Jali

Architectural decoration in Indian architecture From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

A jali or jaali (jālī, meaning "net") is the term for a perforated stone or latticed screen, usually with an ornamental pattern constructed through the use of calligraphy, geometry or natural patterns. This form of architectural decoration is common in Indo-Islamic architecture [1] It is closely related to mashrabiya in Islamic architecture.[2]

Jali at Ajitnath Jain Temple, 11th-century Gujarat
A jali is typically open, but this example of a 17th-century jali from the last Mughal period was owned by a wealthy merchant and probably placed with the external portal. Basically, the impression is friendly and inviting as the inside of the palace, but secure to outside world. The iris pattern at the top is a departure from the earlier geometry and indicates a Persian influence.
Jali panels in Rajput style, Hawa Mahal, Jaipur
Jali screens in the tomb of Akbar the Great near Agra, India

The jali allows light and air in while minimizing the sun and the rain, as well as providing cooling through passive ventilation.[3] The holes are nearly the same width or smaller than the thickness of the stone, thus providing structural strength. It has been observed that humid areas like Kerala and Konkan have larger holes with overall lower opacity than compared with the dry climate regions of Gujarat and Rajasthan.[3]

Jalis were architectural elements and designed to interlock with repeated patterns. This detail shows the relative thickness and sandstone carving (late 17th-century Mughal origin).

With the widespread use of glass in the late 19th century, and compactness of the residential areas in South Asia, jalis became less frequent for privacy and security matters.[4] In the 21st century, it has gained popularity again as a low-energy building solution for the environmental footprint of energy use by buildings.[2]

History

With the advent of Islamic architecture, the use of jalis became a prominent feature in mosques and tombs, following the same symbolic importance of light in Islam. The jalis in Islamic buildings shows a fusion of architectural styles and motifs from Indo-Islamic traditions, largely influenced by the guilds of masons working for patrons across different cultural backgrounds.[5][6]

Early jali work with multiple geometric shapes was built by carving into stone, in geometric patterns (first appearing in the Alai Darwaza of 1305 at Delhi besides the Qutub Minar); later on, the Mughals used very finely carved plant-based designs (as at the Taj Mahal). They also often added pietra dura inlay to the surrounds using marble and semi-precious stones.[1][7][failed verification]

In the Gwalior Fort near the Urwahi gate, there is a 17-line inscription dated Samvat 1553 mentioning names of some craftsmen and their creations. One of them is Khedu, who was an expert in Gwaliyai jhilmili (jali screens crafted in the Gwalior style).[8] The Mughal period tomb of Muhammad Ghaus, built in 1565 AD at Gwalior, is remarkable for its stone jalis.[9] Many of Gwalior's 19th-century houses used stone jalis. Jalis are used extensively in Gwalior's Usha Kiran Palace Hotel, formerly Scindia's guest house.

Museum collections

Some of the jalis are in major museums in the U.S. and Europe. These include the Indianapolis Museum of Art,[10] the Metropolitan Museum of Art[11] and the Victoria and Albert Museum.[12]

Illustrations

See also

References

External links

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