Chhajja

Although there is no conclusive agreement on when the chhajja emerged as an architectural element, it can be traced back to before the rise of the Mughal Empire in India. However, much of its popular use seems to be during this time.{{cite journal |last1=Azam |first1=N. |title=Development of Mosque Architecture Under Babur |journal=Proceedings of the Indian History Congress |date=2003 |volume=64 |pages=1406–1413 |jstor=44145570 |url=http://www.jstor.org/stable/44145570 |access-date=11 September 2020}}

The original inspiration of the chhajja and much of the other Indian architectural elements with which it is commonly not seen can be traced back to building design from older periods, such as that of bamboo and thatch village huts that can still be found today. The elements of these buildings may have simply been built in stone and made to have a more dignified look that can be seen in many buildings today. This works especially well to counteract the specific climate of the region, as many older architectural designs have been honed to deal with this. Simply adapting a tried and tested design with stronger materials and may be the best course of action.

Curved chhajja became popular in Mughal architecture particularly during and after the reign of Shah Jahan.{{cite journal |last1=Parihar |first1=S. |title=Architectural Remains at Bahadurgarh |journal=Islamic Studies |year=1997 |volume=36 |issue=1 |pages=97–106 |jstor=23076085 |url=http://www.jstor.org/stable/23076085 |access-date=11 September 2020}}

By the time that buildings like the Jahangiri Mahal at Agra and the palace complex at Fathpur Sikri were built, it emerged as a popular and important architectural element of Mughal architecture.

Later in the Mughal rule, buildings like the Zafar Mahal also illustrated a use for the chhajja for both practical and ornamental means.{{cite journal |last1=Paliwal |first1=A. |title=Zafar Mahal: Exploring the History of Late Mughal Architecture |journal=Proceedings of the Indian History Congress |date=2014 |volume=75 |pages=1081–1089 |jstor=44158495 |url=http://www.jstor.org/stable/44158495 |access-date=11 September 2020}}

Although chhajja are generally constructed in a manner which can be seen as aesthetically artistic, they have many usage cases in many different types of buildings.

Despite initial Mughal built mosques not featuring chhajja, the Baburi (Babur style) mosque built in Ayodhya features eaves in the form of chhajja. After this, chhajja were not a rare sight in mosque architecture within the Indian subcontinent, such as those within the mosques of Sirhind, where many of the arches are adorned with chhajja.{{cite journal |last1=Parihar |first1=S. |title=Historical Mosques of Sirhind |journal=Islamic Studies |date=2004 |volume=43 |issue=3 |pages=481–510 |jstor=20837363 |url=http://www.jstor.org/stable/20837363 |access-date=12 October 2020}}

Although Mughal architecture is the dominant user of chhajja, lesser known constructions undertaken by the Maratha empire in occupied territory also features this, such as in the architectural remains in Bahadurgarh, formerly known as Saydabad.{{Cite journal |last=Akhtar |first=Munazzah |date=2012-01-01 |title=Heart Pleasing and Praiseworthy Buildings: Reviewing Mughal Architecture in the light of Primary Sources |url=https://www.academia.edu/41964092 |journal=Pak. J. Eng. Appl. Sci. |volume=10}} Despite the usual aesthetically eloquent chhajja constructions seen in Indian architecture, a more practical utilitarian version is used in forts as found in the remains at Bahadurgarh.

What appears to be chhajja also appears on fortifications in Mughal Sarai such as the one found at Doraha for both a practical and decorative purpose. Here, chhajja are seen in an elegant semi-hexagonal configuration. There is speculation that here there were more chhajja that have since crumbled.{{cite journal |last1=Parihar |first1=S. |title=The Mughal Sarai at Doraha — Architectural Study |journal=East and West |date=1987 |volume=37 |issue=1/4 |pages=309–325 |jstor=29756822 |url=http://www.jstor.org/stable/29756822 |access-date=12 October 2020}}

Mahals and palaces were frequently built with extravagant artistic chhajja. This is seen in buildings such as the Zafar Mahal constructed during the late Mughal rule. This features a chhajja formed with multi-foliated arches resting on four baluster columns, creating an extravagant appearance.

Chhajja and other architectural elements that supplement it appear mostly in buildings such as residential, administrative and formal buildings and pavilions. Much like on other ways of life, imperial builders possibly wished to represent a sincere desire to find emotional rapport with the local people through identifying with local architectural elements. This suggests chhajja have been used for longer than current standing structures would represent.

Chhajja are seen in contemporary architecture where there have been attempts to replicate a traditional middle eastern or Indian subcontinent architectural style.{{cite web |title=INTERVIEW WITH DESIGNER PRAGATI JAIN: WHEN CULTURE MEETS DESIGN |url=https://www.zingyhomes.com/latest-trends/house-chajja-designs/ |access-date=12 October 2020}}

The common usage of chhajja is portrayed in the first two stanzas of Ashwini Magotra's 2004 poem "Lohri":

{{Poem quote|

1=Here comes Lohri, festival of youngsters

moving with arms around each other

dancing Bhangra, going around asking Lohri-gifts

Oh, here's a group dressed as Haran

There's another, with decorated Chhajja

cavorting to steps of Dandaras{{cite journal |last1=Magotra |first1=A. |last2=Gupta |first2=L. |title=Lohri |journal=Indian Literature |year=2004 |volume=48(4(222)) |issue=4 (222) |page=59 |jstor=23341541 |url=http://www.jstor.org/stable/23341541 |access-date=11 September 2020}}

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Category:Architecture in India

Category:Mughal architecture elements

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Category:Islamic architectural elements