Question

Dochala and Chauchala are terms associated with___
a. Roof of a structure
b. Priest in the temple
c. Rulers
d. Gateway to a temple

Answer 1

Hint:
Dochala and Chauchala are typical Bengali style temple architecture.

Complete step by step solution:
Dochala and Chauchala are terms associated with the roof of a structure. The local deities were once worshipped in thatched huts in villages from 16th century onwards and they gained the recognition of the Brahmanas. Their worship imagines began to housed to several temples. These temples started copying the double-roofed (Dochala) or four-roofed (chauchala) structures of the thatched huts. This led to the evolution of a typical Bengali style in temple architecture.
The characteristic features of the Bengali roofs are the broad partial dome-like shape of the roof with runners down the corners. The most common types of roofs are Dochala, which has only two hanging roof tips on each side of a roof divided in the middle by a ridge and Chauchala, which is a bit rare and has two roof halves that are fused into one unit and have a dome-like shape.
These roof structures appeared for the first time in the 16th century. Some early examples are located in the Bengali ruined city of Gaur, including the Mausoleum of Fateh Khan who was the son of a general of the Mughal Emperor Aurangzeb.
The architecture of Bengal comprises of the modern country of Bangladesh and the Indian states of West Bengal, Tripura and Assam’s Barak Valley. It has a long and rich history and blends indigenous elements from the Indian subcontinent. It is influenced by different parts of the world. Bengali Architecture includes ancient urban architecture, religious architecture, rural vernacular architecture, colonial townhouses, country houses and modern urban styles. The most notable architectural export of Bengal is its ‘bungalow style’.


Hence, the correct answer is option A.

Note:
These Bengali curved roofs are very suitable for heavy rains and were adopted into a distinct local style of Indo-Islamic architecture. They were used decoratively in northern India.