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INTRODUCTION
Indian architecture
Indian architecture encompasses a wide variety of geographically and historically
spread structures, and was transformed by the history of the Indian subcontinent. The
diversity of Indian culture is represented in its architecture. Indian architecture comprises
of a blend of ancient and varied native traditions, with building types, forms and
technologies from West, Central Asia, and Europe.
Studies of Indian architecture normally begin with the Indus Valley Civilisation, moving
through the late Vedic period, the Maurya-Gupta age of Buddhist monuments,
monasteries and Indian rock-cut architecture, followed by the great temple-building of
the medieval era. The rise of the Mughal Empire in the 16th century established a
sophisticated synthesis of Indian regional elements with ideas from Persia and West Asia,
which is recognised today as Mughal architecture.
Hindu architecture
The reference to Hindu temples goes back to 5th century BC in the texts by Panini. The
two most important and dominant temple architectural styles are the southern Dravida
and the northern Nagara styles, differing mainly in the shape of the roofing structure, the
former being a stepped pyramid while the latter has a curved profile, epitomised in
productions such as the magnificent Brihadeeswara Temple, Thanjavur, and the Sun
Temple, Konark.
Buddhist and Islamic elements have influenced Hindu temple architecture to a
considerable extent. Along with these arose a number of varied regional styles of temples
in places like Bengal, Kashmir and Kerala. Some Hindu temples during the early
medieval era were rock-cut - The Kailasanatha temple at Ellora was excavated from top
to bottom out of a massive rock face.
STRUCTURE:
The structural system of temples was essentially post and beam and with massive blocks
of stone being the basic raw material for the Indian craftsman without any use of mortar.
Decoration and sculpture was fundamental to Indian architecture.
The garbhagriha or the sanctum sanctorum forms the central focus housing the deity of
the temple and is provided with a circulation passage around which is small in scale when
compared to the whole temple complex. It is articulated externally by the vimanam (or
sikhara), the towering roof-structure. Mandapas (multiple pillared halls) are found
preceding the garbhagriha. In many temples such as the Sri Ranganathaswamy Temple
at Srirangam, prakaras (concentric enclosures) along with the series of entrance gateways
(gopurams), reduce in scale moving towards the garbha-griha, setting up a rhythm of
solids and voids as well as providing a ritual and visual axis.
List of notable Hindu temples outside India:
Angkor Wat in Cambodia
Hindu temples in Java and Bali, including Prambanan
Neasden Temple in United Kingdom
Swaminarayan temple, Chicago, USA
Hindu architecture includes:
1. Buddhist and Jain architecture-
Numerous fine stupas can be found at Sanchi and Sarnath. This is includes Maharashtra’
s magnificent rock-cut cave complexes of Ajanta and Ellora in which the caves are
intricately sculpted and brilliantly coloured. The Jain temples have a richness of
sculptural detail, in the Dilwara Temples in Mt.Abu.
2. Rajput architecture
Rajput architecture was inspired partly by the existing Indic styles of architecture, and
partly by interaction with the Persian and Islamic world, with a greater emphasis on
arches, domes, and other Saracenic features. This includes Palaces and forts in Rajasthan
of Jaisalmer, Jodhpur and Jaipur.
3. South Indian architecture~
The Vijayanagara Architecture which pertains to the their capital at
Vijayanagara on the banks of the Tungabhadra River in Karnataka, India which
included a number of temples, monuments and palaces.
Hoysala Architecture – It is the distinctive building style developed under the
rule of the Hoysala Empire including the Chennakesava Temple at Belur, the
Hoysaleswara Temple at Halebidu, and the Kesava Temple at Somanathapura.
Pallava and Chola Architecture
i. The Pallavas ruled from AD (600-900) and their greatest constructed
accomplishments are the single rock temples in Mahabalipuram and their capital
Kanchipuram, now located in Tamilnadu.
ii. The Chola kings ruled from AD (900-1150) and included Rajaraja Chola I and his
son Rajendra Chola who built temples such as the Brihadeshvara Temple and Siva
temple of Thanjavur.
Influence of Islam and Mughal architecture
With the advent of Islam, Indian architecture was adapted to accommodate the traditions
of the new religion which was called the Indo-Islamic architecture described later.
Arches and domes began to be used, and the mosque began to form part of the landscape.
Most of the Islamic buildings in India were built during the Mughal period, the
architecture of which built on traditional Hindu architecture but incorporated Persian
influences. Over time, Hindu and Islamic architecture produced a synthesis that is
exemplified by the city of Fatehpur Sikri, and the Taj, renowned for its proportions, white
marble, its intricate engravings, its minarets and its setting.
The most popular Islamic building type in India is the mausoleum (tomb) and tombs were
set in gardens known as the char-bagh. Well known examples are the Gol Gumbaz,
Bijapur and the Taj Mahal, Agra.
Islamic architecture
Islamic architecture has encompassed a wide range of both secular and things to do with
alah like architecture styles from the foundation of Islam to the present day, influencing
the design and construction of buildings and structures within the sphere of Islamic
culture.
A specifically recognisable Islamic architectural style developed soon after the time of
the Prophet Muhammad, developing from Roman, Egyptian, Byzantine, and
Persian/Sassanid. Some of the examples are:
The Dome of the Rock (Qubbat al-Sakhrah) in Jerusalem.
The Great Mosque of Samarra in Iraq.
History- In 630C.E. Muhammad's army reconquered the city of Mecca from the Banu
Quraish tribe. The holy sanctuary of Ka'ba was rebuilt and re-dedicated to Islam, the
reconstruction being carried out before Muhammad's death in 632C.E. by a shipwrecked
Abyssinian carpenter in his native style. This sanctuary was amongst the first major
works of Islamic architecture. The walls were decorated with paintings of Jesus, Mary,
Abraham, prophets, angels and trees.
In the 7th century, Muslim armies invaded and conquered a huge expanse of land after
which their first need was for somewhere to worship - a mosque. Islamic art thus,
developed from many sources.
Influences and styles
The principle architectural types of Islamic architecture are:
Mosques:
The mosque or masjid is a representation of Muslim art in its simplest form. The
mosque is basically an open courtyard surrounded by a pillared verandah, crowned
off with a dome. A mihrab indicates the direction of the qibla for prayer. Towards the
right of the mihrab stands the mimbar from where the Imam presides over the
proceedings. Large mosques where the faithful assemble for the Friday prayers are
called the Jama Masjids.
Tombs:
A tomb can be a simple one (Aurangazeb’s grave) or an awesome structure (Taj
Mahal). The tomb consists of solitary compartment or tomb chamber known as the
huzrah in whose centre is the cenotaph. This entire structure is covered with an
elaborate dome. In the underground chamber lies the maqbara, in which the corpse
is buried. The whole tomb complex or rauza is surrounded by an enclosure. The
tomb of a Muslim saint is called a dargah. It includes minute details~verses from the
Holy Koran.
Mihrab – These are a type of basilicas which were long, triple-arched buildings with
pitched roofs and with the altar at the eastern end. The new worshipers placed the mihrab
on the southern wall and made new entrances in the northern wall. Thus, the congregation
prayed across the aisles.
Courtyard - The Dome of the Rock in Jerusalem is combined with an enclosed
courtyard having arcades at the side. Such a type of big open space is called courtyard.
Minaret – It is originally a Syrian tradition of marking the corners of a building by four
short towers —a tower at the corner of the mosque courtyard. One of the most famous
minarets is of the Great Mosque at Sāmarrā’.
Dome – It is the mosque’s basic octagonal design enclosed by a central space topped by
a dome. The Dome of the Rock is the oldest of the Islamic structure. Domes, a great
feature of all Islamic architecture, developed both from Sassanian and Early Christian
architectural sources.
Eyvan - In the Abbasid mosques of Iraq, an eyvan, an open, vaulted, two-story
passageway or hall, was introduced into each side of the arcades surrounding the mosque
courtyard. The eyvan had its roots in the architecture of Sassanian Iran.
Pointed Arch - The pointed arch, probably of Syrian origin is a major characteristic of
Abbasid mosques.
Persian architecture - Islamic architecture borrows heavily from Persian
architecture and in many ways can be called an extension and further evolution of Persian
architecture. Persian-style mosques are characterized by their tapered brick pillars, large
arcades, and arches supported each by several pillars.
Mughal architecture - Another distinctive style is the architecture of the Mughal
Empire in India in the 16th century and a fusion of Arabic, Persian and Hindu elements.
The Mughal emperor Akbar constructed the royal city of Fatehpur Sikri, located 26 miles
west of Agra, in the late 1500s.
Interpretation
Islamic architecture includes the concept of Allah's infinite power evoked by designs
suggesting infinity. Human and animal forms are rarely depicted. Foliage is a frequent
motif. Arabic Calligraphy is used to enhance the interior of a building by providing
quotations from the Qur'an. Islamic architecture has been called the "architecture of the
veil" because the beauty lies in the inner spaces which are not visible from the outside.
Elements of Islamic style
Islamic architecture may be identified with the following design elements:
Large courtyards often merged with a central prayer hall.
Minarets or towers
A four-iwan plan, with three subordinate halls and one principal one that faces
toward Mecca
Mihrab or prayer niche on an inside wall indicating the direction to Mecca.
Domes and Cupolas.
The use of geometric shapes and repetitive art (arabesque).
The use of decorative Islamic calligraphy instead of pictures which were haram
forbidden.
Central fountains and The use of bright color.
THE INDO-ISLAMIC ARCHITECTURE
Indian architecture took new shape with the advent of Islamic rule in India towards the
end of the 12th century AD. Islamic architecture soon lost its original purity and borrowed
such elements from Indian architecture as courtyards surrounded by colonnades,
balconies supported by brackets and decoration. Islam, on the other hand, introduced to
India the dome, the true arch, geometric motifs, mosaics, and minarets. Despite
fundamental differences, Indian and Islamic architecture achieved a harmonious fusion,
especially in certain regional styles called the Indo-Islamic style of architecture.
The Indo-Islamic monuments were typical mortar-masonry works formed of dressed
stones for the first time in India. The use of certain scientific and mechanical formulae
helped to gain greater strength and stability.
The sahn (open courtyard) for congregational worship with the enclosing liwans
(cloisters) were introduced. Due to Islamic prohibition on idolatry, the garba-griha was
unnecessary. However, the mihrab on the Western wall of the sanctuary articulating the
Qibla (direction towards Mecca) offered a notional focus. Thus, adornment was largely
surface decoration through the use of geometry, arabesque and calligraphy.
Classes of Indo-Islamic Architecture
Indo-Islamic style is usually divided into three phases: the Pashtun, the Provincial, and
the Mughal.
Pashtun style-
1. In stone at Ahmadābād in Gujarāt.
2. In brick at Gaur-Pandua in West Bengal
3. Gol Gumbaz in Bijāpur, Karnātaka which has a dome with a 43-m
diameter.
4. The five-story stone and marble tower called the Qutb Minar (12th cent.),
near Delhi.
These structures are closely allied to Hindu models, but are simpler and lack
sculptures of human figures. The dome, the arch, and the minaret are constant
features of the style.
Provincial style-
This reflected the continued rebellion of the provinces against the imperial style of Delhi.
1. The Jami Masjid in Ahmadābād is unique in the whole of India with a arrangement of
3 bays and almost 300 pillars.
2. The Taj Mahal in Agra, built by Shah Jahan as a mausoleum for his wife Mumtaz
Mahal represents the pinnacle of Mughal Islamic architecture in India and is one of the
seven wonders of the world. It developed the extensive use of precious stones and white
marble. It stands on a platform set off by four slender minarets and is reflected in a
shallow pool.
3. The Shalimar Gardens
Mughal Style-
Monuments of the Mughal style are the Pearl Mosque at Āgra, Uttar Pradesh State, the
palace fortresses at Āgra and Delhi, and the great mosques at Delhi and Lahore.
