Indian Architecture
Indian Architecture
Indian Architecture
Indian ु ला
Architecture
India
• The name India is derived from Indus, which
originates from the Old Persian word Hindus . The
latter term stems from the Sanskrit word Sindhu,
which was the historical local appellation for
the Indus River. The ancient Greeks referred to
the Indians as Indo, which translates as "the
people of the Indus"
• India has a population of over 1.2 billion . It has
more people than any other country except China.
• It is home to Indus Valley Civilization and a
region of historic trade routes and vast empire.
India
• India is very hot and dry in summer because parts
of the country are almost desert.
• Hindi and English are the two main languages but
there are hundreds of others.
• Most Indians practice Hinduism but many follow
the religion of Islam. Other religions include
Buddhism and Christianity.
• Most Indians are farmers. They live in small
villages and grow rice, wheat, tea, cotton and jute.
Hinduism
Hinduism is one of the world’s greatest religions.
Most Hindus live in Asia, particularly in India. Their
religion has grown over a period of 4000 years.
Hindus believe that God is present in all things.
Only priests can worship the supreme God, Vishnu, the
God of life. The most important holy books of the Hindus
are the Vedas. Hindus believe that certain animal like
cobra and cows are sacred and must not be killed or eaten.
How did Hinduism spread in
India?
Historically, the spread of Hinduism came via the travels
of merchants to other nearby countries for business. The Chettiars
(var. Chettyars), a Tamil banking community, extended their
business to Burma, Malaysia, Mauritius and other parts of South
East Asia. Additionally, strong trading links have existed for
centuries between Western India and East Africa. It was Mahatama
Gandhi, who, upon completing his law degree, left India to
practice in South Africa, and commenced his famous life task
of sathyagraha, non-violent protest after he was told he could not
travel in a first class carriage on a train, and was made to move to
third class.
How did Hinduism affect
Indian Architecture?
One of the most enduring achievements of Indian
civilisation is undoubtedly its architecture, whose roots
derive from the Shilpa Shastra, one of the six Vedangas
Many large temples date back to the period 1000–1300
CE, when architecture flourished throughout India. The
Moghul Emperors (1526–1857) added their own
distinctive style, spending lavishly on forts, mosques and
palaces. For Hindus, the carving of sacred images and
figurines was an art form in itself, requiring years of
disciplined training.
Phases of Indian
Architecture
Indo-Islamic Architecture
The Islamic rule in India saw the introduction of
many new elements in the building style also. This was
very much distinct from the already prevailing building
style adopted in the construction of temples and other
secular architecture. The main elements in the Islamic
architecture is the introduction of arches and beams, and
it is the arcuate style of construction while the traditional
Indian building style is trabeate, using pillars and beams
and lintels.
Indo-Islamic Architecture
The introduction of decorative brackets,
balconies, pendentive decorations in the
architecture is an example in this regard. The other
distinguishing features of Indo-Islamic architecture
are the utilization of kiosks, tall towers and half-
domed double portals. As human worship and its
representation are not allowed in Islam, the
buildings and other edifices are generally decorated
richly in geometrical and arabesque designs.
Indo-Islamic Architecture
•Wood construction
thatched-bamboo huts
•Stone or brick
•Rock-cut
Rock-cut Vihara, Nasik
Sikhara