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MANDAN'S "DEVATA-MURTI-PRAKARNAM"
Introduction
Medieval Rajasthan is regarded in popular imagination as an age of chivalry, romance, frequent battles and acts of heroism, vividly immortalized by bards and ballad singers. This period, however, witnessed a tremendous outpouring of art, architecture, devotional poetry, and court and oral literature too.
One of the noteworthy figures of the age was Mewar's acclaimed ruler, Maharana Kumbha (r.1433-1468 A.D.). Kumbha was renowned as a scholar and writer, patron of the arts, and celebrated warrior who was successful both in protecting his ancient ancestral kingdom from the frequent attacks and invasions of neighbouring states, as well as in its territorial expansion. Tradition holds that 32 out of the 84 famed forts and fortresses of Mewar were constructed or renovated during Kumbha's reign. In addition, Maharana Kumbha's period witnessed the construction of numerous water-reservoirs, palaces, temple-complexes and temples etc. all over the kingdom as well as in areas conquered by warfare. Included in the architectural legacy left behind by this ruler are the famed fortresses of Kumbhalgarh, Achalgarh, Basantgarh, the Ranakpur temples, and various temples and the Victory Tower at Chittorgarh.
1.
A 'Sutradhar' means in the literal sense, one who holds or wields a 'plumb-line. It is also used to indicate the narrator in a drama - as in one who strings (sutra) the narration together.
