
near Ajmer, and was established by
Raja Kishan Singh, the ninth son of
Raja Uday Singh, ruler of Jodhpur.
 Kishangarh painting emerged as a
distinctive style in the middle of
18th century under the patronage of
Maharaja Sawant Singh.
 Nihal Chand, a gifted artist in the
Maharaja's court, produced some
highly individualistic Radha and
sophisticated works. He was the
chief artist of his court.
 The Kishangarh School of miniature
Rajasthani Painting is one of the
richest and popular forms.

27. SUBJECT MATTER
 Hunting scenes and court
scenes in the earlier
paintings painted in fine
style.
 Portraits of Kings, nawabs,
emporars and saints have been
beautifully painted by the
painters of kishangarh school.
 Portrayal of Radha and Krishna
in elongated faces is a common
subject of Kishangarh
paintings.
 The romantic life of Radha and
Krishna described in geet
Govind by Jaydev.
 Stories from Bhagavad puran,
Bihari chandrika by Nagridas,
nayak Nayika bheda with nayak

28. CHARACTERISTICS
 The chief attraction of this school
is the depiction of women. The
women have been beautifully
painted.
 The faces are soft without being
heavy and dry
 They have been painted slim ,
flexible and tall like creepers
 Their faces with high and sloping
foreheads, pointed long nose,
bulging out well cut lips and long
chins.
 The long drawn eyes curved upward
in shape of wag tail (Khanjan
pakshi) and bow like eyebrows have
beautifully painted
 Long neck and long fingers , a lock
hair near the ear especially found
in kishngarh style only , enhance

29. STYLE
 The characteristic of the
Kishangarh School is defined
through the fine quality of
brushwork and a distinctive
portrayal of women. Radha is
highly ornamented with three
lines of white pearls and square
emeralds. The figures are tall,
slim and have a slender waist.
The eyes are almond shaped and
half closed to lend an enigmatic
quality and they do cover a large
part of the face. Radha is
dressed in the Indian attire of
Ghaghra Choli and a transparent
veil on the head and with a
flower in her hand. Krishna wears
a turban with jewels and feather
and is painted blue.

30. COLOUR
In the Kishangarh
school, the dominant
colours are blue, red,
yellow, shades of green,
orange and white. In the
beginning, they used
natural dyes. That is, red
was obtained from the
madder-root, black from
iron and vinegar, and
yellow from turmeric-root.
Colours were also made
from plants and fruits.

31. BANI THANI
 Maharaja Sawant Singh of Kishangarh,
(1748-1757) a princlely state of
Rajasthan, fell in love with a slave
girl who was brought from Delhi by his
stepmother.
 She was a singer, poetess and was
attracted towards the love songs for
Lord Krishna. Since she was elegantly
dressed and remained decorated and well
behaved, she was known as Bani Thani,
meaning well dressed.
 King Sawant Singh commanded his chief
artist Nihal Chand to paint her portrait
and since then Bani Thani is portrayed
as Radha and Sawant Singh as Krishna.
 The paintings obtained a new style for
Radha and Krishna figures. The golden
era of Kishangarh paintings was during
the time of Sawant Singh. He developed
new expressions and forms that
propagated this splendid style of
Kishangarh..The high stylization for the
expression of feminine beauty is the
supreme achievement of the Kishangarh

32. KISHANGARH PAINTINGS
Mughal Emperor on throne Camel procession

33. RaginiKrishna And His Gopis