Indian Institute of Technology Kharagpur Timeline: History of Architecture
ASI -Archeological Survey of India
Epochs means era. A river valley civilization is a civilization situated beside and drawing sustenance from a river. A river gives the inhabitants a reliable source of water for drinking and agriculture. Additional River Valley Civilizations benefits include fishing, fertile soil due to annual flooding, and ease of transportation. Source: TIFR, Gangal, Adhikari and Vahia, 2009 4 Janapadas & Mahajanapadas Vedic Period (1500-600 BCE) 5 Mahajanapadas → Mauryan Empire
Mahajanapadas (600BCE) Chandragupta Maurya Period Asoka Period Mauryan Empire (268-232 BCE) (322BCE – 298BCE)
• The Maurya Empire was a geographically extensive Iron Age historical power in South Asia based in Magadha, founded by Chandragupta Maurya in 322 BCE, and existing in loose-knit fashion until 185 BCE.
6 Spread of Buddhism • Buddhism laid emphasis on ‘Karma’ Present is determined by past actions.
• Buddhism was accepted by people of Magadha, Kosala, Kaushambi,
Shakyas, Vajjis, Mallas.
• Ashoka and Kanishka made Buddhism the state religion and the religion was spread with their empire to Central Asia, West Asia and Sri Lanka.
• The Four Buddhist Councils
• The institutions of Sanghas had helped to organize the spread of
buddhism
2/9/2024 7 Spread of Jainism • Teachings of Mahavira became very popular among masses
• Like Buddhism Jainism also underwent changes over time.
• Gandharas, 11 disciples
• Chandragupta Maurya became a follower of Jainism and helped
spread it Southern India
• The institutions of Sanghas had helped to organize the spread of
Buddhism
• Mathura and Ujjain were centers of Jainism
2/9/2024 8 Elements of Design WESTERN GHATS: Sahyadris Ajanta Karle Mansara - A book for developing temples
Hindu Temple Architecture
• Dev-alaya : Deva-sthana : Man-dhira • Temples are designed to dissolve the boundaries between man and the divine • Hindu temples are composed of one repeating unit or fractal • Circle = completeness and Square = symmetry • Large temples were built on the riverbanks, hill tops or on the sea-shore
10 • The architect or Sthapati begins by drafting a square. • The square is fundamental form of sacred architecture in India. It is considered the essential and perfect form. It presupposes the circle. • Expanding energy shapes the circle from the center; it is established in the shape of the square fractals. • The circle and curve belong to life in its growth and movement. The square is the mark of order, the finality to the expanding life, life's form and the perfection beyond life and death. • From the square all requisite forms can be derived: the triangle, hexagon, octagon, circle etc. The sthapati calls square the vastu- purusha-mandala—vastu the manifest, purusha the Cosmic Being, and mandala, in this case, the polygon within which the purusha rests. 11 Silpa-Shastra • The “Silpa-Shastra” refers to the science of habitation. • One amongst the sixty-four such arts encompassing the science of construction. The Sanskrit treatise “Manasara” is considered an important work on architecture. Containing 70 Adyayas (Chapters) and 10,000 shlokas on Indian Architecture and Design. The ancient literature describes detailed guidelines and proportions for Buildings, Towns, Temples, bridges, market centers, streets, roads, wells, tanks, dams, embankments, steps for hill, bathing ghats, gardens, meditation areas and many more. All varieties of furniture such as thrones, couches, wardrobes, chairs, tables, etc. are also mentioned as well as making of ornaments dresses, sculpture, the art of carving from stones and metals. 12 Islam entering Indian Subcontinent
Ghaznavids Ghurids Mamluks Khiljis Tughlaqs
977-1186 879-1215 1206-1290 1290-1320 1320-1413 Mahmud of Ghazni Qutbu l-Din Aibak Illtutmish Alauddin Khilji Feroz Shah Tughlaq • 1018: Raided • 1194: Varanasi Sultanate of Delhi Southward expansion Mahammad Bin Tughlaq Mathura • 1202: Ganges Valley • 1026: Plundered Somnath Temple Delhi Sultanate 13 Fatehpur Sikri • Built by Akbar as his capital about 26 miles west of Agra, Fatehpur Sikri • Built between 1572 and 1585 • The city was abandoned in 1585 • ASI excavation indicates that the city was built 27.091°N 77.661°E over ‘SIKRI’ a village with temples, hamlets and commercial centers. • The city stands on a sandstone outcrop which runs in a north-east to south-west direction. It is surrounded by a bastioned wall enclosing an irregular area about 3 KM long and 1 KM broad. • The city consists of an arrangement of broad terraces and courtyards around which are grouped numerous palaces and pavilions. 14 Elements of Islamic Architecture • Geometrical • Mashrabiya Patterns • Iwans • Arabesque and • Minbar Floral Motifs • Mihrab • Calligraphy • Maqsurah • Minarets • Riwaq / Liwan • Domes • Crenellations • Courtyards • Muqarnas • Water Features: Fountains, Pools and Reflection pools 15
