Ancient Indian Architecture

EXPLORING DIFFERENT ASPECTS OF INDIAN CIVILIZATION
ANCIENT INDIAN ARCHITECTURE

Ancient Indian architecture is the architecture of the Indian
subcontinent from the Indian Bronze Age to around 800CE. By this
endpoint Buddhism in India had greatly declined, and Hinduism was
predominant, and religious and secular building styles had taken on
forms, with great regional variation, which they largely retained until
and beyond the great changes brought about by the arrival of first
Islam, and then Europeans.
Much early Indian architecture was in wood, which has almost always
decayed or burnt, or brick, which has often been taken away for re-
use. The large amount of Indian rock-cut architecture, essentially
beginning around 250BCE, is therefore especially important, as much
of it clearly adapts forms from contemporary constructed buildings of
which no examples remain. There are also a number of important
sites where the floor-plan has survived to be excavated, but the upper
parts of structures have vanished.
In the Bronze Age the first cities emerged in the Indus Valley
Civilization. Archaeology has unearthed urbanization phase from early
Harappan in Kalibangan to the late Harappan phase when
urbanization declined but was preserved in few pockets. The
urbanization in the Gangetic plains began as early as 1200BC with the
emergence of fortified cities and appearance of Northern Black
polished ware.
The Mahajanapada period was characterized by Indian coins and use

of stone in the Indian architecture. The Mauryan period is considered
as the beginning of the classical period of Indian architecture. Nagara
and Dravidian architectural styles developed in the early medieval
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period with the rise of Hindu revivalism and predominant role of

Hindu temple architecture in the Indian Subcontinent.
 EARLY HARAPPAN PHASE

Although the urban phase of Harappa has been dated back to 2600
BC, excavation at Kalibangan from the early or proto-Harappan period
already shows an urban development with fortification, grid layout of
the city and drain system. The settlement consisted of a fortified city
mostly made of mud-brick architecture but characterized by an
appearance of fired bricks around 3000 BC which was used to line the
drains of the city.
Planned settlements from an early Harappan era with structures

parallel to the streets which run perpendicular to each other with

public drainage system has been uncovered at the site of Rakhigarthi,

one of the biggest urbanized areas of the Indus valley civilization
dating back to 4000 BC_3200 BC. Even earlier phase dated 4400
BC_4200 BC has been marked the appearance of wedge shaped mud
bricks with rectangular houses.
 BUILDING COMPLEX OF BHAVNAGAR
Archaeologists discovered a huge building complex dating back to

3600_3300 BC which was probably a storage complex, typical mature
harappan brick ratios of 4:2:1 were also noted along with a stone
platform and the beginnings of Harappan silo pit. The complex had
rooms with rectangular or squarish plan which were all
interconnected by some common wall.
 ENGLISH BOND AND BUILDING MATERIAL
While in contemporary Bronze Age cultures outside India sun-dried

mud bricks were the dominant building material, the Indus Valley
Civilization preffered to use fired ‘terracotta’ brick instead. A
prominent feature of Harappan architecture was also the first use
anywhere in the world of English bond in building with bricks. This
type of bonding utilized alternate headers and stretchers which is a
stronger method of construction.
Clay was usually used as cementing material but where better

strength was needed, such as for the drains, lime and gypsum mortar

was preferred instead. In architecture such as the Great Bath,bitumen

was used for waterproofing. The use of bitumen has been attested as
early as the Mehrgarh period, one of the earliest usesin the world as
well. The remarkable vertical alignment of the building indicates the
use of a plumb line. The bricks were produced in a standardized ratio
of 4:2:1, found throughout the Indus Valley Civilization.
 LARGER BUILDINGS
Harappan seals show architecture besides horned deities which has

been translated as either temples, shrines or houses with an
upward curving roof with fish tail endings on four corners. The seal
indicates formal places of worship. The excavation at Banawali in
present day Haryana has also yielded an Apsidal plan which has
been interpreted as a temple.
Rectangular stadium-like spaces provided with steps and gateways

are known from Dholavira and Juni Kuran. Two stadiums were
constructed at Juni Kuran, perhaps one for the commoners and the
other for the people with higher status.
At Dholavira, possible funerary architecture was found surrounding

a dried up lake and consists of tumuli, sometimes resembling
hemispherical domes, constructed using mud bricks or stone slabs.
The plan of the base of tumulus in the shape of a spoked wheel
with a chamber in the centre.
Juni Kuran and Mohenjo Daro have pillared halls. In the case of
Mohenjo Daro area, the pillars of the wall were constructed using

baked bricks and in the case of Juni Kuran, they were made of
sandstone pillars with elaborately designed base.


The architecture of India is rooted in his history , culture and religion.

Among a number of architectural styles and traditions, the contrasting
Hindu temple architecture and Indo-Islamic architecture are the best
known historical styles. Best of these, but especially the former, have
a number of regional styles within them. An early example of town
planning was the Harappan architecture of the Indus Valley
Civilization, whose people lived in cities with baked brick houses,
streets in a grid layout, elaborate drainage systems, water supply
systems, granaries, citadels, and some non-residential buildings.
Much other early Indian architecture was in wood, which has not
survived.

Hindu temple architecture is mainly divided into the Dravidian style of

the south and the Nagara style of the north, with other regional
styles. Housing styles also vary between regions, partly depending on
the different climates. The rule of the Mughal Empire, when Mughal
architecture evolved, is regarded as the zenith of Indo-Islamic
architecture, with the Taj Mahal being the high point of their
contribution. Indo-Islamic architecture influenced the Rajput and Sikh
styles as well.
 During the British colonial period, European styles including

neoclassical, gothic revival, and baroque became prevalent
across India. The amalgamation of Indo-Islamic and European
styles led to a new style, known as the Indo Saracenic style.
 After Independence , modernist ideas spreadamong Indian

architects as a way of progressing from the colonial culture. Le
Corbusier, who designed the city of Chandigarh influenced a
generation of architects towards modernism in the 20th century.
The economic reforms of 1991 further bolstered the urban
architecture of India as the country became more integrated
with the world’s economy. Traditional Vastu Shastra remains
influential in India’s architecture during the contemporary era.

 From ancient South Indian temples to the finest Mughal ruins,

Indian architecture is as old as civilization itself. The earliest
traces of recognizable building activity in India can be traced
back to the settlements of the Indus Valley.
 India is home to a myriad of temples, Baroque, and modernistic

structures that tell the stories of their era. UNESCO lists 830
World Heritage Sites, 26 of which are on Indian soil.
 India has seen a variety of architectural styles emerge over the

course of its history. Some examples include temple
architecture, Mughal architecture, Dravidian architecture, Sikh
architecture, and cave architecture.
 Many early Indian buildings were made of wood, which was

often decayed, burned, or brick that has been removed for
reuse. Over millennia, it has progressed from small rock-cut cave
shrines to huge temples that have extended across the Indian
subcontinent and beyond, forming a style that is now seen in
contemporary across the world.
 The economic reforms of 1991 further bolstered the urban

architecture of India as the country became more integrated
with the world’s economy.

In the first century CE, buildings were constructed to house a holy

symbol of a certain deity, which could then be adorned with
sculptural figures of them to remember their mythological adventures
and provide a place for worshippers to leave offerings and perform
rituals. As a god’s home, the temple was considered a holy place
where heaven and earth met, supplying them with a magnificent
palace. Temple architecture has a long history in India. It has
developed in all regions of the country.

Despite the fact that the style’s roots are the same, there is a
significant distinction and variation in architectural styles in temple
architecture. The variation is primarily due to India’s geographical,
climatic, racial, ethnic and historical diversity. There are three broad
styles of Indian temple architecture:
 Nagara [northern style]

 Vesara [mixed style]
 Dravida [southern style]
Each of these types has its own distinct cultural influences and
lineages. Hindu temple architecture represents a fusion of arts,
dharmic ideas, convictions, traditions, and the Hindu way of life.

Mughal architecture is a distinct Indo-Islamic architectural style that

evolved in Northern and central India from the 16th to the 18th century
under the patronage of Mughal emperors. It’s a stunning symmetrical
and the decorative style of Persian, Turkish, and Indian architecture.
Some of the most unforgettable Mughal architecture was created
during Akbar the Great’s reign [1556-1605] and under the vision of
Shah Jahan [1628-1658].
Many palaces, mosques, gardens, and mausoleums were built by

Akbar the Great. His architecture is notable for the use of sandstone
on a grand scale, as well as vast enclosed courtyards and doomed
shallow prayer halls. One of Akbar’s most stellar achievements was
the construction of his father Humayun’s tomb in Delhi. Humayun’s
Tomb, commissioned by Humayun’s wife in 1562 and designed by a
Persian architect, was the first garden tomb on the Indian
subcontinent and the first building to use red sandstone on such a
large scale. It is the first building in India to use the Persian double
dome with an outer layer supporting the white marble exterior, a
previously unseen material. This decorated facade style was a
significant contribution to Mughal architecture in the future.

Shah Jahan’s vision brought a delicate beauty and detail to Mughal

architecture. The Taj Mahal most famous achievement. The Taj
Mahal, located in Agra, is a white marble mausoleum constructed
between 1632 and 1648 in memory of his third wife, Mumtaz Mahal.
The palace, which reflects the Islamic garden of paradise and was built
by 20000 men, is generally considered as the greatest
accomplishment in Mughal architecture.
The pristine architectural masterpiece represents the best of Mughal

artistic heritage in India and is widely recognized as a symbol of life,
attracting about 7-8 million visitors per year.

Dravidian architecture is a temple style that originated in South India

in the ninth century. It was built by the Dravidian peoples and is
mostly made up of pyramid shaped temples called Kovils.
Kovils rely on intricately carved stone to construct a step pattern that

includes numerous sculptures of deities, warriors, kings and dancers.
Many temples in Tamil Nadu are immersed in mythology and

antiquity, dating back centuries to when numerous powerful
dynasties dominated southern India and beyond.
The Dravidian architectural style has its origins in the reign of the
Pallava dynasty. The Pallava architecture’s crowning achievement is
the rock-cut Group of Monuments at Mahabalipuram, a UNESCO
World Heritage Site, includes excavated pillared halls with no exterior
roof other than the natural rock and monolithic shrines where the
natural rock is completely cut away and carved.

Sikh architecture is another popular architectural style in India. Sikh

architecture is a world-renowned architectural style that is
distinguished by qualities such as progressiveness, elegance, intricacy,
austere simplicity, and flowing lines. It is increasingly expanding into
new branches of new contemporary styles as a result of its modern
progressive approach. While Sikh architecture was built within
Sikhism 300 years ago, its beauty has led to its use in many non-
religious buildings today.
The Gurdwara is a religious structure in Sikh architecture that houses

the Guru of the Sikhis. Sikh temples are massive commemorative
structures associated with the ten Sikh Gurus or with historical sites
and events. Gurudwaras have entrances on all sides, indicating that
they are accessible to all people without any distinction. This attribute
represents the fundamental tenet of Sikh religion, which hails God as
omnipresent.

The cave architecture in India is suspected to have begun during

ancient times, when Buddhist and Jain monks used the structures for
worship and residence. Early examples of architectural craftsmanship
on such structures include rock-cut patterns carved on overhanging
rocks. Caves excavated from massive rocks gradually evolved due to
their longevity in contrast to other structural materials such as wood.
Some of the most important caves in India include Ellora Caves. The
Ellora Caves, Ajanta Caves, Badami Caves, Karla Caves and Elephanta
Caves. The Ellora Caves, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, are among the
world’s largest rock-cut caves. The site contains over 100 caves that
house monasteries and temples. It exhibits Buddhism, Hinduism, and
Jainism art and architecture from 600 CE to 1000 CE. The caves were
carved out of volcanic basalt cliff rock in the Charanandri hills with
cave 16 of Ellora being the world’s largest monolithic rock excavation
in the form of a chariot called the Kailasha temple. In the eighth
century.

The cave has been around for over a century and houses deities and
mythologies from Shaktism and Vaishnavism.
For millennia, Indian architecture has gained notoriety. It has been

categorized into various styles and forms, each with its own
individuality and speciality. Indian architecture is deeply rooted in the
country’s heritage, culture, and religion.It contains elements that
have flourished over centuries and continue to be influential in the
modern era. Indian architecture encompasses areas that have been
designated as UNESCO World Heritage Sites, emphasizing the
significance of their protection. Just an hour’s drive from the bustling
city of Bhopal lies oldest stone structure in India. Considered one of
the most important Buddhist sites in the world, the Sanchi Stupa with
its exquisite carvings of the famed Jataka tales on the stone pillars has
been declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

OLDEST HISTORICAL STRUCTURES IN INDIA KNOWN FOR

THEIR EXQUISITE ARCHITECTURE
Sanchi Stupa [Madhya Pradesh]
There are many other ancient Buddhist monuments in the area that
include stupas, temples, monasteries and pillars. All those date back
to somewhere between third century AD. They were commissioned
by Mauryan emperor Ashoka in the honour of Lord Buddha, the
founder of Buddhism.

Dharme
k Stupa [Uttar Pradesh]

A massive stupa situated in Sarnath in Varanasi, it is the place were

lord Gautam Buddha gave his first sermon after gaining
enlightenment. First built by king Ashoka around the same time he
built the Sanchi Stupa, it was later revamped in 500 AD. Built partly of
stone and partly of brick, it is not just a holy destination for Buddhists,
but also holds great value for historians of ancient India who want to
study Ashoka.

Maha Bodhi temple[Bihar] M
The Mahabodhi temple or the Mahabodhi Mahavihar, a UNESCO

World Heritage Site, is an ancient, but much rebuilt and restored .
Buddhist temple in Bodh Gaya, marking the location where the
Buddha is said to have attained enlightenment. Bodh Gaya [in Gaya
district] is about 96km from Patna, Bihar state, India.
The site consists of descendant of the Bodhi tree under which Buddha
gained enlightenment, and has been a major piligrimage destination
for Hindus and Buddhists for well over two thousands years, and
some elements probably date to period of Ashoka.

Ajanta Ellora Caves [Maharashtra]
The hidden gems were discovered accidentally in 1819 by British

officers during a tiger hunt. The Ajanta caves, situated about 100 km
from Aurangabad city in Maharashtra, are famous for their wall
paintings made with natural pigments and primitive tools. The sensual
forms and the overall harmony in the composition indicate a high
point in Buddhist art in India. The 29 Buddhist cave temples in Ajanta
date back to second century BC and were declared a UNESCO World
Heritage Site in 1983. The Ellora, on the other hand, located in
Aurangabad, represent the key essence of Indian rock-cut
architecture. Ellora has a total of 34 caves including Buddhist, Hindu
and Jain cave temples were built 600 years after the Ajanta caves
were built. The hidden gems were discovered accidentally in 1819 by

British officers during a tiger hunt. The Ajanta caves, situated about
100 km from Aurangabad city in Maharashtra, are famous for their
wall paintings made with natural pigments and primitive tools. The
sensual forms and the overall harmony in the composition indicate a
high point in Buddhist art in India. The 29 Buddhist cave temples in
Ajanta date back to second century BC and were declared a UNESCO
World Heritage Site in 1983. The Ellora, on the other hand, located in
Aurangabad, represent the key essence of Indian rock-cut
architecture.
Elephanta Caves [Maharashtra]
Even though archaeological remains point to occupation from second

century BC, it is believed that the caves were cut out from the rock in
the mind fifth and sixth century.

Even though archaeological remains point to occupation from second

century BC, it is believed that the caves were cut out from the rock in
the mind fifth and sixth century. They are located in an island off
thecost of Mumbai and consist of rock art linked to the cult of Hindu
deity Shiva. However, it is believed that the Portuguese destroyed
many of those structures.
Rani Ki Vav
Rani Ki Vav is a stepwell situated in the town of Patan in Gujarat state

of India. It is located on the banks of Saraswati river, its construction
is attributed to Udayamati, daughter of Khengara of Saurashtra,
queen and spouse of the 11th century Chaulukya king Bhima. It is
rediscovered in 1940s and restored in 1980s by the Archaeological
Survey of India.

Mahabalipuram Temple [Tamil Nadu]
The historic town in south India, also known as Mamallapuram, was

founded by the Pallava King Narasimhavarman in seventh century AD.
Ancient structures carved out of rock that dot the area include
mandapas or cave sanctuaries, rathas which are temples shaped in
the form of chariots and massive open-air reliefs such as the famous
mandapas or cave sanctuaries, rathas which are temples shaped in
the form of chariots and massive open-air reliefs such as the famous
“Descent of the Ganges.”

Nalanda [Bihar]
The
ancient seat of education was operational for 800 years between fifth
and twelfth century AD. It was a residential university that is believed
to have housed almost 10000 students and 2000 teachers. Scholars
from all over the world went there to impart knowledge or learn but
it was destroyed by invaders in the twelfth century AD. Very recently,
since 2010, it has become operational once archeological place.
Hampi [Karnataka]s

A temple town in the South Indian state of Karnataka that is listed as

a UNESCO World Heritage Site, Hampi was once the richest cities in
the world. Its history dates back to second and third century- this has
been gathered from the ceramic potteries that were found in the
place.
Four dynasties ruled over the place for 200 years till it reached its
pinnacle between 1509 and 1529 when international trade flourished.
Post that it was destroyed by the Moghal invaders.

Champaner-Pavagadh
Listed on the UNESCO World Heritage Site, Champaner-Pavagadh
located in Panchmahal district of Gujarat, was once a thriving city.

Founded by a Rajput king in the eighth century, it was a strategic
point of trade routes in Gujarat. Hence, many rulers wanted to
capture it, but it was only in 1484 that Mahmud Begda succeeded.
He transformed it into a brand new capital. But its glory was short
livevd for it was soon captured by Humayun, the Mughal ruler. He
made Ahmedabad the capital city to control Gujarat. This resulted in
the city gradually falling into disrepair.

Our ancient roots dating back to hundreds of centuries is not

something we ponder over too frequently. But if at all we do, the
sheer richness and diversity of our history is bound to leave us
spellbound.
 With primitive tools and calculation methods in a time when

modern day building materials and technology was
unimaginable, our forefathers built temples and cities that have
survived till date.
 Such ancient structures, which once formed the nerve-centre of

trade, education, religion or culture, bowl us over with their
engineering ingenuity, sculpture and designs even in this
modern era of science and technology.
 We list some such oldest architectural marvels we can proudly

look back to and call our own in this I-day special.
 Guggenhiem Museum- Frank Lloyd Wright. Born in 1867 in

Richland Center, Wisconsin, Frank Lloyd Wright is one of
American’s most iconic architects and considered both the
father of modern architecture and the greatest American
architect of all time.

9 Indian Architectural Styles That Developed The Course Of

History
Indian Architecture has always been inquisitive due to its
magnanimity and the creations. Our country has a plethora of
monuments, baroque and modernistic buildings which echo the tales
of their era. Did you know that among the 830 World Heritage Sites
listed by UNESCO, 26 belong to the Indian soil?
India has seen a number of architectural styles which developed the

course of history. In this article, we are trying to take an overview of 9
such amazing Indian architectural styles!
 Temple Architecture
Temple architecture has deep roots in India. It has
developed in almost all the regions in the country. Although the
origins of the style are the same, we can see a substantial
differentiation and variety of architectural styles in temple
construction. This variety is mainly caused due to the
geographical, climatic, racial, ethnic, linguistic and historical
diversities in India. All these styles carry their unique regional
influences and lineages.
 Mughal Architecture
The Mughal architectural style has emerged out of a unique
blend of Islamic, Persian and Indian architectural styles. The
style found its roots from the 16th century and continued to have
a prominence till the beginning of 18th century.
During this era, India was ruled by the Mughal emperors and
thanks to this architectural style; today the country has some of

the most beautiful structures like the Humayun’s Tomb, Akbar’s

Tomb, Fatehpur Sikri, Red Fort at Delhi, Jami Masjid Delhi and
the Taj Mahal at Agra.
 Indo-Saracenic Revival Architecture

Indo-Saracenic Revival architectural style is a beautiful
fusion of Indian architecture and Indo-Islamic architecture. It is
also famous as the Indo-Gothic, Mughal-Gothic, Hindu-Gothic,
and Neo-Mughal architectural style. This style of architecture
inherits exotic elements of the Indian architecture and the
Islamic architecture and blends it with the neo-classical and
Gothic revival styles from the British Victorian era.
 Dravidian Architecture
The Dravidian architectural style emerged in the southern
region of the Indian subcontinent thousands of years ago. The
structures built by the native Dravidian people, which were
primarily called as Kovils are epic instances of Dravidian
architecture. These Kovils are dependent on complex carved
stone. Such materials are the key to create step kind of designs
which contain many statues of kings, deities, dancers, and
warriors.
 Kalinga Architecture
The Kalinga architecture flourished in the ancient region of
Kalinga. The architectural style can still be seen in the eastern
Indian state of Odisha and the northern parts of Andhra
Pradesh.

Most prominently, the Kalinga architectural style consists of

three different types of temples i.e., Rekha Deula, Khakhara
Deula, and Pidha Deula. The diverse characteristics of the
famous Kalinga architecture are; architectural stipulations,
historical connotations, and iconography, which honours the
custom, traditions, and legends which are associated with thw
structures.
 Sikh Architecture
Sikh architecture has gained immerse popularity across the
globe. Sikh architecture is identified with brilliant intricacy,
progressiveness, incredible beauty, and amazing flowing lines.
This is a particular architectural form which has contributed to
the evolution of modernism and progressive style in Indian
architecture. The wonderful Sikh architecture is all about
attractive curves and straight lines; which makes it look
outstanding and different from other architectural styles.
 Vesara Architecture
Vesara style of architecture has found its roots in the state of
Karnataka during the medieval period. This style is a
combination of both Dravida and the Nagara architectural styles.
In this style, the heights of the individual tiers are reduced
without affecting their actual numbers. This reduces the total
height of the temple architecture.
 Cave Architecture
The cave architecture in India began in the third century BC.

The Jain monks and the Buddhist used these structures as their homes
and places to worship. Some instances of this architectural styles are
Chaityas and Viharas of Buddhists. Caves have been reflected in three
different religions; Hinduism, Buddhism, and Jainism.
 Rock-Cut Architecture
The Rock-Cut structures in India project the most impressive
pieces of ancient Indian art. The Rock-cut architecture is an art
of creating a structure through carving it out of one single, solid
and natural rock. Most of the rock-cut structures in India are
related to various different religious communities.
India has more than 1500 renowned rock-cut structures, and a
number of these structures are artworks which have gained
global importance, decorated with wonderful stone carvings.

14 ANCIENT ARCHITECTURES OF INDIA THAT WILL MAKE US

PROUD
 The ancient mysteries of the Ajanta caves
 The monument to love that inspired the Taj-Mahal-The
Humayun Tomb
 The lasting testament to the grandeur of the Vijayanagara
Empire-Hampi
 The temple where Lord Buddha gained enlightenment-
Mahabodhi Temples
 An ode to Sun God, where even stones speak up in prayer-
Konark Temple
 A eulogy to undying love set in white marble- Taj Mahal
 A land surrounded by misfortune, beautified by architecture-
Champaner-Pavagadh Archaeological Park
 A portal to the historic and prehistoric era-Bhimbetka Shelters
 The integral land of three beliefs, The Ellora Caves
 Where the walls sing and sculptures dance, the Chola temples
 The misrepresented temples of Khajuraho
 A rock cut sonnet to the great war of Mahabharata,
Mahabalipuram
 A timeless story carved in rock, the Elephanta Caves
 A temple turned upside down to worship water, Rani Ki Vav.

 GUPTA ARCHITECTURE
The most part the Gupta period represented a hiatus in Indian rock-
cut architecture, with the first wave of construction The most part the
Gupta period represented a hiatus in Indian rock-cut architecture,
with the first wave of construction finishing before the empire was
assembled, and the second wave beginning in the late 5 th century,
after it ended.
This is the case, of example, at the Ajanta Caves, with an early group
made by 220CE at the latest, and a later one probably all after about
460.
Instead the period has left almost the first surviving free-standing
structures in India, in particular, the beginnings of Hindu temple
architecture. As Milo Beach puts it: “Under the Guptas.

 TEMPLE ARCHITECTURE
The basic elements of the Hindu temple remain the same across all
the periods and styles. The most essential feature is the inner
sanctuary, the garbha griha or womb-chamber, where the primary
Murti or cult image of a deity is housed in a simple bare cell. Around
this chamber there are often other structures and buildings, in the
largest cases covering several acres. One the exterior, the garbhagriha
is crowned by a tower-like shikhara, also called the vimana in the
south. The shrine building may include an ambulatory for parikrama
[circumambulation], one or more mandapas or congregation halls,
and sometimes an antarala antechamber and porch between
garbhagriha and mandapa.

 JAIN ARCHITECTURE
Jain temple architecture is generally close to Hindu temple

architecture, and in ancient times Buddhist religious architecture.
Normally the same builders and carvers worked for all religions, and
regional and period styles are generally similar. The basic layout of a
Hindu and most Jain temples has consisted of a small garbhagriha or
sanctuary for the main murti or cult images, over which the high
superstructure rises, then one or more larger mandapa halls.
The earliest survivals of Jain architecture are part of the Indian rock-
cut architecture tradition, initially shared with Buddhism, and by the
end of the classical period with Hinduism.

 INDO-ISLAMIC ARCHITECTURE
Indian subcontinent around 7th century AD. Monuments and buildings

reflecting native/regional Indic, Persian, central Asian, Arabic and
Ottoman Turkish architecture style were extensively built by patrons
of art and architecture in Medieval Period. Many of these styles are
also influence by regional Indian architecture.
It also Replace Indian Trabeate style with Arcuate style. Turks and
Persians, who inherited wealth of various design from Sassanian and
Byzantine empire, shaped and influenced the architecture.

EUROPEAN COLONIAL ARCHITECTURE
Southeast Asia was under Indian sphere of cultural influence starting

around 290 BC until around the 15 th century when Hindu-Buddhist
influence was absorbed by local politics. Kingdoms in the southeast
coast of the Indian Subcontinent had established trade, cultural and
political relations with Southeast Asian kingdoms in Burma, Thailand,
Indonesia, Malay Peninsula, Philippines, Cambodia and Champa. This
led to Indianisation and Sanskritisation of Southeast Asia within
Indosphere. Southeast Asia polities were the Indianised Hindu
Buddhist Mandala.

 LAND SCAPE ARCHITECTURE
There is less archaeological evidence of early gardens elsewhere in

India but the ancient Hindu sacred books give a remarkably detailed
account of gardens in Ancient India.
During Mauryan Era, palaces took a central role and with it came the
gardens. The Hindu scriptures [shastras] set down a code for the
orientation and organization of buildings in relation to compass
points, hills, water and plants. No physical form survived but rock
carvings like in Ajanta Caves or in Stupas shows an existence of airy
structures with timber columns. These illustrations show vegetation
alongside the platform and columns. Emperor Ashoka’s inscriptions
mention the establishment of botanical gardens for planting
medicinal herbs, plants, and trees. They contained pools of water,
were laid in grid patterns.

 FOREIGN INFLUENCE ON INDIAN ARCHITECTURE
The Greek conquests in India under Alexander the Great were

limited [327-326 BCE] and in extent, but they had extensive long term
effects as Greeks settled for centuries at the doorstep of India.
After these events, the Greeks [described as Yona or Yavana in Indian

sources from the Greek ‘Ionian”] were able to maintain a structured
presence at the door of India for about three centuries, through the
Seleucid Empire and the Greco-Bactrian kingdom, down to the time of
the Indo-Greek kingdoms, which ended sometimes in the 1st century
CE.

During that time, the city of Ai-Khanoum, capital of the Greco-

Bactrian Kingdom and the cities of Sirkap, were founded in what is
now Pakistan on the Greek Hippodamian grid plan, and Sagala, now
located in Pakistan 10 km from the border with India, interacted
heavily with the Indian subcontinent.
It is considered that Ai-Khanoum and Sirkap may have been primary

actors in transmitting Western artistic influence to India, for example

in the creation of the quasi-Ionic Pataliputra capital or the floral

friezes of the Pillars of Ashoka.
Numerous Greek ambassadors, such as Megasthenes, Deimachus and

Dionysius, stayed at the Mauryan court in Pataliputra.
 During the Mauryan period [c, 321-185 BCE], and especially

during the time of Emperor Ashoka [c,268-232 BCE], Hellenistic
influence seems to have played a role in the establishment of
Indian monumental stone architecture.
 Excavations in the ancient palace of Pataliputra have brought to
light Hellenistic sculptural works, and Hellenistic influence
appear in the Pillars of Ashoka at about the same period.
 During that period, several instances of artistic influence are

known, particular in the area of monumental stone sculpture
and statuary, an area with no known precedents in India.
 The period of stone architectural creation seems to correspond

to the period of Ashoka’s reign. Before that , Indians had a
tradition of wooden architecture, remains of wooden palisades
were discovered at archaeological sites in Pataliputra, confirmed
the Classical accounts.
 The first examples of stone architecture were also found in the

palace compound of Pataliputra, with the distinctly Hellenistic
Pataliputra capital and a pillared hall using polished-stone
columns. The other remarkable example of monumental stone

architecture is that of the Pillars of Ashoka, themselves

displaying Hellenistic influence.
 There is also very early stone architecture in the palace at

Kosambi, including true arches used in the underground
chambers from the last phase of the palace in the 1st or 2nd
century CE.
 Number of these structures are artworks which has gained

global importance.
PATALIPUTRA CAPITAL
The Pataliputra capital is a monumental rectangular capital with

volutes and classical designs, that was discovered in the palace ruins
of the ancient Mauryan Empire capital city of Pataliputra [ modern
Patna, northeastern India]. It is dated to the 3rd century BCE. It is
together with the Pillars of Ashoka one of the first known examples of
Indian stone monuments or sculptures are known from before that
period. It is also one of the first archaeological clues suggesting
Hellenistic influence on the arts of India, in this case sculptural palatial

The pillars of Ashoka were built during the reign of the Mauryan
Empire Ashoka c, 250BCE. They were new attempts at mastering
stone architecture, as no Indian stone monuments or sculptures are
known from before that period. There are altogether seven remaining
capitals, five with lions, one with an elephant and one with a zebu bull

Lion Capital of Ashoka from Sarnath. The Achaemenid conquered and

governed the territories of the North-western regions of the Indian
subcontinent, from the 6th to 4th centuries BCE. The conquest occurred
into two phases. The first invasion was conducted around 535 BCE by
Cyrus the Great, who founded the Achaemenid Empire. Cyrus
annexed the regions west of the Indus River, which formed the
eastern border of his empire.
Various Indian artefacts tend to suggest some Perso-Hellenistic artistic

influence in India, mainly felt during the time of the Mauryan Empire.
The renowned Mauryan polish, especially used in the Pillars of

Ashoka, may also have been a technique imported from the
Achaemenid Empire. Craftsmen employed from Persia following the
disintegration of the Achaemenid Empire after the conquests of
Alexander the Great.


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EXPLORING DIFFERENT ASPECTS OF INDIAN CIVILIZATION

ANCIENT INDIAN ARCHITECTURE

The Mahajanapada period was characterized by Indian coins and use

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period with the rise of Hindu revivalism and predominant role of

 EARLY HARAPPAN PHASE

Planned settlements from an early Harappan era with structures

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public drainage system has been uncovered at the site of Rakhigarthi,

 BUILDING COMPLEX OF BHAVNAGAR

Archaeologists discovered a huge building complex dating back to

 ENGLISH BOND AND BUILDING MATERIAL

While in contemporary Bronze Age cultures outside India sun-dried

Clay was usually used as cementing material but where better

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was preferred instead. In architecture such as the Great Bath,bitumen

Harappan seals show architecture besides horned deities which has

Rectangular stadium-like spaces provided with steps and gateways

At Dholavira, possible funerary architecture was found surrounding

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The architecture of India is rooted in his history , culture and religion.

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Hindu temple architecture is mainly divided into the Dravidian style of

 During the British colonial period, European styles including

 After Independence , modernist ideas spreadamong Indian

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 From ancient South Indian temples to the finest Mughal ruins,

 India is home to a myriad of temples, Baroque, and modernistic

 India has seen a variety of architectural styles emerge over the

 Many early Indian buildings were made of wood, which was

 The economic reforms of 1991 further bolstered the urban

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In the first century CE, buildings were constructed to house a holy

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 Nagara [northern style]

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Mughal architecture is a distinct Indo-Islamic architectural style that

Many palaces, mosques, gardens, and mausoleums were built by

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Shah Jahan’s vision brought a delicate beauty and detail to Mughal

The pristine architectural masterpiece represents the best of Mughal

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Dravidian architecture is a temple style that originated in South India

Kovils rely on intricately carved stone to construct a step pattern that

Many temples in Tamil Nadu are immersed in mythology and

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Sikh architecture is another popular architectural style in India. Sikh

The Gurdwara is a religious structure in Sikh architecture that houses

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The cave architecture in India is suspected to have begun during

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For millennia, Indian architecture has gained notoriety. It has been

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OLDEST HISTORICAL STRUCTURES IN INDIA KNOWN FOR

Sanchi Stupa [Madhya Pradesh]

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