>AjaxSmack at 03:12, 1 March 2021

2021-03-01T03:12:31Z

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{{Use dmy dates|date=July 2019}}
[[Image:TombSalimChisti.jpg|thumb|The tomb of [[Salim Chishti]] in [[Fatehpur Sikri]] (India) exhibiting a deep ''chhajja'' following the perimeter of the building supported with elaborate brackets]]
A '''''chhajja''''' is an overhanging [[eave]] or [[roof]] covering found in [[India]]n [[architecture]]. It is characterised with large support brackets with different artistic designs. Variation is also seen in its size depending on the importance of the building on which it features or the choice of the designer.<ref name="[1] Nath 1987">{{cite journal |last1=Nath |first1=R. |title=Khaprel Roof and Chhappar Ceiling: Folk Elements in Mughal Architecture (Fatehpur Sikri, A. D. 1572-1585) |journal=Archives of Asian Art |date=1987 |volume=40 |pages=69–73 |jstor=20111173 |url=http://www.jstor.org/stable/20111173 |access-date=11 September 2020}}</ref>

Its function is similar to that of other [[Overhang (architecture)|overhangs]] or eaves in that it protects and adorns entrances, arches and [[window]]s from the outside elements. Some styles of roof can be considered large chhajja as well.<ref name="[1] Nath 1987" />

==History==
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.<ref name="[2] Azam 2003">{{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}}</ref>

The original inspiration of the chhajja and much of the other Indian architectural elements with which it is commonly 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.<ref name="[1] Nath 1987" />

Curved chhajja became popular in [[Mughal architecture]] particularly during and after the reign of [[Shah Jahan]].<ref name="[3] Parihar 1997">{{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}}</ref>

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.<ref name="[2] Azam 2003" />

Later in the Mughal rule, buildings like the [[Zafar Mahal (Mehrauli)|Zafar Mahal]] also illustrated a use for the chhajja for both practical and ornamental means.<ref name="[4] Paliwal 2014">{{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}}</ref>

==Usage==

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.

===Usage in Mughal Architecture===

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 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.<ref name="[2] Azam 2003" /><ref name="[5] Parihar 2004">{{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}}</ref>

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]], formally known as Saydabad. 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.<ref name="[3] Parihar 1997" />

What appears to be chhajja also appears on fortifications in Mughal [[Sarai (resting place)|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.<ref name="[7] Parihar 1987">{{cite journal |last1=Parihar |first1=S. |title=The Mughal Sarai at Doraha — Architectural Study |journal=East and West |date=1987 |volume=37(1/4) |issue=1/4 |pages=309–325 |jstor=29756822 |url=http://www.jstor.org/stable/29756822 |access-date=12 October 2020}}</ref>

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.<ref name="[4] Paliwal 2014" />

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.<ref name="[1] Nath 1987" />

===Modern Usage===
Chhajja are seen in [[contemporary architecture]] where there have been attempts to replicate a traditional middle eastern or Indian subcontinent architectural style.<ref name="[6]">{{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}}</ref>

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<ref name="[8]">{{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}}</ref>
}}

== References ==
{{Reflist}}

[[Category:Architecture of India]]
[[Category:Mughal architecture]]
[[Category:Architectural elements]]
[[Category:Roofs]]
[[Category:Islamic architectural elements]]

Chhajja - Revision history

>AjaxSmack at 03:12, 1 March 2021