Institution in a Historic Context- Ujjain Theory & Design Studio Semester 2

Cosmic Architecture
Case Studies

Introduction | Astronomy and Architecture

The combination of astronomical knowledge with formal theories is detectable in the art and architecture of all cultures. Elementary astronomical knowledge abstracted as a geometric concept formed the starting point and precondition for many architectural designs, astronomy rarely served as a reason in itself for building. Division of buildings according to their relationship to astronomy:

1.

Buildings with astronomical purposes e.g.: Egyptian obelisks, Stonehenge in England, Jai Singhs observatories in north India

2.

Buildings which are designed as a result of astronomical or cosmological ideas, for example the astronomer Tycho Brahes Uraniborg Castle, the domes of Christianity and Islam, and examples of town planning such as Roman castrum or the classical Chinese town.

3.

Buildings which merely adopt the metrical canon arising from early astronomy (right- angled buildings).

4.

Buildings which do not confirm to the X-Y-Z coordinate system, for example Asiatic Bamboo buildings or Buckminster Fullers Dome.

Prehistoric Models | Stonehenge

Sight lines at the observatory of Stonehenge I, c. 3100 BC.

Sight lines for Stonehenge III, c. 2000BC

Astronomer G.S Hawkins in 1963 determined that the Stonehenge was not only a site for performing rituals in the Neolithic period, but the tops of the stones and the spaces between them were linked to the position of the sun and moon at equinoxes.
Stonehenge, c. 3100- 2000 BC. Overall plan of Stonehenge, c. 31002000 BC.

Image Source: http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/a/a0/Stonehenge_(sun).jpg

Ancient Models | Egypt

In Egypt Rome and ancient India, a pole which cast shadows (gnomon) was used to established north..

This small sundial from Egypt represents three different monumental sundials.

Geometrical analysis of sundial with horizontal face.

Ancient Models | Pyramid of Cheops

The triangular sides of the Cheops Pyramid (2650 BC.) near Cairo point in the direction of the four points of the compass and the passage leading to the kings burial chamber runs parallel to the earths axis

Image Source: www.gizapyramid.com/Image16, http://www.satimagingcorp.com/galleryimages/quickbird-pyramids-egypt.jpg

Mayan Models | Chichen Itza, Mexico

One of the most astonishing observatories in Central America, the so called Caracol in Chichen Itza, built in the 10th Century AD, is not merely a functional building but a sprawling architectural complex with wide steps and terraces in different heights.

Three narrow apertures are left open in the thick surrounding walls of the observation tower. The Mayans observed stars- by looking diagonally through one of the openings in such a way that the inside edge of one side of the window jamb coincides with the external edge of the opposite side, then one is looking in case (1) directly south, in case (2) directly west to the point of the equinoctial sunset, in case (3) at the point of moonset at the vernal equinox and in case (4) at the point of moonset at the summer solstice.

Medieval Models | Indian Sun Temples

Built for the Sun God, the Sun Wheel of this Hindu Sun Temple, at Konark, of the 13th century had right angled axes of the compass rose represented by pointing towards the points of a compass and the apparent orbit of the Sun, It is supposed to be an accurate time telling instrument.

Medieval Models | Uraniborg, Copenhagen

Site plan of Uraniborg, the observatory built Danish Astronomer Tycho Brahe on the island of Ven, c. 1580.

Tycho Brahes azimuthal quadrant was constructed in the same way as the reconstructed azimuthal quadrant on the roof the observatory in Samarkand, c.1580.

The castle and observatory built by Tycho Brahe, c.1580. The layout is imbued with geometrical and astronomical symbolism.

Indian astronomical architecture| Jai Singh II In India, in 1700s, reigned a King, who made a remarkable difference as a King.

Maharaja Sawai jai Singh (1688-1743) A Rajput King of Jaipur , Great Mathematician, Architect & Astronomer In 1719, he was witness to a noisy discussion in the court of Mughal Emperor Muhammad Shah. The heated debate regarded how to make astronomical calculations to determine an auspicious date when the emperor could start a journey. This discussion led Jai Singh to think that the nation needed to be educated on the subject of astronomy. It is surprising that in the midst of local wars, foreign invasions, and consequent turmoil, Sawai Jai Singh found time and energy to build astronomical observatories.

Jantar Mantar| Coordination systems

Alternative coordination systems for astronomical measurement

Jantar Mantar| Introduction

Five observatories, termed as the Jantar Mantar, were built at Delhi, Mathura (in his Agra province), Benares, Ujjain (capital of his Malwa province), and his own capital of Jaipur. Only the one at Jaipur is still operational. Relying primarily on Indian astronomy, these buildings were used to accurately predict eclipses and other astronomical events. The observational techniques and instruments used in his observatories were also superior to those used by European Jesuit astronomers he invited to his observatories. Each observatory contains 12-13 instruments.
Purpose measuring precisely position of stars, planets, sun, moon & zodiacal signs

Jantar Mantar| Delhi

1724 | 13 instruments
The Delhi Jantar Mantar is an enigma. Its huge and arresting forms evoke awe even today when architecture seems to consist primarily of strange shapes and proportions. Anisha Shekhar Mukherjee in the book Jantar Mantar

Jantar Mantar | Jaipur

1727-34 | 14 instruments
This archeoastronomical extravaganza is an expression of the astronomical skills and cosmological concepts of the court of a scholarly prince at the end of the Mughal period.

Jantar Mantar| Benaras

Jantar Mantar is located on the roof of the Man Mahal Palace near to the Dashashwamedh Ghat, Varanasi much above the water level of the Ganges

Yantras
4 major yantras Samrat Yantra the great sun-dial Jaiprakash Yantra the cut-out bowl Ram Yantra the cylindrical instrument Shasthamsa Yantra the sextant Other Yantras Misra Yantra Unnatansha Yantra Rashi Valaya Yantra Narivalaya Uttargola Yantra Dakshino Bhitto Yantra

Jantar Mantar| Instruments

Jaiprakash Yantra

Samrat Yantra

Jantar Mantar| Instruments

Rama Yantra

Unnatansha Yantra

Jantar Mantar| Instruments

Mishra Yantra

References

Cosmic Architecture in India, The Astronomical monuments of Maharaja Jai Singh II by Andreas Volwahsen Jantar Mantar, Maharaja Sawai Jai Singhs Observatory in Delhi by Anisha Shekhar Mukhrerjee

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