Architecture

S. Manikandan
 Akbar’s Style
Characteristics of Architecture of Akbar
Red sandstone
Ideal synthesis of Hindu and Muslim
Traditions constructions of domes
Arches
Portals
Increased use of marble
Impregnable forts,
tombs
Imposing and artistic gateways
Hindu temples
 Shah Jahan’s Style
The Mughall architecture reached
the zenith of its excellence
Built palaces
Mosques
Tomps
Pavilions of white marble at Agra, Lahore, Delhi,
Kabul, Kashmir, Ajmer, Kandahar and
Ahamadabad
He demolished many of Akbar’s red sand stone
structures in Agra and lahore forts and rebuilt
them of white marble which was available in
unlimited quantities in the quarries of Makrana
near Sambhal
Red Fort or Lal Qila, Delhi (1648)
Known as the epitome of Mughal grandeur
On the river bank of Yamuna
Used Red Stone (name Lal Qila)
2km in cirncumference
Height varies from 18 to 33 metre
Red sandstone wall
Moti Mahal
Hira Mahal
Rang Mahal
Beautiful Garden
Flower beds
Water courses
Ornamental fountains
Gilded domes
Hanging balconies
 Lahore Gate
17th century
Main gate of the fort towards Lahore
Royal chamber made of marble graceful arches
With precious stones
Diwan-i-Khas was a hall of private audience
World famous peacock throne (12 million)
Ceiling made of solid silver

Persian couplet written in Letters of gold (If there is a paradise on

earth. It is here! It is here! It is here!)

Bottom shape as Lotus Flower

Lahore Gate
 Lahore Fort
Built by Shah Jahan
 Purana Qila (Old Fort)
A magnificent historical monument

In this place the ancient city called Indraprastha flourished

Started by Humayun (1530) and completed by Sher Shah

Three Gate ways

Perfect amalgamation of Hindu and Muslim Style

Gigantic and planned structure

White, red and black stone and white marble

Behind there is a Manzil, there is a platform

Most important structure constructed by Sher Shah Suri

 Jama Masjid, Delhi
Largest Mosque in India and in the world
Situated west of red fort
Last architectural extravaganza of Shah Jahan
Work started in 1650 completed in 6 years
5000 people engaged
Emperor attended congregational prayers on every Friday
Three gate ways
Main courtyard is 408 sq ft made of red stone
Centre – large marble tank
Main mosque crowned by 3 onion shaped domes
North and south two 130 ft high minarets (for birds eye view of
the city)
Architecturally beautiful, a chapter of Holy Quran and strand of
Hair from the beard of prophet Mohammed and his sandals
found here
 Fatehpur Sikri (U.P.)
Buland Darwaza
Diwan-i-Khas (a private hall for audience)
Diwan-i-Am (the hall of Public Audience is 350 ft
long)
Panch Mahal (84 columns)
Mariam’s Palace (more paintings and miniature)
The Turkish Sultana’s Palace (wives)
Jodha Bai’s Palace (Rajput wife)
Birbal’s Palace (minister)
Fatehpur Sikri
 Buland Darwaza
The 175 ft hightest gateway in India by Akbar
50 km from Agra
Commemorate Akbar’s conquest of Khandesh
(Gujarat)
Akbar met a muslim holy man Shaikh Salim Chisti
Salim became Jahangir
In 1583 the English men met Akbar and amazed to
see the splendour of Darwaza
Today it looks deserted but fairy tale
Buland Daraza
Pancha Mal
Jodha Bai’s Palace
 Agra Fort in Uttar Pradesh
Finest and strongest citadels in the world

The Jahangir Mahal with red sand stone and Rajput style
Rang Mahal adorned with exquisite floral decoration
The Khas Mahal (the marble palace) by Shah Jahan

The Sheesh Mahal, a superp monument ornamented by small

pieces of mirror
The Diwan-i-Khas or the hall of private audience (marble palace)
Comprised of finely shaped flower beds, fountains, water
channels and tanks
Shah jahan built three mosques
Moti Masjid build in white marble
Agra Fort
Agra fort (view to Taj Mahal)
Red Sandstone
White Marble
 Western Influence

Advent of the Europeans

• Portuguese
• Dutch
• Danes
• English
• French

Western Styles and Patterns in Indian style

 Portuguese
• St. Catherine Church
 Dutch
• Sant Cruz Basalica
 Danes
• Tranqubar
 The French
• Pondicherry, Karaikkal, Mahe and Yenam
 Neo Classical
• Raj Bhavan in Calcutta 1799 – 1802 (till 1911)
• Rajaji Hall in Chennai (1802)
• Town Hall inMumbai (1833)
• Senate Hall of Calcutta University (1864)
Raj Bawan (Calcutta)
Rajaji Hall in Chennai (1802)
Town Hall in Mumbai (1833)
Senate Hall of Calcutta University
 Neo – Gothic Style
British Settlements in India
Star shaped and polygonal layouts
English Church Architecture
Provided with arcaded galleries and steeply gabled roofs,
adorned with a profusion of carved and inlaid polychrome
stonework, coloured tiles, and wrought iron,
pointed arch, the ribbed vault and the flying buttress

castles, palaces, town halls, guild halls, universities and to a

less prominent extent, private dwellings

St. Paul’s Cathedral in Calcutta (1847 – 1880)

All Saints Cathedral in Allahabad in U.P.
St. Lourdu’s Church in Trichy (T.N.)
St. Paul’s Cathedral in Calcutta
Lady of Lourdes Church (Trichy)
Indo Saracenic Architecture
 Indo Saracenic Architecture
With imaginative blend of Neo-Gothic elements with
cusped arches, rooftop chhatris, and bulbous domes
drawn from late Mughal architecture

Art Museum at Thiruvananthapuram in Kerala (1872)

Senate House of Madras University (1874-1879)
Lakshmi Vilas Palace in Baroda (1881)
 British Period
India Gate
Sansad Bhawan (Raj Bawan)
Gateway of India (Mumbai)
Fort St. George, Madras
Ripon Building
Fort William, Calcutta
Victoria Memorial (West Bengal)
High Court, Madras
Cannemara Library, Madras
India Gate
Sansad Bhawan
Gateway of Inda (Mumbai)
Fort St. George, Madras
Ripon Building
Fort William, Calcutta
Victoria Memorial (West Bengal)
High Court, Madras
Connemara Library, Madras