India nurtured various cultures in ancient times. Along with literature, fine art, music, dance and drama, architecture too in all its grandeur rose to great heights.
Vastness of India has largely contributed to varied climatic conditions across the country influencing style of the buildings structures accordingly.
Diverse geography, rulers, religions together has resulted into a fascinating mosaic of architecture. Therefore, different region of India has typical individual characteristics in their architecture. Thus one of the most enduring achievements of Indian civilization is undoubtedly its architecture that extends beyond Taj Mahal or Khajuraho Temples or Vijayanagara architecture.
Indian architecture evolved in different periods of history bears the symbol of respective periods. Though Indus Valley sites of Harappa, Mohenjo-daro, and Lothal provide substantial evidence of extensive town planning - the beginnings of Indian architecture are more properly to be dated to the advent of Buddhism in India during the reign of Ashoka (269 BC to 232 BC) and the construction of Buddhist monasteries and stupas. Among the many highlights of Buddhist art and architecture are the Great Stupa at Sanchi and the rock-cut caves at Ajanta and Ellora.
With the establishment of Hindu kingdoms in South India by the eighth century, the south Indian school of architecture began to flourish. The most notable amongst them are rock-cut temples of Mahabalipuram and Kanchipuram built by Pallava rulers near present day Chennai. The Chola, Hoyasala and Vijayanagar rulers also has remarkable contribution in the field of architecture. The temples at Madurai, Thanjavur, Belur and Halebid are testimony to the architectural excellence of the South Indian rulers.
The period or 10th to 13th century temple architecture flourished throughout India. Whereas in central India the Chandellas built a magnificent complex of temples in Khajuraho,Solanki kings of present day Gujarat were lavishly spending on buildings and the Surya or Sun temple in Modhera is the living example. More stupendous still is the Surya temple at Konarak and dome of the masterpieces of Orissan architecture are to be found in east.
Another remarkable characteristic of temple architecture is cave temples which flourished in different parts of India in different period of time and some of finest example of these temples are caves of Ajanta and Ellora in western India, caves of Badami in south and caves of Khadagiri in Orissa in the east.
The weakness of Muslim dynasties in the north enabled Rajput kings to assert their independence resulting revival of Rajasthani fort and palace architecture. Forts and Palace of Jaipur, Udaipur, Jodhpur, Jaisalmer, Bikaner, Chittor and hundreds of smaller forts in Rajasthan still standing tall to tell story of Rajput glory.
The Mughal emperors of India, most particularly Humayun, Akbar, Jahangir and Shah Jahan have heavily contributed to the monumental architecture. Many mosques, mausoleums, forts, palaces, and other buildings still stand as a witness to it. The principal sites of Mughal architecture are Lahore, Delhi, Agra, and Fatehpur Sikri, though dazzling specimens of Mughal architecture are found elsewhere too.
Shah Jahan constructed a new capital then to be known as Shahjahanabad which is present Old Delhi. It’s most famous buildings include the Jama Masjid one of the largest mosques in the world, and the Red Fort (Lal Qila) which over the last four hundred years has become uniquely emblematic to Mughal power. Akbar likewise built a new capital at Fatehpur Sikri, a few miles outside Agra. Some have described the complex of buildings at Fatehpur Sikri which include the majestic Buland Darwaza and Salim Chisti's tomb as the most splendorous accomplishment of Mughal architecture. Among the most exquisite of the Mughal works of architecture are various mausoleums, including Humayun's Tomb in Delhi, Akbar's Tomb in Sikander, and the Taj Mahal, an edifice of such ravishing beauty that it has now become icon of India itself. Mughal emperors also laid down elaborate gardens, the finest of which are to be found in Srinagar, and built elaborate forts, principally at Agra, Ajmer, Lahore and Allahabad.
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 which are to be witnessed in Kerala, Puducherry and Goa. However, it was the English who had a lasting impact on Indian architectural history. The British rule is associated mainly with monumental civic buildings, such as the Victoria Terminus in Bombay, or commemorative exercises typified by the Victoria Memorial in Calcutta. There are some notable specimens of church architecture, such as St. James's Church in Delhi, but the principal regal contribution of the British appears to be the construction of a new capital in Delhi.
Though colonial construction largely dominated architectural development in India, indigenous styles of architecture did not entirely suffer a demise. Intricately carved large Havelis (private mansions), enticing step-wells were still constructed during this time.
India has totally kept pace with changing architectural parameters. Whereas grandeur was the flavor of the past, space management is the need of the present given the amount of land left for dwelling and Chandigarh is one such example of modern day town planning.
Though few people associate India with it, the work of many Indian architects such as Charles Correa and Balkrishna Doshi is renowned internationally. Other prominent architects are Laurie Baker an Englishman settled in India who first became known for designing low-cost housing and using only local materials and Satish Gujral who is better known as a painter.
However, interesting aspect of Indian architecture is that we are successfully retaining values of the past blending seamlessly with modern architectural. One such example is the concept of "Vaastushastra" which is still largely practiced in Indian constructions. So, in a way, it can be said that the Modern architecture in India is actually tracing back the path of architectural brilliance followed in the past with some changes brought in as per the demand of the time and situation.
Chariot Indiais equipped to organize tours for those who wish to explore the glorious architectural history or would like to reveal the mystery of their engineering, We compile a tailor made itinerary for such requests. Please feel free to write to us.
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