02 Indian Architecture

ARCHITECTURE OF INDIA
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.
Hindu temple architecture is mainly divided into the Dravidian style of the south
and the Nagara style of the north, with other regional styles. Housing styles also
vary between regions, partly depending on the different climates.
The architecture of India includes present day India, Pakistan, Bangladesh and Sri
Lanka.
These countries later on got separated by political boundaries but, still share a
common cultural heritage.
The diversity of Indian culture is represented in its architecture.
Indian Architecture comprises a blend of ancient and varied native traditions, with
building types, forms and technologies from West, Central Asia and Europe.
Indian Architecture has influenced the surrounding regions of the world, especially
Eastern Asia, due to the spread of ideas with Buddhism.
A number of Indian Architectural features such as the Stupa (Temple Mound), Sikhara
(Temple Spire), Pagoda (Temple Tower), Torana (Temple Gate), have become famous
symbols of Hindu-Buddhist culture, used extensively in East Asia and South East Asia.
Early Indian Architecture is the story of how powerful and popular religions
celebrated their beliefs through monumental design.
FORMATION AND DEVELOPMENT
Geographical Condition:
A.The Rivers Indus and Ganges
B.The Himalayas
C.The Everest Mountain
D.Surrounded by seas and Indian Ocean
E.Many cities were founded on the banks of rivers
Geological Condition:
A.Timber was available in Indus and Ganges River
B.In some part of India, white marble is available
C.In some parts of India, rock cut temples were also available
FORMATION AND DEVELOPMENT
Climatic Condition:
A.More than half of the country lies in Tropic Cancer
B.The climate therefore varies widely
C.Rainy and summer season
D.In north, flat roofs were common but steep pitched roofs were used in West Coast
due to heavy rain.
Religion Condition:
A.Hinduism
B.Buddhism
C.Jainism
INDUS VALLEY CIVILIZATION
The earliest known civilization in the Indo-Pak region of South Asia.
The Indus Valley Civilization is dated around 3000 B.C.
Comprises many urban settlements, including the large cities of Harappa and
Mohenjo Daro.
Characterized by a variety of house types, many of which had private baths
connected to public drainage systems.
The arch, a cornerstone of world architecture, was first developed by the Indus
Valley Civilization, and would later be a staple of Indian Architecture.
The earliest production of the Indus Valley Civilization was characterized by well
planned cities and houses where religion did not seem to play an active role.
The presence of drainage systems and public baths showed advance standards of
hygiene and sanitation and ingenious planning.
INDUS VALLEY CIVILIZATION
ELEMENTS OF INDIAN ARCHITECTURE
Sikhara
 These are the peaks of the towers
rising from the core of Hindu Temples.
 These towers are always
extravagantly decorated.
 They vary in shape throughout the
country.
 a Sanskrit word translating literally to
"mountain peak", refers to the rising
tower in the Hindu temple architecture
of North India, and also often used in
Jain temples.
ARCHITECTURAL STYLE OF INDIA
1.Colonial Architecture
2.Indo-Islamic Architecture
3.Ancient Architecture
4.Cave Architecture
5.Rock-cut Architecture
6.Temple Architecture
COLONIAL ARCHITECTURE
Like all other aspects, colonization of Indian also had an impact on architecture
style. With colonization, a new chapter in Indian architecture began. The Dutch,
Portuguese and the French made their presence felt through their buildings but
it was the English who had a lasting impact on architecture.
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
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.
Colonial Architecture in India followed developments not only from Metropolis
but also took inspiration from existing architecture in India.
COLONIAL ARCHITECTURE
Santhome Cathedral Basilica All Saint’s Cathedral

Chennai, India Allahabad, India
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.
Delhi/Imperial Style Architecture – developed under the patronage of the Sultans of Delhi.
Mughal Architecture – blend of the Islamic Architecture of Central Asia and the Hindu Architecture of
India.
INDO-ISLAMIC ARCHITECTURE
Taj Mahal Red Fort

Agra, India New Delhi, India
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.
ANCIENT ARCHITECTURE
Akshardham Temple Virupaksha Temple

New Delhi, India Karnataka, India
CAVE ARCHITECTURE
The cave architecture in India is believed to have begun in the third century BC.
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 of Karle is also one such example, where great Chaityas and
Viharas were excavated by hewing out rocks.
CAVE ARCHITECTURE
Ajanta Caves Bhaja Buddhist Caves

Maharashtra, India Maharashtra, India
ROCK-CUT ARCHITECTURE
The Rock-cut structures present the most spectacular piece of ancient Indian art specimen.
Most of the rock-cut structures were related to various religious communities. In the beginning,
remarkable Buddhist and Jain monuments were produced 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 Architecture is more similar to sculpture that architecture as structures were
produced by cutting out solid rocks.
Some prominent rock-cut structures of Ancient India are Chaityas, Viharas, Temples, etc.
ROCK-CUT ARCHITECTURE
Kailasa Temple Pancha Rathas

Maharashtra, India Tamil Nadu, India
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 Architecture:
Nagara/Northern Style – characterized by beehive shaped tower called a sikhara. The plan is
based on a square but the walls are sometimes so broken up that the tower gives the impression of
being circular.
Dravida/Southern Style – has a pyramid shaped tower consisting of progressively smaller storeys of
small pavilions, a narrow throat and a dome on the top. The repeated storeys give a horizontal visual
thrust to the southern style.
Vesara/Mixed style - a hybrid form of Indian temple architecture, with South Indian plan and a
shape that features North Indian details.
TEMPLE ARCHITECTURE
Kandariya Mahadev Temple Meenakshi Temple

Madhya Pradesh, India Madurai, India
Nagara Style / Northern Style Dravidian / Southern Style
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ARCHITECTURE OF INDIA

Santhome Cathedral Basilica All Saint’s Cathedral

Taj Mahal Red Fort

Akshardham Temple Virupaksha Temple

Ajanta Caves Bhaja Buddhist Caves

Kailasa Temple Pancha Rathas

Kandariya Mahadev Temple Meenakshi Temple

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