ART AND

ARCHITECTURE IN British Colonial Period:

1612 - 1947

INDIA
 Colonization was grounded,

THE BRITISH ARRIVAL with the arrival of East India

Company, an English joint-stock
company.
THE BRITISH ARRIVAL -
DOWNFALL OF THE MUGHALS
Aurangzeb, the successor of Shah Jahan, had loathed and hadn’t a soft spot for art
and architecture.
This attitude of Aurangzeb resulted in the sufferance of Mughal architecture, with
all the artisans migrating to work under the patronage of the local rulers.
With no architectural projects undertaken, Mughal style rapidly declined.
This decline was evident in buildings such as Bibi Ka Maqbara, built by Azam
Shah, son of Aurangzeb.
The last architectural marvel produced during this waning period of Mughal rule
was Safdarjung’s Tomb (New Delhi), mausoleum to the second Nawab of Awadh.
THE TOMB OF SAFDARJUNG Built and completed around
-NEW DELHI 1754.
THE BRITISH ARRIVAL –
COLONIZATION
The arrival of the British 1615 completely led to the downfall of the Mughal empire.
Britain reigned over 300 years, and when they left, their ultimate legacy was very well
evident in the buildings and infrastructure of the previously occupied colonies.
The majority of the cities that were colonized during this period were Madras,
Calcutta, Bombay, Delhi, Agra, Bankipore (in Patna), Karachi, Nagpur, Bhopal and
Hyderabad.
 The architecture by these colonizers became an emblem of power, where numerous
colonizers invaded India and created their own styles reflecting their ancestral culture,
which symbolized their mission of conquest, dedicated to state or religion.
The British, French, Dutch and the Portuguese were the main powers that colonized
India. British was the most prevailing colonizer of all.
BRITISH MAN GETS The exploitation of Indians by

PEDICURE FROM the British is a proof of

hierarchical establishment

INDIAN SERVANT during the British India.

THE BRITISH ARRIVAL –
ARCHITECTURAL CHANGE
The colonial influence can be seen in office buildings.
Europeans, from 16th century AD, came to India and started constructing churches and
other buildings.
The British also built administrative and residential buildings which reflect their
imperial glory.
Some Gothic elements can be seen in the church buildings like St. Paul’s Cathedral in
Calcutta.
And the Britishers started constructing impressive railway terminals; were laid out to
connect ports, to carry goods, raw materials or receiving finished goods. This was
possible because during this time, as Britain had developed into the leading industrial
economy of this world, and India was the source of raw materials.
THE BRITISH ARRIVAL – ART
AND SCULPTURAL CHANGE
As gifted Englishmen, who paint, were arriving, they had a primary intention to please
and pacify the Indian, as well as the British upper society.
Such paintings had a common theme of royalist touch in every brush stroke these
painters made. Prized collections were accumulated, of these famed English painters. It
was a magnum opus affair.
Sculpture during early British rule was brilliant and attracted numerous Indians and
English alike.
Church and finery works were primarily overlooked after, including perfect carvings
of funeral epitaphs.
War was a common theme, which made way for these sculptors to render masterpieces
of pure exuberhance.
THE BRITISH ARRIVAL –
BRITISH STYLE
The British followed various architectural styles – Gothic, Imperial, Christian,
English Renaissance, and Victorian being the essentials.
Their style that took over, finally, was in the colonies listed –
• Mumbai – Victoria Terminus
• Calcutta – The Victoria Memorial, Howrah Bridge
• Madras – Fort St. George
• Indo-Saracenic – Architectural style; used in public and governmental buildings.

They also embarked on deliberate vandalism of Red Fort, which was the first
attempt towards erasing the architectural legacy of the Mughals.
THE CHHATRAPATI SHIVAJI TERMINUS; Built: 1878 – 1888
OR THE VICTORIA TERMINUS Designer: Frederik William
-MUMBAI Stevens
 THE The features that defined the
British Raj’s architecture and an
CHARACTERISTICS exploration into it.
THE CHARACTERISTICS –
EXPERIMENTATION OF
ARCHITECTURAL STYLES
The British “Raj” was formed to usher in a new era of architectural tradition.
They Contemplated marriage between existing styles of India with imported style
from the West such as Gothic, Neo-Classical and Art-Deco. Gothic even more so
because their design was philosophically inclined towards grand scale(Taj Hotel). By
doing this, the British maintained their architecture while adding Indian
characteristics.
This made the existing regional princes at that time to digest the fact that English
were here. It made it a little “palatable” for them.
The British tried to encapsulate South Asia’s past within their own buildings to
represent British Raj as legitimate, while also constructing modern network of
railways, colleges, and law courts.
THE CHARACTERISTICS –
COLONIES
By the beginning of the 20th century, Bombay, Calcutta, and Madras had become
well known important cities for administration, commerce as well as industries.
Places like Dalhousie Square (Cal.), Fort St. George (Madr.), Connaught Place
(Delhi) and the sea shores of Marine Drive (Bombay) reminded Europeans of their
home in England. But they required coolness of their own home.
New centres developed in the hill stations, in big cities, e.g: Mussoorie, Simla and
Nainital (North); Darjeeling and Shillong (East); Nilgiri and Kodaikanal (South).
Civil Lines and Cantonments came up in towns. Administrative Officers and
British Army Officers lived there, respectively. Only meant for the elite, those days.
THE CHARACTERISTICS -
COLONIES: METROPOLITAN
CITIES
The four metropolitan cities of India:
1. Chennai
2. Kolkata
3. Mumbai
4. Delhi

Let us discuss more about this, now.

Ripon Building

CHENNAI Formerly known as ‘Madras’.

Capital city of Tamil Nadu.
CHENNAI
Grew up around Fort Saint George, and with time, absorbed surrounding towns and
villages.
In 19th century, the city became the seat of Madras Presidency. Southern division of
British Imperial India.
In 1947, the city became capital of Madras State, later renamed ‘Tamil Nadu’.
Retained Tamil Hindu culture, provided blend of foreign influence and Indian
culture.
British influence evident in cathedrals, buildings and wide tree-lined avenues.
CHENNAI: THE HIGH COURT
BUILDING
Built in 1892.
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.
CHENNAI: THE ICE HOUSE
To store enormous blocks of ice cut
from Great Lakes in northern USA.
Shipped to India for refrigeration
purposes during the colonial rule.
Currently known as the Vivekananda
House.
CHENNAI: CHURCH OF ST.
JOHN
A beautiful structure that had wide
Gothic arches and beautiful stained-
glass windows.
It had the nave and aisles, a tower and
a spire.
Walls are made of rubble, and
dressings are of Porbandar Stone; the
roof is of teakwood and floor tiles
imported from England.
CHENNAI: GENERAL POST
OFFICE
Completed in 1872, the G.P.O. has a
vast central hall, with a very high dome.
Built in local basalt with dressings of
yellow stone from Kurla and white stone
from Dhrangadra.
Important tourist attraction.
All amenities designed for an
ostentatious show of wealth and power
of the British.
Kolkata Town Hall

KOLKATA Formerly known as Calcutta.

Capital city of West Bengal.
KOLKATA
Capital of British India till 1911.
Established as Calcutta in the year 1686, as a result of the British plans.
City kept progressing till 1756, when Siraj-ud-Daula (Nawab of Bengal) attacked
and succeeded in driving the British away from the town. Robert Clive took over
after a battle in 1757, after defeating the Nawab.
Seat of justice after estbl. of Supreme Court.
Capital changed to New Delhi in 1911. Renamed to Kolkata in 2001.
KOLKATA: HOWRAH BRIDGE
Bridge Located over the Hooghly
River.
City of Howrah to Calcutta.
Stands on 270 feet high pillars and was
constructed without using any nuts and
bolts.
Symbol of Kolkata.
Busiest bridge in the world, probably.
KOLKATA: MARBLE PALACE
Constructed in 1835.
An exquisite art gallery.
Displays marvellous objects of art,
sculptures, pictures & oil paintings.
Has a zoo.
It has a rare collection of birds.
KOLKATA: VICTORIA
MEMORIAL HALL
A fabulous museum established in
1921.
A fantastic place that takes visitors into
the world of past history.
One of the finest art museums of
Kolkata.
A 184 feet tall edifice, constructed on
64 acres of land.
The Gateway Of India

MUMBAI Formerly known as Bombay.

Capital city of Maharashtra.
MUMBAI
Located on the shores of the Arabian Sea, West Coast of India.
Once a group of seven islands.
City dates back to the arrival of the British in 17th century, came up as Bombay.
First Indian city to have railways.
One of the first two cities (other one, Calcutta) where newspapers came into
existence.
MUMBAI: VICTORIA
TERMINUS
A massive railway construction in
1887.
Looks more like a cathedral than a
railway station.
Contains carved stone friezes, stained
glass windows and flying walls.
MUMBAI: THE GATEWAY OF
INDIA
Built with yellow stone in Indo-
Saracenic style of architecture to honour
the visit of King George V and Queen
Mary to India.
Completed in 1924 at the cost of
Rupees 24 lakhs. A fortune in those
days.
It has a 26 metre high archway and
complete with 4 turrets and intricate
lattice work carved into the yellow
basalt stone.
The Rashtrapati Bhavan (Viceroy House)

Currently known as New Delhi,

DELHI within the urban district of Delhi

(Union Territory).
Capital city of India.
DELHI
Became the capital of British India in 1911.
At least seven important old cities have come together to form Delhi.
According to folklore, Delhi was founded by Raja Dhilu.
One of the largest cities in the whole world.
An interesting legend is associated to Delhi…
After 1707, the Mughal power weakened, and Delhi became a pale shadow of itself.
Areas around Kahmere Gate & Civil Lines became important centres, where the British built many structures. In
1911, the British shifted their capital and built and an entirely new city, New Delhi.
The large structure of India Gate, the Rashtrapati Bhavan, Parliament House, and North and South Blocks were
all made to impress the Indian subjects under British rule.
They were meant to show the supremacy, the majestic power as well as the regality of the British.
City completed by 1932. The Connaught place still remains an important commercial hub.
THE ENDGAME OF THE
BRITISH RULE
Like all other aspects of society, the colonization of India had a great impact on art
and architecture of India.
Colonization marked a new chapter in Indian culture.
In the beginning of the colonial rule, there were attempts of creating authority through
classical prototypes.
Colonial art and architecture in India followed developments not only from the
metropolis, but also took inspiration from existing art and architecture in India.
To conclude, British colonial rule had a great impact on Indian art and architecture, as
a whole, and the European advent was marked by a relative insensitivity to native art
and architectural traditions. And toward the end of the 19 th century, rising nationalism
attempted a conscious revival of Indian art.
CREDITS
• Abhinav
•Anirudh
•Joel
•Navya
•Rohith
•Srilekha