Indian Architecture
One of the most enduring achievements of Indian
civilization is undoubtedly its architecture.
Indian architecture, which has evolved through
centuries, is the result of socio-economic
and geographical conditions.
Different types of Indian architectural styles
include a mass of expressions over space and
time, transformed by the forces of history
considered unique to India.
As a result of vast diversities a, vast range
of architectural specimens have evolved, retaining
a certain amount of continuity across history.
Types of Architectures:
Colonial Architecture
Indo Islamic Architecture
Ancient Architecture
Cave Architecture
Rock Cut
Temple Architecture
Colonial Architecture
Like all other aspects of society, the colonization
of India also had a great impact on architecture.
Colonization marked a new chapter in Indian
architecture.
Though the Dutch, the Portuguese and the French
made their presence felt through their buildings
but it was the English who had a lasting impact
on architecture of India.
In the beginning of the colonial rule there
were attempts at creating authority through
classical prototypes.
In its later phase the colonial architecture
culminated into what is called the Indo-Saracenic
architecture.
The Indo-Saracenic architecture combined the
features of Hindu, Islamic and western elements.
The colonial architecture exhibited itself
through institutional, civic and utilitarian
buildings such as post offices, railway stations,
rest houses and government buildings.
Such buildings began to be built in large
numbers over the whole empire.
Colonial architecture in India followed developments
not only from metropolis but also took inspiration
from existing architecture in India.
Examples:
Santhome Church,Chennai
All Saints Cathedral, Allahabad
St. George's Cathedral, Chennai
Gole Market, New Delhi
Medak Cathedral, Telangana
Indo Islamic Architecture
The medieval period saw great developments
in the field of architecture.
With the coming of Muslims to India, many
new features came to be introduced in buildings.
The development of Muslim Style of Architecture
of this period can be called the Indo-Islamic
Architecture or the Indian Architecture influenced
by Islamic Art.
The Indo-Islamic style was neither strictly
Islamic nor strictly Hindu.
The architecture of the medieval period can
be divided into two main categories.
They are the Delhi or the Imperial Style and
the Mughal Architecture.
The Imperial Style developed under the patronage
of the Sultans of Delhi.
The Mughal Architecture was a blend of the
Islamic Architecture of Central Asia and the
Hindu Architecture of India.
Examples:
Qutub Minar, New Delhi
Alai Darwaza, New Delhi
Agra Fort, Agra
Taj Mahal, Agra
Red Fort, New Delhi
Ancient Architecture
Indian architecture is as old as the history
of the civilization.
The earliest remains of recognizable building
activity in the India dates back to the Indus
Valley cities.
Among India's ancient architectural remains,
the most characteristic are the temples, Chaityas,
Viharas, Stupas and other religious structures.
In ancient India, temple architecture of high
standard developed in almost all regions.
The distinct architectural style of temple
construction in different parts was a result
of geographical, climatic, ethnic, racial,
historical and linguistic diversities.
Examples:
Akshardham Temple, Delhi
Virupaksha Temple, Karnataka
Karla Caves, Maharashtra
Ellora Caves, Maharashtra
Cave Architecture
The cave architecture in India is believed
to have begun during the ancient time.
These caves were used by Buddhist and Jain
monks as places of worship and residence.
Initially the caves were excavated in the
western India.
Some examples of this type of cave structure
are Chaityas and Viharas of Buddhists.
The great cave at Karle is also one such example,
where great Chaityas and Viharas were excavated
by hewing out rocks.
Examples:
Mahabalipuram, Tamilnadu
Ajanta Caves, Maharashtra
Bhaja Caves, Maharashtra
Bedse Caves, Maharashtra
Sittanavasal, Tamilnadu
Rock Cut
The Rock-cut structures present the most spectacular
piece of ancient Indian art specimen.
Most of the rock-cut structures were closely
associated with various religions and religious
activities.
In the beginning, remarkable Buddhist and
Jain rock-cut structures were built in areas
such as Bihar in the east and Maharashtra
in the west.
Numerous caves were excavated by the Buddhist
monks for prayer and residence purposes.
The best example of this is Chaityas (prayer
halls) and viharas (monasteries).
Inside these rock-cut structures, windows
and balconies and gates were carved as huge
arch shaped openings.
Rock-cut architecture occupies a very important
place in the history of Indian Architecture.
The rock-cut architecture differs from traditional
buildings in many ways.
The rock-cut art is more similar to sculpture
than architecture as structures were produced
by cutting out solid rocks.
Some prominent rock-cut structures of ancient
India are Chaityas, Viharas, temples etc.
Examples:
Kailasa temple, Ellora
Pancha Rathas, Mahabalipuram
Barabar Caves, Bihar
Badami Cave Temples, Karnataka
Ajanta Cave, Maharashtra
Temple Architecture
In ancient India, temple architecture of high
standard developed in almost all regions.
The distinct architectural style of temple
construction in different parts was a result
of geographical, climatic, ethnic, racial,
historical and linguistic diversities.
Ancient Indian temples are classified in three
broad types.
This classification is based on different
architectural styles, employed in the construction
of the temples.
Three main style of temple architecture are
the Nagara or the Northern style, the Dravida
or the Southern style and the Vesara or Mixed
style.
But at the same time there are also some regional
styles of Bengal, Kerala and the Himalayan
areas.
Examples:
Brihadeeswarar Temple, Thanjavur
Jagadamba Temple, Madhya Pradesh
Sun Temple, Modhera
Konark Sun Temple, Orissa
Chennakeshava Temple, Karnataka
