Indian Architecture

¤ A Unique Blend of Past

Indian architecture is a unique representation of the efforts on the part of the unsung artisans who dedicated their lives to the creation of elemental designs and experimentation with new ideas. Going by tradition and after tracing Indian architecture through 2000 years, the monuments reveal subtle details of Muslim, Hindu and Jain architecture which leap forth on the very first glance and those little carvings which create awe. The colossal domes and the intricate patterns on walls and pillars present before you architecture, which was experimented with and perfected. One can find thousands of monuments, evolving from simplicity and geometric anarchy to splendid harmonies of stone, marble and brick.


¤ Indian Architecture - The Creation of Diverse Religions

Hindu Architecture : Hinduism is a religion based on worshipping thousands of deities, and for each one of them there exist thousands of temples and its magnifienct architecture. Hindu architecture concentrates immensely on the religious and spiritual.

Islamic Architecture : While Islamic architecture remained constrained to monuments, Hindus incorporated idols into their art, a feature unseen during Islamic rule since their religion forbids idol worship.

Jain Architecture : Jain architecture is considered almost an offshoot of Hinduism and Buddhism. In the initial years, wherever there would be Buddhist temples Jains would begin making their own, following the Buddhist rock-cut style. However, in later years when Jains discovered the concept of `mountains of immortality’, they proceeded to deviate from Hindu and Buddhist sites and build on their own.

Buddhist Architecture :The origin of Buddhist architecture goes back to Gandhara, the region from the Khyber Pass to the river Indus which Alexander the Great used to invade India in 326BC.

Gandhara Architecture : Gandhara architecture, the merger of Indian and Greek art, took the form of Buddhist cult objects, Buddhas and ornaments for Buddhist monasteries. The genesis of the first Buddhist stupa came about during this period. The more decorative art was in the form of small votive stupas illustrated with clay images of birds, dragons, sea serpents and humans.