Sanrachna

Ever heard of an ancient defense system that reveals enemies just through their lightest whispers and movements? This episode takes us to Hyderabad's Golconda fort and Gol Gumbaz to highlight the ancient acoustic systems in place.

Did you know that some of the most impressive temples in the country have been carved manually by artisans chipping away at a single rock? This episode takes a look at the technique of monolithic building through the monuments at Mahabalipuram and Ajanta-Ellora.

Long before modern climate control technology took over, our ancestors designed cooling systems based on natural principles that cooled massive structures. This episode takes us to Rajasthan's Hawa Mahal and Chand Baori to take a look at how the monuments are constructed in order to keep them naturally cool.

India is a country dotted by majestic forts that have gone down in history as a testimony to a kingdom's greatness. This episode takes a look at the process of fortifying involved in architecture through the forts of Janjira and Daulatabad.

Situated in two separate states of India lie two monuments which have stood the ravages of time. Vijay Stambh, also known as the Tower of Victory, is a nine-storied tower which was built to commemorate King Rana Kumbha's victory over the armies of Mewar. Brihadeshwara Temple, a Hindu temple, was built as a dedication to Lord Shiva and stands tall at 216 feet.

The acquisition of data using astronomy is a tradition that dates back to the 1600 BC. And it was this tradition, which made us travel to the Konark Sun Temple in Orissa, and then the Jantar Mantar in Jaipur. Submerged in age-old glory and stories of stone, these astronomical wonders were one of the earliest constructions by our ancestors that gave the world the ability to tell time.

Man understood the need for having a roof over his head as one of his basic necessities, and so came into being the Ajanta Caves in Maharashtra and the Udayagiri and Khandgiri Caves in Orissa. Masterpieces of the most exemplary architecture, engravings and sculptures seen by the eye, both sets of caves served as monasteries for Buddhist and Jain monks.

Man understood the need for having a roof over his head as one of his basic necessities, and so came into being the Ajanta Caves in Maharashtra and the Udayagiri and Khandgiri Caves in Orissa. Masterpieces of the most exemplary architecture, engravings and sculptures seen by the eye, both sets of caves served as monasteries for Buddhist and Jain monks.

Visit the future by stepping into the past. Six hundred years ago, the city of Mandav successfully worked towards water conservation and rain water harvesting. In the Kanheri Caves, the locals found ways to store clean water, cool buildings like the system of air-conditioning and create saunas by simply using the flow of water effectively.

Admire the architectural genius of 'Do Minara', popularly known as 'Jhulta Minara'. These two tall towers or Minaras which are located in Ahmedabad are made of Sandstone and swing simultaneously without having any visible connections when one is pushed. From shaking minarets, now travel to Junagarh Mahabat and Bahauddin Maqbara, a sensation of the Indo-Islamic architecture.

The Lepakshi temple in Andhra Pradesh and the Vitthala temple of Hampi in Karnataka are two monuments that stand and are the perfect examples of imperial architecture that focused on exquisite detailing and intricacy in their pillars. The hanging pillar at Lepakshi and the musical pillars at Vitthala spark curiosity making us wonder and question the specialty that lied these pillars.

In trying to connect our world and the one before ours, we pay a visit to the doorways of India: The Buland Darwaza in Fatehpur Sikri in Agra, and Charminar in Hyderabad. With their domes touching the colors of the sky, they are the answers to a rich culture and history that shaped India's legacy. Architecturally pure, their engravings tell us of a past that has now, given us our present.

Sanchi in Madhya Pradesh houses the well-known Buddhist Vihara known for its great Stupa. This episode highlights the gradual construction of this architectural virtuoso.Following this great marvel, go to the world's tallest monolithic structure in Shravanabelagola, the statue of Gommateshvara Bahubali which was created by Chamundaraya on 13th March, 1981.