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Champaner-Pavagarh
Archaeological Park (2004), Gujarat
Champaner is located at a distance of 50 km from Baroda and at the
foothill of the Pavagadh hill in Gujarat. The Pavagadh hill composed
of reddish-yellow coloured stone formation is one of the oldest rock
formations in India. The hill rises to a height of nearly 800 m from
the mean sea level.
Pavagadh hill was a famous Hindu fortress under the Solanki kings
of Gujarat followed by Khichi Chauhans. In 1484, Sultan Mahmud Begarah
took possession of the fort and renamed it Muhammadabad. These
monuments are located on the Mauliya plateau, which is situated on the
hill. The earliest temple datable to 10th – 11th century is
dedicated to Lakulisa of which only gudhamandapa and antarala is
extant. Other temples belong to Hindu and Jaina sects and are datable
to circa 13th – 15th centuries A.D. All the temples are of the
Nagara style having garbhagriha, mandapa and an entrance porch.
The historical monuments at Champaner consist of a series of
fortifications, some of which originate on the hill top and end on the
plains. The fortification is consisted of massive sandstones with
intermediate bastions with beautiful balconies. Out of the massive
ruins, five mosques are still in good condition. The most important
among them is the Jama Masjid which is located 50 east of the royal
enclosure. The structures represent a perfect blend of Hindu-Moslem
architecture, mainly in the Great Mosque (Jami Masjid), which was a
model for later mosque architecture in India. This special style comes
from the significant period of regional sultanates.

The Champaner-Pavagadh Archaeological Park with its ancient Hindu
and Jaina architecture, temples and special water retaining
installations together with its religious, military and agricultural
structures, dating back to the regional Capital City built by Mehmud
Begda in the 16th century, represents cultures which have disappeared.
 
Open from sunrise to sunset
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