Indian Architecture

Ar. Mike Francis Arias

 Indian Architecture
• One of the thriving cities mainly in
the Indus Valley

Major cities:
Mohenjo-Daro and Harappa
and Kalibangan

Cities were ruled by priest-kings

Building Materials: Wood then Bricks,
carved out stones
 Indian Architecture : Religion
• HINDUISM
Third great civilization to emerge in a fertile
river valley
16-Kingdoms or the Mahajanapadas of India
1. Anga 9. Matsya
2. Assaka 10. Panchala
3. Avanti 11. Surasena
4. Chedi 12. Vajji
5. Gandhara 13. Vatsa
6. Kasi 14. Kamboja
7. Kuru 15. Kosala
8. Magadha 16. Malla
 Indian Architecture : Religion
• HINDUISM
Belief in “Atman”, Reincarnation and
“Karma”

Hindu worship takes place in the

“Mandira”(temple)

Dharma – soul’s purpose

Vedas – sacred scriptures
Kailasa Temple, Maharashtra
Vimana – the sanctuary of a Hindu temple in
which a deity is enshrined.
 Indian Architecture : Religion
• HINDUISM
THE CASE SYSTEM OF HINDUISM
Aka VARNAS
“Social Hierarchy”
Brahman - Highest class
related to the Hindu concept of atman, the soul
or self, in that each person is connected to the
brahman, the embodiment of the universe and
force that is in all things.
Kshatriya – Second Highest
Vaishya – Third highest
Shudra – lowest ranked
Dalit – no varna designation
 Indian Architecture : Religion
• HINDUISM
CHIEF GODS
Trimurti – “Three forms” of the divine gods.
BRAHMA - is a Hindu god, referred to as
"the Creator"
 Indian Architecture : Religion
• HINDUISM
CHIEF GODS
VISHNU - is the god of Preservation, the
great maintainer who often appears in
various incarnations (avatara) to provide
salvation for humanity.
 Indian Architecture : Religion
• HINDUISM
CHIEF GODS
SHIVA - known as the Destroyer or
Transformer
 Indian Architecture : Religion
• BUDDHISM
• A complex system of beliefs developed around
the teachings of Buddha

Founder: SIDDHARTHA GAUTAMA

Rejects Caste system of Hinduism

Belief in Reincarnation and Karma

Goal: Overcome Human weaknesses including

greed and anger.
 Indian Architecture : Religion
• JAINISM
• All living thing possess an immortal soul
which has always and will always exist.
• teaches that the path to enlightenment is
through nonviolence and reducing harm to
living things (including plants and animals)
as much as possible.

• Like Hindus and Buddhists, Jains believe in

reincarnation. This cycle of birth, death, and
rebirth is determined by one's karma.

• Care and Respect

• “Jina” – victor or conqueror

 Indian Architecture : Evolution
• MAURYAN PERIOD
In 3rd century BC, Emperor Ashoka
aka Ashoka the Great made Buddhism
the state region of India
 Indian Architecture : Evolution
• MAURYAN PERIOD
STUPA

A Buddhist memorial mound erected

to enshrine a relic of Buddha.

Aka. Stupa no. 1

Built by Emperor Ashoka
• The Great Stupa at Sanchi
 Indian Architecture : Evolution
• MAURYAN PERIOD
PARTS OF STUPA
ANDA – Dome, symbolizes the dome of
heaven enclosing the earth.
RAILINGS
HARMIKA – Square railing, represents
the world mountain
MEDHI (not totally a railing but a
wall) – circular terrace, eclosed by a
railing surrounding the dome.
VEDIKA – low wall railings enclosing
the sacred place.
CHATTRI – Umbrella shaped finial
symbolizing dignity, composed of a stone
disk on a vertical pole.
 Indian Architecture : Evolution
• MAURYAN PERIOD
PARTS OF STUPA

• TORANA – ceremonial gateway,

placed at four cardinal points.
• ANDA – central hemispherical
structures on a base with a relic
chamber deep within.
• AXIS MUNDI – axis of the earth,
pertaining to symmetry.
• PRADAKSHINA-PATHA –
circumambulatory passage.
 Indian Architecture : Evolution
• EARLY INDIAN
• Period where stupas became
progressively larger and more
elaborate.
• Stone railings of stupas are lavishly
carved with relief sculpture
• Cave Temples (Chaitya) and
monasteries

• Buddhist Cave Temple, Karli

Maharashtra India
 Indian Architecture : Evolution
• GUPTA PERIOD
• New style of Hindu temple with
small sanctuary (Garbha Griha) or
“womb room” topped with a
pyramid-shaped tower or spire
called a Shikhara

• Dashavatara Temple, Deograph

 Indian Architecture : Evolution
• MEDIEVAL PERIOD
• Temples include a small square
sanctuary (Garbha Griha) and one
more pillared porches or halls
(Mandapa)
• Kalasa – A finial, generally in the
form of metal or stone, used to top
the domes of Hindu temples.
• Amalaka – a segmented or
notched stone disk, usually with
ridges on the rim, that sits on top
of a Hindu temple’s Shikhara or
main tower.
• In northern India: tower or spire
above the sanctuary is known as
“Shikhara” – curved outline
• Lakshmana Temple, Khajuraho, Madhya State India
 Indian Architecture : Evolution
• MEDIEVAL PERIOD
• Temples include a small square
sanctuary (Garbha Griha) and one
more pillared porches or halls
used for religious dancing and
music (Mandapa)

• In southern India: tower or spire

above the sanctuary is of the
“Kutina” type –pyramidal shape

• Brihadishvara Temple, Thanjavur, Tamil Nadu State India

 Indian Architecture : Evolution
• ISLAMIC PERIOD
• Extension of Islam into India
(11-12th century.

• Introduced typical Muslim

Architectural elements into
mosques, tombs etc.

• Mughal Dynasty – Emperor Shah

Jahan

Built entirely of red stone and marble

Introduced high arches, double domes

• Humayun’s Tomb, Delhi India
to Indian Architecture
 Indian Architecture : Evolution
• ISLAMIC PERIOD
• Centered on a plot of land divided
into 36 squares

• Humayun’s Tomb, Delhi India

 Indian Architecture : Evolution
• ISLAMIC PERIOD
• Taj Mahal, Agra India
• Built by Emperor Shah Jahan for
his favorite wife Mumtaz Mahal
• Considered as the finest example
of Mughal Architecture (blend of
Indian, Persian and Islamic style)
UNESCO WHS, 1983
Building is covered in pure white
Makrana Marble

• Taj Mahal, Agra India

 Indian Architecture : Architectural Examples
• STAMBHA
• Freestanding monumental pillars,
believed to be a “Cosmic Column”
functioning as a bond joining heaven
and earth.

• Kirti Stambha, Rajhastan India

 Indian Architecture : Architectural Examples
• VIHARA
• Buddhist monastery often excavated
from solid rock

• String of 30 caves linked by

Buddhist Monks as prayer halls and
monasteries

• Ajanta Caves, Maharashtra India

 Indian Architecture : Architectural Examples
• CHAITYA
• Shrine carved out of solid rocks at
hillside: forms an aisled basilica
with a stupa at one end

• Buddhist Cave Temple, Karu

Maharashtra India
 Indian Architecture : Architectural Examples
• MANDIRA
• Hindu temple with an interior
sanctuary (Vimana), capped by a
tapering spire-shaped tower
(Shikhara) and a porch-like halls
(mandapa) for dancing and music.

• Sri Ranganathaswamy Temple, Karnataka India