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INDIAN ARCHITECTURE – Post Ancient Period

Dr Satya Srivastava

The advent of Islamic rule in India towards the end of the 12th century AD

witnessed the amalgamation of the Indian and the Islamic elements leading

to the emergence of a new style of architecture called the Indo-Islamic

Architecture. The Islamic elements of architecture had already passed

through different experimental phases in other countries like Egypt, Iran

and Iraq before these were introduced in India.

New elements were introduced into the Indian architecture that

include:

use of shapes (instead of natural forms);

inscriptional art using decorative lettering or calligraphy;

inlay decoration and

use of coloured marble, painted plaster and brilliantly glazed

tiles.

Basic Features of Indo- Islamic Architecture

Indigenous Indian architecture was of the trabeate order i.e. all

spaces were spanned by means of horizontal beams. The

Islamic architecture was arcuate i.e. an arch or dome was

adopted as a method of bridging a space. This concept was

borrowed and perfected by muslims from the architectural

styles of the post-Roman period.

For the first time mortar was used as a cementing agent.

Muslims made use of scientific and mechanical formulae,

derived from other civilizations. This helped

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1. In obtaining greater strength and stability of the

construction materials

2. Provided greater flexibility to the architects and

builders.

Indo-Islamic architecture was greatly facilitated by knowledge

and skill of Indian craftsmen in stonework

Islamic architecture in India is both religious and secular.

1. Mosques and Tombs - religious architecture,

2. Palaces and forts - secular Islamic architecture. Forts

were essentially functional, complete with a little

township within fortifications .

THE DELHI STYLE OF ARCHITECTURE

The Delhi or the Imperial Style of Indo-Islamic architecture flourished

between 1191-1557 AD and covered Muslim dynasties viz., Slave (1191-

1246), Khilji (1290-1320), Tughlaq (1320-1413), Sayyid (1414-1444) and Lodi

(1451-1557). The first Islamic sultanate structures were built of disparate

dismantled pieces of Hindu temples, after which came an era of carefully

planned structures and precincts, later assimilating and incorporating

Hindu elements and workmanship.

Slave Dynasty (1191-1246),

Qutubuddin Aibak began the earliest construction work of this period.

Started erecting monumental buildings of stone on Qila Rai Pithora,

the first of the seven historical cities of Delhi associated with

Prithviraj Chauhan.

The Qutb Mosque (1192 AD) or Quwwat-ul-Islam Masjid, the earliest

mosque in India has arcaded aisles composed of pillars carved in

the Hindu style. The mosque has beautiful Islamic calligraphy, the

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arabesque designs and pillars with pre-Islamic Hindu motifs. Aibak

got a series of arches constructed to screen the Hindu pillars of the

sanctuary.

Qutub-ud-din Aibak also started the construction of Qutub Minar in

1192 to commemorate the entry of Islam into India. ( Was completed

by Iltutmish in 1230). It is decorated with several calligraphic

inscriptions. The diameter of the Qutub Minar is 14.32m at the base

and about 2.75m at the top. It measures a height of 72.5m and

contains a spiral staircase of 379 steps.

Another interesting monument constructed during this time was

the Adhai-din-ka-Jhopra, located beyond the Ajmer dargah in

Rajasthan. It was constructed in 1153 AD and converted into a

mosque in 1198 AD.

Shamsuddin Iltutmish (1211-1236 AD)

He extended the Quwwat-ul-Islam Masjid (1229 AD)

Built the tomb of his son Nasiruddin Mohammed in 1231 AD, which is

locally known as the Sultan Ghari.

Started his own tomb, located in the Qutub Minar complex in 1235

AD. This tomb employed the "squinch" system of construction in

which a square hall is converted into an octagon by projecting a

small arch across the angle of the square hall.

Two other monuments near Delhi called the Hauz-i-Shamsi and the

Shamsi-Idgah.

The tomb of Balban constructed in 1280 AD represents the first true

arch built in India, which is produced by following the scientific

system originally formulated by the Roman engineers.

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Khilji Dynasty

Allauddin Khilji established

Second city of Delhi at Siri,

Built the Alai Darwaza - which served as a gateway to the mosque at

the Qutub Minar complex. This marks the evolution of another

innovative feature in the Indo-Islamic architecture.

Dug a vast reservoir at Hauz Khas around 1311AD.

The Jamaat Khana Masjid near Nizamuddin in Delhi and the Ukha

Masjid in Bharatpur in Rajasthan were also built during this period.

Tughlaq Dynasty

Ghiyasuddin Tughlaq (1320-1325 AD) built

Tughlaqabad, the third city of Delhi, in 1321-23 AD.

The Tomb of Ghiyasuddin Tughlaq, built of red sandstone, is an

irregular pentagon in its exterior plan and its design is of the pointed

or "Tartar" shape and is crowned by a finial resembling the kalasa

and amla of a Hindu temple.

Mohammad-bin-Tughlaq, built

Delhi's fourth city, Jahanpanah, in mid-14th century.

Feroz Shah Tughlaq (1351-1388 AD)

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He himself wrote in Fatuhat-i-Feroz Shah, "among the gifts which God

bestowed on me, His humble servant, was a desire to erect public

buildings".

He built Ferozabad, Delhi's fifth city, in 1354 AD. The famous Firoz

Shah Kotla ground is the only remnant of its past glory.

Credited with founding the fortified cities of Jaunpur, Fathabad and

Hissar.

The Kali Masjid (c.1370 AD), the Khirki Masjid (c.1375 AD) and the

Kalan Masjid (c.1375 AD) also belong to this period, the last two

being raised on a tahkhana or substructure of arches.

His construction works were of a unique simple style characterised

by the use of inexpensive materials.

Amongst the medieval rulers, it was only Feroze Shah Tughlaq who

took up large-scale restoration works and repaired hundreds of

monuments, including the Qutub Minar which was damaged by

lightening in 1369 AD.

Sayyid and the Lodi Dynasties,

In the 14th century under the Timurid rulers, Islamic architecture

underwent a change. The narrow horseshoe arch was replaced by the true

arch, an idea imported directly from Persia. However, Indian masons

weren’t completely convinced of its holding power. They began using

wooden beams as supports, and eventually the four-centred arch minus

the beam support came into vogue.

During the Sayyid and the Lodi Dynasties,

more than fifty tombs of different sizes were constructed.

The Lodis introduced the concept of double domes built one upon

the other, leaving some space in between. Two different types of

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tombs with octagonal and square plans respectively began to be

constructed.

The Tombs of Mubarak Sayyid (d. 1434 AD), Muhammad Sayyid

(d.1444 AD) and Sikander Lodi (d.1517 AD) are all of the octagonal

type.

The square tombs are represented by such monuments as the Bara

Khan Ka Gumbad, Chota Khan Ka Gumbad, Bara Gumbad (1494 AD),

Shish Gumbad, Dadi Ka Gumbad and the Poli ka Gumbad.

The Tomb of Isa Khan (1547 AD), the Tomb of Adham Khan (1561

AD), Moth ki Masjid (c.1505 AD), Jamala Masjid (1536 AD) and the

Qila-i-Kuhna Masjid (c.1550 AD) belong to the final phase of the Delhi

style of architecture.

THE MUGHAL STYLE OF ARCHITECTURE

The Mughal rulers were visionaries and their own personalities reflected in

the all-round development of various arts, crafts, music, building and

architecture. The Mughal dynasty was established with the victory of

Babar over Ibrahim Lodi, at Panipat in 1526 AD.

Babar took considerable interest in erecting buildings, though few have

survived.

Mosque Kabuli Bagh at Panipat in Punjab

the Jami Masjid at Sambhal near Delhi, both constructed in 1526,

have survived.

Humayun

laid the foundation of a city called Dinpanah ("refuge of the faithful")

at the Purana Qila in Delhi but the city could not be completed.

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The Mughal Empire briefly fell to the Suris in 1540 but was re-

established by Humayun in 1555.

The Persian influence into the Mughal architecture was largely a

result of Humayun's observance of this style at the court of Shah

Tahmasp during the period of his exile.

However, the Persian elements could manifest and mature only

several years after his death, as is evident in the Humayun's Tomb at

Delhi, which was designed in 1564 by his widow Haji Begum as a

mark of devotion, eight years after his death.

Humayun's Tomb represents an outstanding landmark in the

development and refinement of the Mughal style. In fact the design of

the Taj Mahal was modelled on this tomb.

Akbar (1555-1605).

The chief feature of the architecture of Akbar's time was the use of

red sandstone. In principle the construction was of the trabeate order,

although the "Tudor" arch was also used. The domes were of the "Lodi"

type, while the pillar shafts were many-sided with the capitals being in the

form of racket supports.

One of the first major building projects was the construction

of a huge fort at Agra.

The most ambitious architectural exercise of Akbar, and one

of the most glorious examples of Indo-Islamic architecture,

was the creation of an entirely new capital city at Fatehpur

Sikri. It has been described as "a frozen moment in history".

Its structures have been modelled after the simple canvas

tents used by semi-nomadic ancestors of the Mughals. The

free-standing pavilions are constructed as stone analogues of

the tents.

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The Buland Darwaza, the Panch Mahal and the Darga of

Saleem Chisti are the most imposing of all the buildings of

Fatehpur Sikri.

The Diwan-e-Khas, which was designed for private audiences

is of cube-like form with an elaborate central column

connected to the four corners by bridges. The square plan,

although of Central Asian origin, would have represented to

the Hindu craftsmen the "mandala" model of the cosmos.

There are several palaces in the complex including Jodaha

Bai's Palace and the houses of Miriam, the Sultana and Birbal.

Jahangir (1605-1627) concentrated more on painting and other forms of art

than on building and architecture. However, some note-worthy monuments

of his time include

Akbar's Tomb at Sikandra near Agra, which was completed in 1613.

Sandstone compositions of Akbar were adapted by his successors

into opulent marble masterpieces.

Jahangir is the central figure in the development of the Mughal gardens.

Shalimar Bagh on the banks of Lake Dal in Kashmir.

The adjoining Nishat Bagh built by Asaf Khan also belongs to this

period.

The Jahangir's Tomb at Shadera near Lahore, built by his wife Nur

Mahal, is another outstanding architectural production of this time.

The style of Mughal architecture found expression of exceptional

splendour during Emperor Shah Jahan's reign (1628-1658). The single most

important architectural change was the substitution of marble for the red

sandstone.

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He demolished the austere sandstone structures of Akbar in the

Red Fort and replaced them with marble buildings such as the

Diwan-i-Am and the Diwan-i-Khas.

In 1638 he began to lay the city of Shahjahanabad besides river

Jamuna

The Red Fort at Delhi represents the pinnacle of centuries of

experience in the construction of palace-forts.

Outside the fort, he built the Jama Masjid, the largest mosque in

India.

Shah Jahan built the Jami Masjid at Agra in 1648 in honour of his

daughter Jahanara Begum.

The Wazir Khan's mosque in Lahore built in 1634 is another fine

example of the Mughal art during Shah Jahan's time.

However, it is for the Taj Mahal as a memorial to his beloved wife,

Mumtaz Mahal, that he is most often remembered.

The high point of the Mughal architecture during the Shah

Jahan's time was

1. the mellow marble has subtle low relief carving,

2. lace like jalis,

3. exquisite inlays,

4. pietra dura and calligraphy. The pietra dura work was first

incorporated in the Itamad-ud-Daula's Tomb at Agra built by

Ghyas Beg, father of Nur Jehan. The extensive decoration of the

interiors of monuments with precious and semi-precious stones

using the pietra dura technique, which developed in Florence in

the 16th century, and the use of pictures, jewellery and metal-

works indicate considerable European influence on the Mughal

art of this period.

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Jahan Ara, daughter of Shah Jahan, was also a generous patron of

architecture

She built the famous Begum Ka Bagh and Begum Serai at Delhi.

She also built her own tomb near the shrine of the dargah of Hazrat

Nizauddin.

The architectural projects of Aurangazeb's reign (1658-1707) are

represented by

the Bibi-ki-Maqbara, the tomb of Aurangzeb's wife Begum Rabia

Durani, which is a poor replica of the famous Taj Mahal and is a fine

example of Mughal architecture in the Deccan region.

The death of Aurangazeb in 1707 led to the decadence of Mughal

architecture.

Aurangazeb's daughters Zeb-un-nissa and Zinat-unnisa Begum also

contributed in a small way in carrying forward the Mughal trend of

architecture. Zinat-unnisa Begum built

1. the Zinat-ul-Masjid at Daryaganj in Old Delhi built in 1711,

2. while Zeb-un-nissa built her own garden and tomb at Nawankot near

Lahore.

3. Qudsiya Begum, the wife of a later Mughal ruler, Ahmad Shah, built

the Sunheri Masjid in 1751 opposite the west gate of the Red Fort

4. The last Mughal Emperor Bahadur Shah Zafar's favourite wife Zinat

Mahal built the Zinat Mahal in the Lal Kuan bazaar in Delhi.

5. However, the only significant monument built in the post-

Aurangazeb time in Delhi was the Safdar Jung's Tomb built in 1753

by Mirza Mansoor Khan.

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THE POST-MUGHAL STYLE OF ARCHITECTURE

AVADH (OUDH) STYLE

During the latter half of the 18th century and the first half of the 19th

century, a distinct form of architecture flourished under the Nawabs of

Avadh (Oudh), whose first manifestation was noticed in the form of

Safdar Jung's tomb, built in the honour of Safdar Jung (1739-1753),

who was the nephew of the first Nawab of Oudh.

The city of Lucknow witnessed large building enterprises under

Nawab Asif-ud-Daula (1775-1795).

The most representative architectural achievement of this period is

the Bara Imambara built by the Nawab in 1784. Absence of pillars in

the main hall and simplicity of style and symmetry are its unique

features.

On the western side of the Bara Imambara is the Rumi Darwaza in

which ornamental designs radiate from the base to the top on both

the sides in the most expressive manner.

A 67-metre clock tower was built near the Rumi Darwaza in 1881.

The Chota Imambara or Husainabad Imambara, built by Muhammad

Ali Shah as his tomb, and

the Shahnajaf Imambara, housing the tomb of Nawab Ghaziuddin

Haidar are other note-worthy buildings following this style of

architecture.

Towards the middle of the 19th century, the architectural style of Avadh

began to be impregnated with elements from European sources.

Major General Claude Martin (1735-1800) built a large and

pretentious building at Lucknow, then known as "Constantia",

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which was one of the first large buildings of the European style

built in North India. This building, which had several Palladian

elements, set the tone for the development of a hybrid style of

architecture in Lucknow depicting a degenerative combination of

Mughal and Gothic styles. The best examples of this style of

architecture are

the Chattar Manzil built by Nawab Naziruddin Haider is an

imposing building, whose main attractions are the underground

rooms and a beautiful dome surrounded by a gilt umbrella.

the Kaiser Bagh built by Nawab Wajid Ali Shah between 1845

and 1850, is a quadrangular park with a baradari (pavilion) and

yellow-coloured buildings on three sides.

The Roshanwali Koti and

the Begum Koti at Hazratgunj are other buildings where the

Italian style is more prominent.

PUNJAB STYLE

In Punjab a distinct style of architecture developed under the influence

of the Mughal style. It was characterised by certain indigenous features

like

the multiplicity of chattris or kiosks,

the use of fluted dome generally covered with copper or brass-

gilt and enrichment of arches by numerous foliations.

This architecture was best manifested in the construction of the

Golden Temple at Amritsar in 1764 built by the fourth Sikh Guru

Ramdas.

THE PROVINCIAL STYLE OF ARCHITECTURE

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The Provincial Style of Architecture encompasses the

architectural trends and developments noticed in different

provincial capitals in India.

Bengal

The Pandua and Adina mosques are the earliest architectural

examples in Bengal. The tomb of Akhi Surajuddin, the Kotwali

Darwaza, the Dakhil Darwaza and the tomb of Sultan

Jalaluddin Mohammad Shah (1414-1431 AD), known as the

Eklakhi Tomb, served as prototypes for the subsequent

Islamic architecture of Bengal.

Under the Sharqi dynasty Jaunpur became a great centre of

art, culture and architectural activity.

During the rule of Shamsuddin Ibrahim (1402-1436 AD) several

palaces, mosques, tombs and other buildings came up, the

most prominent being the Atala Masjid built in 1378.

Later other important buildings were produced that include

Khalis Mukhlis Masjid (1430 AD), Jhangiri Masjid (1430 AD) Lal

Darwaza Masjid (1450 AD) and the Jami Masjid (1470 AD).

Gujarat

Gujarat witnessed significant architectural activity for over 250 years

starting from Muzaffar Shah's declaration of independence from Delhi and

the formation of the Sultanate of Gujarat in 1307 AD until the conquest of

Gujarat by the Mughal Emperor Akbar in 1500 AD.

The early phase of the architecture belonging to the 14th century is

represented by the Tomb of Baba Farid and the Adina Masjid at

Pathan, Jama Masjid of Bharuch (1300), etc.

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Under the rule of Ahmed Shahi (early 15th century) and Mahmud I

Begarha (1459-1511) different types of mosques, tombs and

gateways were built at Ahmedabad, Dholka and Sarkhej.

Malwa

The cities of Dhar and Mandu of the Malwa province provide examples of

distinct architectural elements in the form of polychromatic ornamentation

of buildings, which was obtained by the use of coloured stones and marble

as well as by means of encaustic tiles. The earliest buildings of this period

are the

Kamal Maula Masjid (1400) and the Lat Masjid (1405) at Dhar and the

Dilawar Khan Masjid (1405) and the Malik Mughis mosque (1452) at

Mandu.

The architectural activity took a new turn with the establishment of

the capital at Mandu, especially under the rule of Hoshang Shah

(1405-1435).

Important buildings in Mandu are the Jahaz Mahal , Taveli Mahal

Dilawar Khan's Mosque, Hoshang Shah's Tombetc.

As Mandu or the 'City of Joy' was associated with the romance of

the poet-prince Baz Bahadur and Rani Roopmati.

The city also has several gateways like the Delhi Darwaza, the

Alamgir and Bhangi Darwaza, Rampol Darwaza, .

Deccan

The architecture of the Deccan is marked by its distinct originality and

independence of style . It derived its elements from the architectural styles

of the Sultan of Delhi and that of the distant Persia. The earliest period of

architectural development started

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in 1347 when Allauddin Bahman Shah constructed the Gulbarga Fort

and the Jami Masjid at Gulbarga.

The second phase is represented by the architecture of Bidar

initiated by Ahmed Shah (1422-1436), which includes the Bidar Fort,

Mahmud Gawan's Madrassa and the Ali Barid's Tomb.

The tombs of the 15th century built by the Bahmani rulers of Bidar

depict distinct Persian elements dexterously combined with those of

the Delhi style.

Finally, the tombs of the Qutb Shahi dynasties of the 16th and 17th

centuries show a fully developed bulbous or "Tartar" dome, .

The Qutub Shahi and Nizam Shahi dynasties contributed greatly towards

the development of the Deccan style of architecture.

The best architectural specimen is the Charminar built in 1591 by

Mohammed Quli Qutb Shah. Often called "Arc de triumph of the

East", it is a beautiful structure with four intricately carved minarets

built with granite and lime-mortar.

The Mecca Masjid, located near the Charminar, is another

architectural beauty. It was started in 1614 by Abdullah Qutub Shah

and completed in 1687 by Aurangzeb.

The Golconda Fort built by Mohammed Quli Qutb Shah in 1525 was

an impregnable fort of great strategic importance to most of the

rulers.

The Qutb Shahi Tombs are a cluster of six magnificent tombs

situated a kilometer north of Golconda Fort's Banjara Darwaza.

These are built in a unique architectural style which is a mixture of

Persian, Pathan and Hindu forms.

The Chowmahalla Palalce was built in 1750 by Nizam Salabat Jung ,

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The Falaknuma Palace built in 1870 by Nawab Vikar-Ul-Ulmara, the

Prime Minister of Hyderabad is a rare blend of Italian and Tudor

architecture.

The Adil Shahi dynasty of Bijapur constructed several mosques, tombs and

palaces. The development of the dome reached its acme during their reign.

They also borrowed some elements like the use of symbol of crescent from

the Ottoman Empire. The most distinct monument of this period is,

undoubtedly,

the Gol Gumbaz built by Mohammad Adil Shah, which is largest

masonry dome in the world.

Bijapur is also famous for the Sat Manzil, Ibrahim Roza, Bara Kaman,

and the Gagan Mahal.

Kashmir

The Islamic architecture of Kashmir is typified by use of woodwork. The log

construction using deodar trees for the construction of wooden bridges

called kadals or the wooden shrines called ziarats are the best illustrations

of wooden architecture of Kashmir.

The mosque of Shah Hamdan in Srinagar and the Jami Masjid at

Srinagar built by Sikandar Butshikan (1400 AD) are the typical

examples .

The Mughals tried to revive the art of stone building in Kashmir in

the 16th and 17th centuries. The Fort of Hari Parbat, the Pattar Masjid

(1623) and the Akhun Mulla Shah's mosque (1649) are illustrations of

these efforts.

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Bihar

Sher Shah Suri of the Sur dynasty also made noteworthy

contribution to the Indo-Islamic architecture.

The town of Sasaram in is an excellent illustration of the Suri

monument. The tomb of Sher Shah Suri here is an

architectural masterpiece.

Sher Shah's another great contribution was the completion of

the sixth city of Delhi called the Shergarh or Dilli Sher Shai

around the Purana Qila area in 1540s. The Purana Qila has

three main gates – the Humayun darwaza, Talaqi darwaza and

Bara darwaza.

COLONIAL ARCHITECTURE

European colonists brought with them to India concepts of their

"world view" and a whole baggage of the history of European architecture -

-- Neo-Classical, Romanesque, Gothic and Renaissance. The initial

structures were utilitarian warehouses and walled trading posts, giving way

to fortified towns along the coastline.

The Portuguese

The Portuguese adapted to India climatically with appropriate

Iberian galleried patio house and the Baroque churches of Goa.

Se Cathedral and Arch of Conception of Goa ,The St. Francis

Church at Cochin, fort of Castella de Aguanda near Mumbai

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and added fortifications and structures to the Bassein fort

built by Bahadur Shah, the Sultan of Gujarat, in 1532 AD, are

examples of their architecture. The Bassein fort is famous for

the Matriz (Cathedral of St Joseph), the Corinthian pillared hall

and the Porte da Mer (sea gate).

The Danes

The Danish influence is evident in Nagapatnam, which was laid out in

squares and canals and also in Tranquebar and Serampore.

The French

The French gave a distinct urban design to its settlement in

Pondicherry by applying the Cartesian grid plans and classical

architectural patterns.

The Church of Sacred Heart of Jesus (Eglise De Sacre Coeur

De Jesus), the Eglise de Notre Dame de Anges and the Eglise

de Notre Dame de Lourdes at Pondicherry have a distinct

French influence.

The British

However, it was the British who left a lasting impact on the Indian

architecture. They saw themselves as the successors to the Mughals and

used architecture as a symbol of power. The British followed various

architectural styles – Gothic, Imperial, Christian, English Renaissance and

Victorian being the essentials.

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The first buildings were factories but later courts, schools,

municipal halls and dak bungalows came up, which were

ordinary structures built by garrison engineers.

A deeper concern with architecture was exhibited in churches

and other public buildings. Most of the buildings were

adaptations of the buildings designed by leading British

architects of that time like Wren, Adam, Nash and others in

London and other places. For instance, the Church of St. John

at Calcutta was built in 1787 inspired by St. Stephens Church

at Walbrooks, the Government House in Calcutta was built by

Capt. Charles Wyatt modelled on the Kedleston Hall of

Derbyshire,

the Indian Government Mint in Calcutta is a half-scale replica

of the Temple of Minerva at Athens and

the Pachaiyappa's Hall in Chennai was modelled on the

Athenium Temple of Theseus. Unlike Europe, however, these

buildings were built mostly of brick and stuccoed with lime .i.

Neo-Gothic architecture

Neo-Gothic architecture flourished in different parts of India under

the British, inspired by the Houses of Parliament in London.

Colonel Thomas Cowper built the town hall in Bombay during 1820

to 1835. Governor Sir Bartle Frere tried to give a truly imperial

ambience to the city of Bombay. During his reign the old town walls

were broken down and the Gateway of India was built in the Gothic

style of architecture. The Secretariat, University Library, Rajabai

Tower, Telegraph Office and the Victoria Terminus all followed the

Victorian Gothic style, similar to buildings in London. Undoubtedly,

the Victoria Terminus, designed by the architect Frederick Willaim

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Stevens , is the finest example of Gothic architecture with a subtle

hint of the Indo-Saracenic motifs.

In Varanasi, one of the true Gothic monuments is Queen’s College,

built in a perpendicular style by Major Kitoe from 1847 to 1852.

In Allahabad, the British built a series of edifices including the

University, All Saints Cathedral, the High Court and the Mayo

College.

In Calcutta, a High Court was constructed following the Gothic style.

The Howrah Bridge (1943), with its red brick facade surrounded by

eight square towers represents a combination of the Oriental and

Roman styles. Fort William, the stronghold of the British in mid 19th

century that took 13 years to construct at a cost of more than $3.5

million and the Victoria Memorial in Calcutta (1921), designed by Sir

William Emerson, are probably the most imposing of all British

structures in India.

Indo-Saracenic architecture

The passing of power from the East India Company to the British

Crown, the rise of Indian nationalism and the introduction of Railways were

the watersheds in the British Colonial Indian architectural history. New

materials like concrete, glass, wrought and cast iron opened up new

architectural possibilities. The British also started assimilating and

adopting the native Indian styles in the architecture. All these factors led to

the development of Indo-Saracenic architecture towards the end of the 19th

century.

Victorian in essence, it borrowed heavily from the Islamic style of

Mughal and Afghan rulers. The Indo-Saracenic style was Indian on the

outside and British inside.

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F.S.Growse, Sir Swinton Jacob, R.F.Chisholm and H.Irwin were the

pioneers of this style of architecture.

The Chepauk Palace in Chennai designed by Paul Benfield ,

Law Courts, Victoria Memorial Hall, Presidency College and

Senate House of Chennai, Muir College at Allahabad, Napier

Museum at Thiruvanthapuram, the Post Office, Prince of Wales

Museum and the Gateway of India in Mumbai, the Maharaja's

Palace at Mysore and M.S.University and Lakshmi Villas

Palace at Baroda.

The architecture of New Delhi was the crowning glory of the British

Raj. Robert Byron described New Delhi as "The Rome of Hindostan". The

British built New Delhi as a systematic planned city, after it was made the

capital in 1911.

The British Viceroy made Sir Edward Lutyens responsible for the

overall plan of Delhi. He was specifically directed to "harmonise externally

with the traditions of Indian art".

Thus, the western architecture with oriental motif was realised

with chajjas, jalis and chhattris, as stylistic devices in the

Viceroy's House (now Rashtrapati Bhawan).

Herbert Baker added the imposing buildings of the South

Block and the North Block, which flank the Rashtrapati

Bhawan.

Another Englishman called Robert Tor Tussell built the

Connaught Place and the Eastern and Western Courts.

St Martin’s Garrison Church marks the culmination of the

British architectural ventures in India. The Church is a huge

monolith with a high square tower and deeply sunken window

ledges reminiscent of Dutch and German architecture.

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MODERN ARCHITECTURE OF INDIA

After the British left India in 1947, Indian architecture dropped into an

abyss. Indian architects, who were relegated to the role of being assistants

to the British architects under the British Raj, took their own time to

express their ingenuity. Perhaps, there was an identity crisis, a dilemma

whether to bask in the glory of the past or move forward with times using

new ideas, images and techniques.

The post-Independence period saw the emergence of two schools of

thought in architecture –

the Revivalist and

the Modernist.

The Revivalists, advocated "continuity with the past",

The Modernists too depended heavily on the European and American

models and tried to adopt them in India. The contemporary Indian

architecture was also beset with problems like

population explosion,

lack of vision among the planners,

lack of support from the government and

a less than satisfactory standard of architecture education.

The result was that during the initial years after the Independence,

foreign architects continued to play a leading role in Indian architecture.

EMERGENCE OF INDIAN ARCHITECTURE- POST INDEPENDANCE

1. Jawaharlal Nehru, the first Prime Minister, had called for an open

architectural competition for the design of the Ashoka Hotel in 1956,

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which was won by B.E.Doctor, an architect from Bombay. Using

technology to create large pillar-less spaces, Doctor created a

facade that borrowed from Islamic, Hindu, British and modern

architecture.

2. Indian architecture witnessed a revolution when the Punjab

government engaged Le Corbusier to design the new city of

Chandigarh. Built in three stages, Corbusier divided the city into

three sections.

The 'head' consisted of political, bureaucratic and judicial

buildings, the administrative parts of the city.

The 'body' housed the university and residential complexes in

the heart of the city.

The 'feet' consisted of industrial sectors and the railway

station.

Apart from the initial layout of the city, Corbusier also designed

several buildings in Chandigarh.

The High Court building has a sloping roof, supported by

concrete walls which allow air to pass through them.

The Assembly is a squarish structure topped with a huge

industrial chimney while the Secretariat is made up of

hundreds of rooms with an airy exterior.

3. Taking inspiration from Le Corbusier's creativity, a young Indian

architect D V Joshi designed the Institute of Indology in

Ahmedabad.

4. Charles Mark Correa, Doshi’s contemporary, designed

the Hindustan Lever pavilion for the India International Trade

Fair in 1961.

Correa also designed the Gandhi Sanghralaya in Ahmedabad

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5. The Asiad Village in New Delhi, designed by Raj Rewell is one of the

architectural landmarks of modern India.

6. The lotus-shaped Bahai temple in New Delhi, designed by Fariburz

Sabha in 1980 and completed in December 1986, is an awe-inspiring

example of the ingenuity of the Indian architects.

However, the fact remains that the contemporary architecture in

India has failed to inspire. Even after 50 years of Independence our cities

are still symbolised by pre-independence buildings.

In contrast most major cities in the world have their own splendid modern

buildings to boast off.

In November 1998, the media reported that the foundation stone of

World Centre of Vedic Learning, the world's tallest building would be laid at

Karondi village, in Jabalpur in Madhya Pradesh. The building, which will be

built by the Maharishi Mahesh Yogi Vedic University, is being designed

according to the Maharishi Sthapatya Veda symbolising the victory of

India's ancient knowledge of Vastu Vidya. Indeed, India will have something

to cheer about if this building materializes!

Madhya Pradesh seems to be the only state in India which has

several grand public buildings and international award winning projects.

The New Assembly building in Bhopal and the Madhya Pradesh State

Electricity Board office in Jabalpur, The Judicial Academy in Bhopal, the

Rajiv Gandhi Jal Grahan Mission in Raipur and the proposed "White

House" in Bhopal are some fascinating examples which show that global

aesthetics is moving very fast into the smaller Indian cities.

Paradoxically, it is the smaller cities and towns like Indore, Raipur,

Rajkot, Baroda and Bhopal, with no greatly visible architectural traditions

that are displaying unprecedented alacrity in adapting to 'international

styles'. There is a growing brand of young and dynamic architects, which

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include Charles Correa, Prashant Diwakriti, Ajay Kataria, Anjum Gupta,

Vineet Chadha, Nikhil Sompura and others, who do not shy away from

experimentation. Most often these architects employ a hybrid style that is

a free mix of Roman, English, Gothic, Rajasthani and Mughal styles.

This new-age architectural aesthetics has redefined the idea of

space. The emphasis now seems to be on having more open spaces, green

spaces and natural lighting. It is, however, not possible to term this new

trend as a 'representative' architecture of our times as it is highly restricted

in geographic terms and also confined to the affluent lot.

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