ARCHITECTURE OF INDIA

MEANING AND INTRODUCTION The architecture of India is rooted in its history, culture and religion. Eastern tradition has also incorporated modern values as India became a modern nation state. Traditional Vastu Shastra remains influential in India's architecture during the contemporary era.

VOCABULARY Vastu shastra -  An ancient traditional hindu view about how the laws of nature affect human dwellings. Well - Structure created in the ground by digging, driving, boring, or drilling to access groundwater in underground  Unesco- The united nations educational, scientific and cultural organization  Ornate- Elaborately or highly decorated. Lintel- A horizontal support of timber, stone, concrete, or steel across the top of a door or window.

A well and drainage system at Lothal The Indus Valley Civilization (2700 BC-1700BC) is one of the world's earliest urban civilizations, along with its contemporaries, Mesopotamia and Ancient Egypt. The baths and toilets system the cities had is acknowledged as one of the most advanced in the ancient world. The Indus Valley Civilization (IVC) was a Bronze Age civilization (2700–1700 BC; mature period 2600–1900 BC) that was located in the northwestern region of the Indian subcontinent, consisting of what is now mainly modern-day Pakistan and northwest India. A well and drainage system at Lothal A bath and toilet excavated in Lothal

Post Maha Janapadas period (1500 BC—200 AD) The entire Kalibangan citadel unexcavated The Great Stupa at Sanchi (4th–1st century BC). The dome shaped stupa was used in India as a commemorative monument associated with storing sacred relics. Rock-cut stepwells in India date from 200–400 AD.Subsequently, the construction of wells at Dhank (550–625 AD) and stepped ponds at Bhinmal (850–950 AD) took place.The city of Mohenjo-daro has wells which may be the predecessors of the step well. As many as 700 wells, constructed by 3rd millennium BC, have been discovered in just one section of the city, leading scholars to believe that 'cylindrical brick lined wells' were invented by the people of the Indus Valley Civilization. Cave temples became prominent throughout western India, incorporating various unique features to give rise to cave architecture in places such as Ajanta and Ellora

Early Common Era—High Middle Ages (200 AD—1200 AD) The temple complex at Khajuraho—adhering to the shikhara temple style architecture—is a UNESCO World Heritage Site

Konark Sun Temple, one of the most well renowned temples in India and is a World Heritage Site.

Ornate lintel over mantapa entrance, Belur temple Late Middle Ages (1100 AD—1526 AD) Ornate lintel over mantapa entrance, Belur temple

Islamic influence and Mughal Era (1526 AD-1857 AD) Mughal tombs of sandstone and marble show Persian influence. The Red Fort at Agra (1565–74) and the walled city of Fatehpur Sikri (1569–74) are among the architectural achievements of this time—as is the Taj Mahal, built as a tomb for Queen Mumtaz Mahal by Shah Jahan (1628–58).[25] In the August 1604 CE the construction of the Harmandir Sahib—the holiest shrine of the Sikh religion—was completed. Qutub Minar a prominent example of Islamic architecture in India.

Colonial Era (1500 AD—1947 AD) Under colonial rule, architecture became an emblem of power, designed to endorse the patron. The Chepauk Palace at Chennai, once the residence of the Nawab of Arcot

British Colonial Era: 1615 to 1947 The major cities colonized during this period were Madras, Calcutta, Bombay, Delhi, Agra, Bankipore, Karachi, Nagpur, Bhopal and Hyderabad Madras and Calcutta were similar bordered by water and division of Indian in the north and British in the south The Victoria Memorial in Calcutta, is the most effective symbolism of British Empire,

French: 1673 to 1954 The French colonized a fishing village (Pondicherry) in Tamil Nadu and transformed it into a flourishing port-town. The town was built on the French grid pattern and features neat sectors and perpendicular streets and divided into two sectors, French Quarter (Ville Blanche) and the Indian quarter (Ville Noire).  French expanded their empire by colonizing coastal towns, Yanam in Andhra Pradesh, Karaikal in Tamil Nadu and Mahe in Kerala with a French atmosphere of quiet towns around beaches. French spelling on signage and traffic signs still remains.

Dutch: 1605 to 1825  During their 200 years in India, they colonized Surat, Bharuch, Venrula, Ahmedabad, Malabar Coast, Kochi and Sadras. Portuguese: 1498 to 1961 The interior of Goan-Portuguese houses consisted of elaborate patterns created with tiles imported from Europe and a false ceiling installed of wood. The walls are painted with bright colours contrasting to the earthy coloured furniture.

Republic of India (1947 AD—present) Indian architecture reflects its various socio-cultural sensibilities which vary from region to region. Certain areas are traditionally held to be belonging to women. Villages in India have features such as courtyards, loggias, terraces and balconies. Calico, chintz, and palampore—of Indian origin—highlight the assimilation of Indian textiles in global interior design. Roshandans, which are skylights-cum-ventilators, are a common feature in Indian homes, especially in North India.

SOME MORE ARCHITECTURE OF ANCIENT INDIA The Se Cathedral: located in Old Goa is acathedral dedicated toCatherine of Alexandria. The famous jaali from the 16th-century Sidi Saiyyed mosque built by Ahmed Shah of Gujarat, in Ahmedabad Chowmahalla Palace inHyderabad The North Block in New Delhi houses key government offices, built along with Lutyens' Delhi. Chandigarh Secretariat designed by Le Corbusier. Akshardham Temple in Delhi, completed in 2005 and one of the largest Hindu temples in the world. The Taj Mahal in Agra, arguably the greatest example of Islamic architecture in India. Charminar at Old City inHyderabad The Jagannath Temple inPuri, Odisha

Lotus Temple Bandra- Worli Sea- Link bridge in Mumbai

Mumbai and delhi international airports

Conversation 1) What Architectural structure resembles your country? 2) What is the changing trend in Architecture that you have noticed over years? 3) Which architectural structure is you favorite in you country and around the world?