India has a rich architectural heritage that may be the oldest in the world. The roots of Indian architecture can be traced to the archaeological remains of the submerged city of Dwarka, in the Gulf of Cambay near Gujrat. The is estimated to be 9,500 years by some marine scientists. Our ancient texts including the Mahabharata, the Shrimad Bhagavad Gita, the Harivamsha, the Skanda Purana, and the Vishnu Purana have mentioned Dwarka. It is believed that Dwarka was submerged in the big flood 9,000 years ago. According to the Mahabharat, Dwarka had 9 Lakh royal palaces, all constructed with crystal and silver, and decorated with emeralds. The discovery of Dwarka with whatever has been traced so far conforms to the description to a large extent. Town planning, drainage system, great fortified citadel mound and other architectural shreds of evidence from the Indus Valley Civilization sites further reinforce India’s ancient artistic glory.
Cave Temples and Monasteries –
In India, there are many cave temples and monasteries that were cut out of cliffs. Typically, these temples and monasteries consist of a central rectangular nave separated from aisles on either side by two rows of pillars supporting the roof. An outstanding example is Karli caves having Buddhist Chaitya from the late 1st-century bc, at Karli (Maharashtra).
Although the construction of wood or brick of that era has not survived. Yet, there are numerous buildings depicted on relief sculptures. These sculptures exhibit walled and moated cities with massive gates, elaborated magnificent housing, and pavilions with a variety of domes. Another striking feature of early Indian architecture is the frequent use of arched windows and doors.
The Stupas –
The Mauryan empire was the most powerful and territorially vast empire from about 321 to 185 BCE. Yet, its architectural remains are remarkably few. This empire has left the earliest surviving examples of monumental Indian architecture and Stupas are prominent among them. These Stupas are found at sites sacred to Buddhism. The stupas are commemorative monuments, originally built to house the earthly remains or relics of the Buddha, his associates and later extended to include the sacred texts.
The hemispherical shape of the Stupa appears to be derived from pre-Buddhist burial mounds in India. Over centuries the Stupas became progressively larger and more elaborate during the Guptas era. The stone railings of the Stupas became lavishly carved with relief sculptures. The Stupas at Bharhut (Madhya Pradesh state), Sanchi, and Amaravati (Andhra Pradesh state), are the example of this architecture. The important schools of Buddhist sculpture thrived at Gandhara (northwestern Pakistan) and Mathura (Uttar Pradesh) during this period.
North Indian Style Great Stone Temples –
These temples were built during and after the Guptas age and most of them were destroyed by the Islamic invaders. Various important temples were destroyed and converted into mosques under Islamic rule in India. Nevertheless, the temple architecture style survived the Islamic atrocities. Yet, a large number of such temples have survived.
The common feature of North Indian style and South Indian styles is that the temples include a small square sanctuary (the garbhagriha) and one or more pillared porches or halls ( the mandapas). Rising above the sanctuary is a tower or spire. The tower or spire above the sanctuary (the garbhagriha), usually having a curved outline, is known as the Shikhar. It is the most distinctive part of the North Indian style temples. However, there are some temples having smaller Shikharas with straight outlines on top of the mandapas as well. The entrance doorway of the sanctuary is extensively decorated with figures of river goddesses, other mythological icons and bands of ornamentation. The exterior walls are usually adorned with sculptures of mythological and semi-divine figures, with the main idols of the deities placed in niches carved on the main projections. The entire temple complex may be raised on a terrace, which is sometimes of considerable height and size. Khajuraho temples (Madhya Pradesh), Konark temple and Jagannath Puri temple (both in Odisha) are classic examples of the North Indian style of temple architecture.
South Indian Style Great Stone Temples –
The south Indian style temples have the Kutina type a tower above the sanctuary. This pyramid-shaped tower consists of stepped stories. Each story has a parapet (a low wall) composed of miniature shrines strung together. The outside walls of the temples have niches that house sculpture and these walls are divided by pilasters (shallow rectangular columns that project slightly beyond the wall). In south Indian style temples, the entrance gateways giving access to the temple enclosures, are called Gopurams. These Gopurams are extremely large and magnificently decorated with sculpture, and dominating the temple complex. Many such temples have series of Gopurams, each providing entry through a new enclosure wall. The classic examples of the south Indian style of temple architecture are the Shore Temple at Mahabalipuram, the Brihadishvara temple at Thanjavur, and the Gangaikondacolapuram temple (all in Tamil Nadu).
Jain Architecture –
The Jain temple architecture is generally similar to that of ancient Hindu temple architecture or Buddhist religious architecture. There are many rock-cut Jain temples and monasteries that share a site with those of the other religions, as at Aihole, Badami, Bava Pyara, Ellora, Kalugumalai and Udayagiri.
Generally, there is a considerable similarity among the temple styles of Jainism, Buddhists and Hindus. Yet, the Jains placed large figures of one or more of the 24 Tirthankaras in the open air rather than inside the Jainism shrines. These statues later began to be very large, normally standing natural figures in the Kayotsarga meditation position. The classic example of Jainism architecture is the Gopachal rock-cut Jain monuments and the Siddhachal Caves, with groups of statues, and a number of single figures. This also includes the 12th-century Gommateshwara statue.
Maru Gurjara architecture also known as Solanki style was developed in Rajasthan ad Gujarat as Jain architecture, now it has become a global Jain architecture. Key features of Maru Gurjara architecture (Solanki architecture) are that the lavishly decorated interiors elaborated carving on most of the temple surfaces. Such Jain temples often have small low domes carved on the inside with a highly intricate rosette design. Another distinctive feature is “flying” arch-like elements between pillars, touching the horizontal beam above in the centre, and elaborately carved. The large pillared halls, many open at the sides, with Jain temples often having one closed and two pillared halls in sequence on the main axis leading to the temple.
Rajput Architecture –
Rajput Architecture is used in different types of buildings, such as temples, forts, havelis, stepwells, gardens, and palaces.
The Hill Forts of Rajasthan The (Amer, Chittor, Gagron, Jaisalmer, Kumbhalgarh, Ranthambore), are among the best examples of Rajput Architecture. The Hill Forts of Rajasthan were built by various Rajput kingdoms and principalities during the medieval period as a defence against Islamic invasions.
The striking features of Rajput architectural styles are:-
- Ornated buildings or Havelis
- Chhatris
- Delicate ornamentation
- Jharokha
- Rectangular windows
- Stepwell or Bawdi
Sikh Architecture –
The Sikh architecture has striking features like the onion dome, frescoes, in-lay work, multi-foil arches, Chhatris, oriel windows, bracket supported eaves at the string course, and ornamented friezes. Gurdwara buildings do not have to conform to any set architectural design. Modern Gurdwaras (especially within India) have been following the Harimandir Sahib pattern.
Dzong architecture –
This is a distinctive type of fortified Buddhist monastery architecture and is mainly found in Tibet, Bhutan and North and Northeastern part of India. The Dzong architecture is a massive construction of Buddhist tradition in style having towering exterior walls surrounding a complex of courtyards, temples, administrative offices, and monks’ accommodation.
The striking features of Dzong architecture are –
- High walls of brick having inward slope where stones are white painted with few or no windows in the lower sections of the wall
- A surrounding red ochre stripe near the top of the walls, often punctuated by large gold circles
- Flared roofs atop interior temples
- Massive doors (entry in particular) made of wood and iron
- Interior courtyards and temples decorated brightly coloured Buddhist-themed motifs like the Ashtamangala or the Sastika
Indo Islamic Architecture –
This architectural style has been largely influenced by the Persian (Iranian) style. The striking features of this architecture are –
- Spherical dome and multiple domes
- Pointed arches
- Use of red sandstone surfaces with white marble inlays and arches in the shape of a pointed horseshoe
- Windows fitted with perforated screens
- Symmetry and balance between the parts of a building
- Delicate ornamental design
- Use of calligraphy
