Chapter 13 - Indian Architecture(Part - II) - Notes, UPSC / IAS Exam | Art, Architecture and Literature by Shahid Ali PDF Download

INDIAN ARCHITECTURE

13.5 COLONIAL ARCHITECTURE AND THE MODERN PERIOD

The colonial influence can be seen in office buildings. Europeans who started coming from sixteenth century AD constructed many churches and other buildings. Portuguese built many churches at Goa, the most famous of these are Basilica Bom Jesus and the chruch of Saint Francis. The British also built administrative and residential buildings which reflect their imperial glory. Some Greek and Roman influence can be observed in the colonnades or pillared buildings. Parliament House and Connaught Place in Delhi are good examples. The architect Lutyens, designed Rashtrapati Bhavan, formerly the Viceroy’s residence. It is built of sandstone and has design features like canopies and jaali from Rajasthan. The Victoria Memorial in Calcutta, the former capital of British India, is a huge edifice in marble. It now houses a museum full of colonial artefacts. Writers’ Building in Calcutta, where generations of government officers worked in British times, is still the administrative centre of Bengal after independence. Some Gothic elements can be seen in the church buildings like St. Paul’s Cathedral in Calcutta. The British also left behind impressive railway terminals like the Victoria Terminus in Mumbai. More contemporary styles of building are now in evidence, after Independence in 1947. Chandigarh has buildings designed by the French architect, Corbusier. In Delhi, the Austrian architect, Stein, designed The India International Centre where conferences are held by leading intellectuals from all over the world and more recently, the India Habitat Centre which has become a centre of intellectual activities in the capital.

In the past few decades, there have been many talented Indian architects, some trained in premier schools of architecture like the School of Planning and Architecture (SPA) in Delhi. Architects like Raj Rewal and Charles Correa represent this new generation Raj Rewal has designed the SCOPE Complex and JawaharVyapar Bhavan in Delhi. He takes pride in using indigenous building material like sandstone for construction and also combines steps and open spaces from the plazas of Rome. An example of this is the C1ET building in Delhi. Charles Correa from Mumbai is responsible for the LIC Building in Connaught Place, Delhi. He has used glass facades in the high-rise to reflect light and create a sense of soaring height.

In domestic architecture in the last decade, Housing Cooperative Societies have mushroomed in all metropolitan cities combining utility with a high level of planning and aesthetic sense.

INTEXT QUESTIONS 13.4

1. Which were the most famous churches at Goa built by Protuguese?

2. Name the architect who designed the Rashtrapati Bhavan.

3. Which architectural style can be observed in buildings built during British empire in India?

4. What is contained in the Victoria Memorial building in Calcutta these day?

5. Who designed the city of Chandigarh?

6. Name the architect who deigned the India International Centre of Delhi?

7. Name some famous architects of modern India.

13.6 TOWNS AND CITIES IN INDIA

You have read in this lesson about the architecture of the ancient, medieval and modern periods in India. In the previous section you read about the School of Planning and Architecture in Delhi. You can see that Planning goes with Architecture . Do you know that this Planning is actually Town Planning, which is linked with urban development? It is evident that when we think or talk of architecture, we have to think of the related idea of town planning or urban development. In this section we will learn about the growth and development of towns and cities in India. It is indeed an interesting story. We would also spend some time in going into details about the four major cities of contemporary India - Chennai, Mumbai, Kolkata and Delhi. We will trace the origin of these cities and learn about their important structures and buildings.

You would be surprised to know that starting from the Harappan civilization, (also known as Indus-Saraswati Civilization by some historians), India has had a very long history of town planning, which can be traced back to 2350 B.C. As you have already learnt, the two cities of Harappa and Mohenjo-Daro had an elaborate drainage system, roads which cut each other at right angles, a citadel which was built on a high ground and in the lower parts lived the rest of the population. Kalibangam in Rajasthan and Surkoda in Kutch had similar city structure. From 600 B.C. onwards, we come across more towns and cities that were associated with both Aryan as well as Dravidian civilization. These were Rajgir, Varanasi, Ayodhya, Hastinapur, Ujjain, Sravasthi, Kapilavastu and Kausambhi besides many others. We also come across many towns in the Mauryan period known as Janapadas (small towns) and Mahajanapadas (big towns).

With the coming of the Muslims to India, the scene changed. Islamic influence became evident in the towns. Mosques, forts and palaces now dotted the urban scene. According to Abul Fazal, there were 2,837 towns in 1594 A.D. This was mainly because many larger villages were transformed into smaller towns which came to be called qasbas. These qasbas soon came to be occupied by local artisans and craftspersons, who started specializing in their chosen craft, for example leather works and marble in Agra. Sind specialized in cotton textiles, silk etc, while Gujarat excelled in the art of weaving gold and silk threads and made brocades that were often exported to other countries.

As you know, later, during the 16th century, the Europeans came to India through the sea route and thus began the establishment of new port towns like Panaji in Goa (1510), Bombay in Maharashtra (1532), Machilipatnam (1605), Nagapattnam (1658), Madras (1639) in the south and Calcutta (1690) in the east. The reason why these new port towns were developed by the British was because during this time England had developed into aleading industrial economy of the world, while India was the leading supplier of raw materials for the British industries as well as a potential major buyer of these goods. After 1853, railway lines were also laid out by the British to carry goods from the interiors to the ports or connecting areas which were supplying raw materials or receiving finished goods. By 1905, nearly 28,000 miles of rail lines had been spread to serve the economic, political and military interests of the British. Post and telegraph lines were also laid which were needed for communication purposes.

By the beginning of the 20th century, Bombay (now Mumbai), Calcutta (now Kolkata) and Madras (now Chennai) had become well known important cities for administration, commerce as well as industries. Some places like Dalhousie Square in Calcutta, Fort St. George in Madras, Connaught Place in Delhi and the sea shores of Marine Drive in Bombay reminded the Europeans of their home in England. But they also wanted the coolness of their environs back home in Europe. So new centres developed in the hill stations near these big cities to beat the sultry summer months of India, e.g. Mussoorie, Simla and Nainital in the North; Darjeeling and Shillong in the East; Nilgiri and Kodaikanal in the South.

New residential areas like Civil Lines and Cantonments came up in towns. The area where civilian administrative Officers lived was called Civil Lines, while cantonments were areas meant for the British Army Officers. Do you know that even today these two areas are meant for the elite in the administration and the army as in those days?

Let us now read the four metropolitan cities of India – Chennai, Kolkata, Mumbai and Delhi. Surely, you know these cities.

INTEXT QUESTIONS 13.5

1. Name 5 cities that came up in the ancient period in India.

i)________________, ii) ________________, iii) ________________,

iv) ________________, v) ________________

2. Name 5 places where ports were set up by the British.

i)________________, ii) ________________, iii) ________________,

iv) ________________, v) ________________

3. Name 5 Hill Stations developed by the British.

i)________________, ii) ________________, iii) ________________,

iv) ________________, v) ________________

4. Who lived in the Civil Lines?

5. What was the Cantonment?

13.6.1 Chennai

Chennai, formerly known as Madras, is the capital of the state of Tamil Nadu, and is one of the four metropolitan cities of India. The city grew up around Fort Saint George, and  with time, absorbed the surrounding towns and villages. In the 19th century, the city became the seat of Madras Presidency, the southern division of British Imperial India. After independence in 1947, the city became the capital of Madras State, which was renamed as Tamil Nadu in 1968. It has retained its traditional Tamil Hindu culture, and has been able to provide a unique blend of foreign influence and Indian culture. Chennai’s British influence is evident in various cathedrals, buildings, and wide tree-lined avenues.

The High Court Building, built in 1892, was said to be the largest judicial building in the world after the Courts of London. The main hallmark of Fort St George, its decorative domes and corridors, are reminiscent of new architecture.

The Ice House was used to store enormous blocks of ice cut from the Great Lakes in northern USA and shipped to India for refrigeration purposes during the colonial rule.

Another beautiful structure that came up during this time was the Church of St. John that had wide Gothic arches and beautiful stained-glass windows. It had the nave and aisles, a tower and a spire. The walls are made of rubble, faced with coarse Kurla Stone buff while the piers, arches, and dressings are of Porbunder Stone; the roof is built of teakwood and the floor of tiles imported from England.

Yet another structure worth mentioning that was built during this period was the General Post Office . Completed in 1872, the General Post Office in Chennai has a vast central hall, with a very high dome. It was built in local basalt with dressings of yellow stone from Kurla and white stone from Dhrangadra. It is an important tourist attraction. Inside, the marble topped tables, the high vaulted ceilings, and the sweeping staircases are designed for an ostentatious show of wealth and power of the British.

13.6.2 Kolkata

It is interesting to explore the origin & history of Kolkata. Do you know that it was the capital of British India till 1911? It was established as Calcutta in the year 1686, as a result of the expansion plans of the British. The city kept progressing until 1756, when Siraj-ud-Daula (Nawab of Bengal) attacked and succeeded in driving the British away from the town. In 1757, the following year, Battle  of Plassey took place, in which Robert Clive took over the city by defeating the Nawab.

With the establishment of Supreme Court at Calcutta in 1774, it became the seat of justice. The capital of British India was shifted from Calcutta to New Delhi in 1911. You may be aware that Calcutta was officially renamed as Kolkata in 2001. Let us now take a look at the famous structures and buildings of Kolkata that exist till today.

Howrah Bridge is located over the Hooghly River. It connects the city of Howrah to Calcutta. It stands on two 270 feet high pillars and was constructed without using any nuts and bolts. This bridge acts as an important symbol of Kolkata. It is probably the busiest bridge of the world.

Located in north Calcutta, Marble Palace was constructed in 1835. It serves as an exquisite art gallery. It displays marvelous objects of art, sculptures, pictures & oil paintings. It also has a zoo, where you can find different kinds of birds and animals. In fact, it has a rare collection of birds.

Fort William is situated at the banks of river Hooghly. It was established by the British, initiated by Robert Clive in 1696; it got completed by 1780. The basic purpose of setting up Fort William was to prevent attacks from invaders. The area that was cleared around the fort has become a maidan, where several exhibitions and fairs take place till today.

Victoria Memorial Hall in Calcutta is a fabulous museum that was established in the year 1921. It is a fantastic place that takes visitors into the world of past history. Today, Victoria Memorial is one of the finest art museums in Kolkata. It is a 184 ft tall edifice that was constructed on 64 acres of land.

Do you know that Eden Gardens Cricket Club in Calcutta came into existence in the year 1864. Today it has the capacity to  accommodate about 1, 20,000 persons. Eden Gardens of Calcutta definitely falls into the category of must see places.

The construction of Writers Building began as early as in 1690. It got its name owing to the fact that it served as the dwelling place for the junior writers of the East India Company. This Gothic structure came into existence during the tenure of Lt. Governor Ashley Eden (1877).

13.6.3 Mumbai

You know that Mumbai is located on the shores of Arabian Sea, on the West Coast of India. You will be surprised to know that it was once a group of seven islands. Although its site has been inhabited since pre-historic times, the city of Mumbai dates only to the arrival of the British in the 17th century, when it came up as Bombay. However, it really took shape in the 19th century. It was the first Indian city to have railways. Along with Calcutta, it was one of the first two Indian cities where newspapers came into existence.

During the second half of the 19th century many civic and public buildings were constructed in Bombay in Victorian Gothic Style e.g. the Secretariat (1874) the Council Hall (1876) and Elphinstone College (1890). But the most impressive style was the Victoria Terminus (modern Chhatrapati Shivaji Terminus), the massive railway construction in 1887. It looks more like a cathedral than a railway station. It contains carved stone friezes, stained glass windows and flying walls.

The famous Gateway of India was built with yellow stone in Indo-Saracenic style of architecture to honour the visit of King George V and Queen Mary to India. It was completed in 1924 at a cost of Rupees 24 lakhs, which was a fortune in those days. It has a 26 metre high archway and is complete with four turrets and intricate lattice work carved into the yellow basalt stone.

Since independence, Mumbai has continued to be India’s leading commercial and industrial city. The stock exchange, the business centres, the famous film industry called Bollywood  and anything you call in the name of westernization and modernization is all here. As you know, today it is the most important financial city of India with important industries like textiles, finance and film making. You are aware of the famous Bollywood, the biggest film industry in the world, where so many Hindi films are produced. Once known as the Gateway to India, traces of British rule are still evident in the city of Mumbai.

INTEXT QUESTIONS 13.6

1. Name 4 famous places of Chennai.

i) ____________________

ii) ____________________

iii) ____________________

iv) ____________________

2. Name 4 famous places of Kolkata.

i) ____________________

ii) ____________________

iii) ____________________

iv) ____________________

3. Name 4 famous places of Mumbai.

i) ____________________

ii) ____________________

iii) ____________________

iv) ____________________

13.6.4 Delhi

Do you know that Delhi became the capital of British India in 1911? That is why Delhi celebrated its 100th anniversary in 2011. Evidently, it was in 1911 that the modern city now called New Delhi came up. However, Delhi has a history much older than that. It is believed that there are at least seven important old cities that have come together to form Delhi. The first city of Delhi is believed to have been established on the right bank of the Yamuna by Yudhishthira, the oldest of the Pandava brothers by the name of Indraprastha . Surely, you remember the story of Mahabharata , which is the legend of the Pandavas and Kauravas!

According to folklore, Delhi was founded by Raja Dhilu. During the 2nd century A.D, Ptolemy, the Geographer marked Delhi in his map as Daidala

.But it was much before this that among the innumerable Harappa sites figures the city now called Delhi. The evidence of this can be seen if you visit the National Museum at Delhi. From that time onwards, Delhi has continued to grow. Today it has expanded so much that it is now one of the largest cities, not only in the country, but in the whole world.

A very interesting legend is associated with Delhi. The story goes like this: A snake Vasuki was pushed underground by an Iron Pillar in the Qutab Minar Complex during the time of King Ashoka. Several years later, when the Tomar king Anang Pal of Lal Kot, established his rule in Delhi, he pulled out this pillar and set the serpent free. At that time, it was predicted that no dynasty would now be able to rule over Delhi for long. After the Tomars came the Chauhans, who built a city called Qila Rai Pithora in the Lal Kot area, near Mehrauli. Prithvi Raj Chauhan of this dynasty ruled from Mehrauli

.

Delhi again came into prominence when the Slave Dynasty came into power. You will remember reading that Qutb-ud-din had started building the famous Qutub Minar, which was later finished by Iltutmish.

Later, when Alauddin Khilji became the Sultan, it was Siri that became the centre of power. The Siri Fort still exists and this area in Delhi is known as Shahpur Jat. Siri also has an interesting story to tell. Alauddin Khilji’s rule was constantly threatened by the Mongol invasions. Some of these Mongols who stayed back in the city rebelled. Alauddin Khilji got them beheaded and their heads were buried under the walls of the city. That is how the place came to be called Siri. As you know the word sir means head. We still use that word for head.

Some years later, when the Tughlaq dynasty came to power, Sultan Ghiyasuddin Tughlaq constructed the city called Tughlaqabad . This was designed as a fortified town. After Ghiyasuddin’s death, Mohammed Bin Tughlaq (1320-1388) enclosed the earlier cities of Delhi into a single unit and named it Jahanpanah.

Ibn Batuta, who served in the court of Mohammed Bin Tughlaq, has given a very interesting description of this city. He has described it as “.....the metropolis of India, a vast and magnificent city, uniting beauty with strength. It is surrounded by a wall that has no equal in the world, and is the largest city in India, nay rather the largest city in the entire Moslem Orient.”

Another important ruler of Tughlaq dynasty was Firoz Shah. During his reign, Delhi had an enormous population and covered an extensive area. He constructed Firozabad , located near Firoz Shah Kotla. However, the invasion of Timur, the king of Samarkand, in 1398, destroyed its glory, including the city of Jahanpanah. Timur took with him Indian architects and masons to build the mosques at Samarkand. The succeeding rulers shifted their capital to Agra.

It was the Mughal ruler Humayun, who built Dinpanah on the mound of ancient Indraprastha. However, it was Humayun’s grandson, Shah Jehan, who revived the lost glory of Delhi. He started building the Red Fort in 1639 and finished it in 1648. In 1650, he started the work of building the famous Jami Masjid. Shah Jehan’s city was called Shahjahanabad. Great poets such as Dard, Mir Taki Mir and Mirza Ghalib, etc. made Ghazals and the language of Ghazals, i.e. Urdu famous during this period. It is believed that Shahjahanabad was more beautiful than Baghdad in Iraq and Constantinople in Turkey. Over the centuries, the city was looted and destroyed by the armies of Nadir Shah (1739), Ahmad Shah Abdali (1748) as well as continuous attacks from within. All these weakened the city. But, in spite of all these problems, Delhi still had much to offer - Music, Dance, Drama and variety of delicious food along with a rich cultural language and literature.

It was said that Delhi was the home to at least 24 Sufis of which the most famous were from the Jahanpanah area. Some of them were:

1. Kutbuddin Bakhtiyar Kaki whose khanqah or dera was at Mehrauli;

2. Nizamuddin Auliya, whose khanqah was at Nizamuddin;

3. Sheikh Nasiruddin Mahmud, who is popularly known today as Chiragh-e-Delhi;

4. Amir Khusro, who was a great poet, magician and scholar.

After 1707, the Mughal power weakened and Delhi became a pale shadow of itself. In 1803, the British occupied Delhi after defeating the Marathas. The areas around Kashmere Gate and Civil Lines became important centres, where the British built many structures. In 1911, the British shifted their capital to Delhi and built an entirely new city called New Delhi. It was made on a majestic scale. The large structure of the India Gate, the Viceroy House which is now the Rashtrapati Bhavan, Parliament House and the North and South Blocks were all made to impress the Indian subjects of the British rule. They were meant to show the supremacy, the majestic power as well as the regality of the British. This new city was completed by 1932. The Connaught Place still remains an important commercial  centre of the city. Delhi remains an important commercial, cultural and political centre of India. Massive buildings, beautiful parks, flyovers, the Metro, a beautiful airport, educational centres, museums, big wholesale markets, Embassies and High Commissions of all countries of the world, large malls, major industries, etc. all contribute to making it a beautiful city. It is said: Dilli hai dil walon ki (Delhi belongs to those who have a large heart).

INTEXT QUESTIONS 13.7

1. Match the cities within Delhi with the king who built them

2. Name 4 famous Sufi saints of the Jahanpanah area.

i) ____________________

ii) ____________________

ii) ____________________

iv) ____________________

WHAT YOU HAVE LEARNT

 The history of Indian architecture and sculpture is as old as the civilization of lndus Valley.

 Architecture holds the key to the understanding of the cultural diversity of any part of India as it is influenced by the cultural traditions and religious practices of different times.

 Buddhism and Jainsim helped in the development of early architectural style of India in building stupas, viharas and chaityas.

 During the time of Gupta, Pallavas and Cholas temple architecture flourished.

 Delhi Sultanate and Mughals brought with them Persian influence and we witness an Indo-persian style of architecture.

 The Britishers and other colonial powers brought the European impact on Indian architecture and effected a synthesis of those with indigenous styles and also instituted the typical colonial style of architecture where materials were used to fashion majestic buildings and offices.

 Starting from the Harappa civilization, India has had a very long history of town planning, which can be traced back to 2350 B.C.

 Several towns came up since then.

 There were 2,837 towns in 1594.

 By the beginning of the 20th century, Bombay (now Mumbai), Calcutta (now Kolkata) and Madras (now Chennai) had become well known important cities for administration, commerce as well as industries.

 Delhi became the capital of British India in 1911. However, Delhi has a history much older than that.

 It is believed that there are at least seven important old cities that have come together to form Delhi. These are probably Indraprastha, Lal Kot, Mehrauli, Siri, Tughlaqabad, Firozabad and Shahjahanabad

TERMINAL EXERCISE

1. Describe architectural styles of Harappan civilization.

2. Elaborate the contributions of Gupta, Pallavas and Chola rulers in the temple architecture of India.

3. What were the different styles of architecture and sculpture found in India?

4. Buddhism and Jainism had contributed in the architecture developemnt of India - discuss.

5. How would you view the construction of monuments during the regime of Delhi Sultanate?

6. The architecture during Mughal period was a synthesis of the Indian, Persian, Mongol and Mughal style. Elaborate.

7. Narrate the story of Delhi in your own words.

8. Find out the truth about the saying Dilli hai dil walon ki. Write an essay on it. You can search on the internet or get books from a library.

ANSWERS TO INTEXT QUESTIONS

13.1

1. The emergence and decay of great empires and dynasties in the sub-continent influenced the growth and shape of Indian culture.

2. The Public bath at the site of Mohenjodaro is an evidence of their engineering skills.

3. Kushinagar

4. Lumbini, Sarnath, Bodhi Tree, Kushinagar

5. During Gupta period

6. Religious architectural remains related to Lord Buddha

7. At Lothal, Gujarat

13.2

1. A large palace curved out of wood.

2. Sanchi stupas and Sarnath stupas

3. On Monolithic stone pillars

4. Gandhara Art

Mathura School

Amaravati School

5. In Orissa

6. The Rashtrakutas

7. The Pallavas

8. A temple architecture style having vimana or shikara, high walls and the gateway topped by gopuram.

9. Brihadeshwara Temple

10. Temples constructed with shikaras (spiral roofs), the garbhagriha (sanctum) and the mandap (Pillared Halls)

11. Narshimha Deva I

12. Dilwara Temple

13.3

1. Domes, arches, minarets

2. Quwwatiful Islam mosque at Delhi

Qutab Minar - At Delhi

Tomb of Mohammad Tuglaq

Tomb of Firoz Tuglaq

Tomb of Ibrahim Lodhi - At Delhi

Sher Shah Tomb at Sasaram

3. Gol Gumbaz

4. Decorative design in inlay work in building constructed during mughal period.

5. Buland Darwaja

13.4

1. Basilica Bom Jesus and the church of Saint Francis.

2. Lutyens

3. Greek and Roman architectural styles.

4. It houses museum full of colonial artefacts.

5. French architect Corbusier.

6. An Austrian architect Stein

7. (i) Raj Rewal

(ii) Charles Correa

13.5

1. Harappa, Mohenjo-Daro, Kalibangam, Surkoda Rajgir, Varanasi, Ayodhya, Hastinapur, Ujjain, Sravasthi, Kapilavastu, Kaushambi or any other/s not mentioned in this lesson.

2. Any 5 out of Panaji, Bombay, Machilipatnam, Nagapattnam, Madras, Calcutta or any other/s not mentioned in this lesson.

3. Any 5 out of Mussoorie, Simla, Nainital, Darjeeling, Shillong, Nilgiri, Kodaikanal or any other/s not mentioned in this lesson.

4. Civilian Officers

5. Army Officers

13.6

1. The High Court Building, The Ice House, Church of St. John, General Post Office or any other/s not mentioned in this lesson.

2. Any 4 out of Howrah Bridge, Marble Palace, Writers Building, Fort William, Eden Gardens, Victoria Memorial Hall or any other/s not mentioned in this lesson.

3. Any 4 out of Secretariat, Council Hall, Elphinstone College, Victoria Terminus (modern Chhatrapati Shivaji Terminus), Gateway of India or any other/s not mentioned in this lesson.

13.7

1. 

2. Kutbuddin Bakhtiyar Kaki, Nizamuddin Auliya, Sheikh Nasiruddin Mahmud, Amir Khusro, or any other/s not mentioned in this lesson.