A Journey Through Indian Architecture Class 8 Notes SST Part 2 Chapter 3

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Class 8 A Journey Through Indian Architecture Notes

A Journey Through Indian Architecture Notes Class 8

→ Ajanta Caves: Rock-cut caves famous for paintings.

→ Anda: The dome-shaped central part of a stupa.

→ Arches: Curved structures used in construction to support buildings.

→ Architecture: The art and science of designing and building structures.

→ Baked Bricks: Strong bricks made by heating clay in a kiln.

→ Brihadishvara Temple: A famous South Indian temple.

→ Charbagh: A garden divided into four parts.

→ Chittorgarh Fort: One of the largest forts in India.

→ Church: A place of worship for Christians.

→ Colonial Architecture: European-style buildings in India during colonial rule.

→ Corbelled: Built by placing stones or blocks one above another so that each layer projects slightly beyond the one below.

→ Dome: A rounded roof structure.

→ Drainage System: A system that removes waste water from buildings and streets.

→ Ellora Caves: Rock-cut caves representing Buddhism, Hinduism and Jainism.

→ Fort: A strong building used for defence.

→ Garbhagriha: The innermost sacred room of a temple where the deity is placed.

→ Gothic: A style from medieval Europe, marked by tall pointed arches, stained glass windows, and ornate decoration.

→ Great Bath: A large water tank found at Mohenjo-daro.

→ Grid Pattern: A layout in which streets intersect at right angles to form blocks.

→ Indo-Saracenic Style: A mix of Indian, Islamic, and European architectural styles.

→ Indus Valley Civilisation: One of the earliest civilisations known for planned cities.

→ Inlay Work: Decorative work using stones set into surfaces.

→ Jama Masjid: A large and famous mosque.

→ Kailasha Temple: A temple carved from a single rock.

→ Kandariya Mahadeva Temple: A Nagara-style temple.

→ Latticework: A decorative pattern of criss-crossed openings that allows air and light to pass through while adding beauty to the structure.

→ Mandapa: A hall where devotees gather in a temple.

→ Mausoleum: A building that houses one or more tombs.

→ Minaret: A tall tower attached to a mosque.

→ Moat: A water-filled ditch around a fort for protection.

→ Mosque: A place of worship for Muslims.

→ Mysore Palace: A famous royal palace.

→ Nave: The main hall of a church.

→ Palace: A grand residence for kings and rulers.

→ Pradakshina Patha: A circular path around a sacred structure for devotional walking.

→ Proportion: The proper size and relationship between parts of a structure.

→ Rani ki Vav: A famous and beautifully designed stepwell.

→ Reservoir: A place where water is stored and collected.

→ Rock-cut Architecture: Structures carved directly out of solid rock.

→ Sanchi Stupa: A famous ancient stupa in India.

→ Shikhara/Vimana: The tower built above the temple shrine.

→ Stained Glass: Coloured glass used in windows.

→ Stepwell: A well with steps leading down to the water.

→ Structure: Any building or construction made by people.

→ Stupa: A dome-shaped Buddhist monument built to honour the Buddha or preserve sacred relics.

→ Symmetry: Balanced and equal design on both sides.

→ Taj Mahal: A famous mausoleum built in white marble.

→ Temple: A place of worship for Hindus.

→ Torana: A decorated gateway at the entrance of a stupa.

→ Urban Planning: Designing and organising cities in a systematic way.

→ Verandah: An open corridor or porch around a building.

→ Victoria Memorial: A famous colonial building.

→ Watchtower: A tower used to observe enemies.

→ Water Management: The system of storing and using water properly.

Introduction

• Architecture is the art and science of designing and constructing buildings that are useful, strong and beautiful.
• It blends art and technical skills.
• Indian architecture has developed over thousands of years and shows great diversity.
• Different regions have developed different architectural styles.
• There are hundreds of architectural marvels in India, dating from 3rd century BCE to the present day.

The Beginnings…

• The earliest examples of Indian architecture are found in the Indus Valley Civilisation.
• The Harappans pioneered organised town planning, with well-planned cities, efficient drainage, uniform layouts, civic planning and water management.
• Abundant clay in the alluvial plains led most Harappan cities to be built with bricks.
• Mohenjo-daro was one of the largest cities of the Indus Valley Civilisation.
• The city had wide roads and smaller lanes arranged in a systematic pattern.
• Houses had bathrooms and proper water outlets connected to an efficient drainage network.
• Some large houses were multi-storeyed, with servants likely living downstairs and owners upstairs to avoid the dust and noise from the streets.
• Buildings were constructed using baked bricks, which were strong and durable.
• Dholavira in the Rann of Kachchh was another important city of the Indus Valley Civilisation.
• The city used stone for construction instead of baked bricks as it was easily available locally.
• Its highest and most strongly protected area was known as the ‘Castle’.
• A guard room at the entrance was used to check people entering or leaving the city.

Structural Stupa Architecture

• As Buddhism became more widespread from the 4th or 3rd century BCE, stupa architecture took shape in north India and gradually expanded elsewhere.
• A stupa is a dome-shaped structure built to preserve the relics of the Buddha or respected monks.
• Thousands of stupas were constructed using bricks or stone.
• Larger stupas became important places of worship with gateways, railings, and carvings of the Buddha’s life.
• Initially, the Buddha was shown through symbols such as footprints, the wheel of dharma, and the stupa instead of in human form.
• The Sanchi Stupa, built under Ashoka’s patronage, marks the earliest phase of monumental religious stone architecture in India.
• The toranas are beautifully carved gateways showing scenes of urban and village life.
• Devotees entered through the toranas and walked around the stupa inside the enclosing railings (vedika).
• In Madhya Pradesh, the Bharhut Stupa had richly carved stone railings, while inscriptions recorded the names of its donors.
• Stupas are also found in Jainism and later spread across India and beyond in different shapes and sizes.

Rock-Cut Architecture

• Rock-cut architecture refers to structures carved directly out of solid rock.
• It became a strong and lasting way to build places for religious communities.
• These structures were mainly carved for worship, community gatherings, or residence.
• Many rock-cut complexes were expanded over centuries to meet changing religious needs and receive support from different patrons.
• The Udayagiri and Khandagiri caves near Bhubaneswar in Odisha are among the earliest rock-cut structures in India.
• Their excavation began in the 2nd Century BCE under royal patronage.
• These caves were mainly used by Jain monks.
• One of the caves contains the famous inscription of Kharavela.
• Ajanta and Ellora in Maharashtra are renowned for their impressive scale, advanced carved techniques and fine craftsmanship.
• Ellora Caves include caves of Buddhism, Hinduism and Jainism.
• The Kailasha Temple at Ellora was carved out of a single rock.
• Thousands of tonnes of rock were removed to create the Kailasha Temple and the caves at Ellora.
• Cave No. 10 at Ellora contains a large seated Buddha beside a stupa in a teaching posture.
• Its arched roof was designed to resemble wooden beams used in ancient buildings.
• Monks walked around the stupa through the aisle outside the pillars.
• Pradakshina is the practice of walking around a sacred structure in a clockwise direction.
• This practice is common in both temples and stupas.

Sharada Peetha Temple, Jammu And Kashmir:

• An ancient temple dedicated to Goddess Sharada, regarded as a form of Sarasvati.
• It became one of India’s most respected centres for education and learning.
• Many scholars from different regions visited this temple between the 6th and 12th centuries CE.
• It also played an important role in the growth of the Sharada script.
• Even though only ruins remain today, it is an important historical site.

Hidimba Devi Temple, Himachal Pradesh:

• A famous wooden temple located in the forests of Manali.
• It is among the oldest places of worship in the Kullu Valley.
• Built during the 16th century, it is dedicated to Hidimba, Bhima’s wife from the Mahabharata.
• A separate temple nearby honours their son, Ghatotkacha.

Jageshwar Group of Temples, Uttarakhand:

• Located in the Jataganga Valley of Almora district.
• Built between the 8th and 18th centuries under the Katyuri, Chand, and Gurjara-Pratihara dynasties.
• The complex includes about 124 stone temples.
• It is famous for the self-manifested (Swayambhu) Shiva Linga called Nagesh Darukavane.
• The garbha grilta houses Jageshvara Mahadeva, who is worshipped locally as Bala Jageshvara, meaning “Child Shiva”.

The Golden Temple, Punjab:

• A gurdwara is the place of worship for Sikhs.
• The Harmandir Sahib, or Golden Temple, is the holiest Sikh shrine.
• It was founded by Guru Ramdas Sahib, the fourth Sikh Guru.
  • Guru Arjan Dev, the fifth Guru, continued the construction of both the temple and its sacred pool in 1588.

Water Structures

• Water management has always been an important aspect of Indian architecture.
• India’s monsoon climate led people to develop innovative methods to store and use water efficiently.
• Water structures ranged from simple village ponds to advanced engineering works like the Grand Anicut.
• Their designs varied across regions such as the Thar Desert, the Himalayan foothills, the Western Ghats, the Gangetic Plains, the Northeast and
• the Deccan Plateau to suit local landforms, climate, and environmental conditions.
• This tradition dates back to the Harappan Civilisation.
• Harappan wells were built with trapezoid-shaped bricks that locked together, preventing them from collapsing.
• Reservoir networks were developed in many parts of India during later periods.
• At Shringverpur in Uttar Pradesh, a series of interconnected reservoirs was supplied with floodwater from the Ganga through a channel.
• The first one or two reservoirs allowed silt to settle before the water moved ahead.
• Wells were built in different sizes and shapes using bricks, stones, or terracotta rings.
• Stepwells became common in Gujarat and Rajasthan and were known for their remarkable engineering and artistic design.
• Rani ki Vav is a famous example of a beautifully designed stepwell with several pillared levels and hundreds of beautifully carved statues.
• Stepwells were not only used to collect rainwater but also served as cool community spaces for rest and conversation.
• Many temples had water reservoirs called pushkarinis attached to them.
• These reservoirs were used for storing water as well as religious rituals.
• Many pushkarinis were artistically designed with numerous stairways.
• Today, many traditional water structures face problems such as reduced water sources, poor maintenance, pollution, and waste dumping.
• Local people, environmentalists, and NGOs are helping to preserve them.

Classical Temple Architecture

• Classical temple architecture in India developed from earlier stupa and rock-cut traditions.
• Temples were centres of religion, art, learning, literature, economic activities and social life.
• Their design reflected the beauty of life and inspired devotion and inner peace. Classical temples first emerged during the Gupta period.
• Many temples were built with the support of rulers as well as contributions from devotees.
• Temple construction followed the principles of Shilpashastra, the traditional texts on architecture and sculpture.
• A temple usually consists of a ceremonial entrance, one or more mandapas (pillared halls), thegarbhagriha, and a tower called the shikhara in north India or vimana in south India.
• Most temples were aligned east-west, with the garbhagriha facing east.
• Temples were designed to represent the cosmic being (Purusha).
• Each part of the temple symbolised a part of the human body, reflecting the connection between the human body and the universe.
• Entering a temple symbolised a spiritual journey from the outer world to the inner self.
• Until the 8th or 9th century, temples were generally small in size.
• From the 10th century onwards, they became larger and included multiple shrines, amenities and enclosures.
• The Kandariya Mahadeva Temple at Khajuraho showcases the Nagara style, while Angkor Wat in Cambodia is known for its vast temple complex.
• The Brihadishvara Temple at Thanjavur, built by Rajaraja Chola I around 1010, is dedicated to Lord Shiva.
• It is famous for its large mandapas, a vimana over 60 metres high, and a massive single-stone Nandi statue.
• The Lingaraja Temple in Bhubaneswar, built in the early 11th century, is dedicated to Lord Shiva and has smaller shrines for Parvati and other deities.
• Built from sandstone and laterite, it features three large mandapas and intricate carvings.
• The Dilwara Temples at Mount Abu are five Jain temples built by the Solanki (Chaulukya) dynasty between the 11th and 13th centuries.
• Built from white marble from the Aravalli Hills, they are famous for their fine carvings of Jain tirthankaras, deities, dancers, musicians, and ornamental designs.
• The Bishnupur Temples in West Bengal were built during the 17th and 18th centuries using terracotta bricks.
• Their walls are decorated with baked clay panels showing scenes from the lives of Rama or Krishna and Radha’s everyday life.
• Many skilled professionals, including architects, engineers, craftsmen, and sculptors, worked together to build classical temples.
• Their planning involved advanced mathematical knowledge, especially geometry.

The Architecture of Mosques

• Mosque architecture in India developed with the arrival of Islam.
• Mosques are places of worship where people who follow Islam faith gather to offer prayers.
• Apart from worship, mosques provide a space for meetings, religious talks and learning.
• Mosques are built with a special prayer hall that faces Mecca in Saudi Arabia, the holiest place in Islam.
• Larger mosques usually have one or more domes and minarets from where the muezzin calls people to prayer.
• Large mosques used for Friday prayers are known as Jama Masjids.
• Sultan Ahmed Shah I built the Jama Masjid at Ahmedabad during the 15th century.
• Built of yellow sandstone, it combines Hindu and Islamic architectural styles.
• Its front has elegant arches and the bases of two minarets, whose upper parts were destroyed in earthquakes.
• Stone jalis, temple-style pillars without decorations, and fine carvings show the work of local Hindu and Jain artisans, masons, and stone carvers.
• This blend of Indian craftsmanship and Islamic building traditions is called Indo-Islamic architecture.
• Its common features include domes, pointed and corbelled arches, jalis, and floral designs.
• In Rajasthan, jharokhas and chhatris were also added to this style.
• The Jama Masjid in Delhi is the largest mosque in India.
• After shifting his capital from Agra to Shahjahanabad, Shah Jahan built this mosque in the mid-17th century.
• He planned it as a grand mosque where the city’s Muslims could gather for prayers.
• Around 5,000 workers took part in its construction.
• Built of red sandstone with white marble decoration, it has three entrances, three domes, and two 40-metre- high minarets.
• Its large courtyard can accommodate about 25,000 people.
• The walls and arches are decorated with beautiful calligraphy of verses from the Qur’an.

Forts and Palaces

• Forts were built to protect kingdoms from enemies.
• They were usually built along important land or sea routes and often on hilltops for a better view of the surrounding area.
• Besides defence, forts also housed rulers, soldiers, and sometimes even entire cities.
• Some forts also contained royal palaces.
• Mehrangarh Fort was constructed in the mid-15 th century, overlooking the city of Jodhpur. Land was expanded by Rajput rulers over the next two centuries.
• It was built from locally available red sandstone.
• The fort has a large palace with separate sections for the royal family, staff quarters, stables and military barracks.
• Today, much of the fort has been turned into a museum showcasing the heritage of Rajasthan.
• The Red Fort at Agra was originally built of brick, was rebuilt by Akbar after it ruined and he decided to make Agra his capital.
• It included palaces, gardens, living quarters, audience halls, and accommodation for servants.
• The fort gets its name from the red sandstone brought from Dholpur in Rajasthan.
• Shah Jahan later replaced many sandstone buildings, especially the palaces, with marble structures.
• Shah Jahan later imprisoned there by his son Aurangzeb until his death.
• Shah Jahan also built three mosques inside the fort complex.
• Many buildings in the fort were destroyed by the British East India Company in the 19th century.
• The Bundela Rajput kings built the Orchha Fort-Palace Complex in Madhya Pradesh on the banks of the Betwa River in the mid-16th century.
• It includes Raja Mahal, Jahangir Mahal and Rai Praveen Mahal.
• Built in honour of Emperor Jahangir’s visit, Jahangir Mahal showcases both Rajput and Mughal architectural styles.
• The complex features riverside chhatris, stone carvings, courtyards, ornate chambers, and is linked to the Ram Raja Temple.
• Mysuru Palace (Amba Vilas Palace) showcases Indo-Saracenic architecture.
• It is the Wadiyar dynasty’s residence and a symbol of Mysuru’s royal past.
• The present palace was built in the early 20th century after a fire destroyed the earlier wooden palace.
• It is known for its stained-glass windows, painted ceilings, carved wooden doors, and the golden throne displayed during the Dasara festival.
• The palace is lit with nearly 100,000 lights on Sunday evenings and during festivals.

Agra Fort’s Water System:

• Agra Fort had numerous fountains throughout the complex.
• Water was brought from the Yamuna River using Persian wheels and stored in overhead tanks on the fort walls.
• From these tanks, terracotta pipes carried water to the fountains.
• The fountains helped cool the surroundings by working like natural, eco-friendly air conditioners.

Jaswant Thada: A Royal Memorial

• Jaswant Thada is a memorial built in honour of Maharaja Jaswant Singh II.
• It was built by his son, Maharaja Sardar Singh.
• It became the cremation site of Jodhpurs royal family.
• Memorials built to honour historical figures are called cenotaphs.
• A cenotaph is different from a tomb because the person’s remains are not buried there.

Jodhpur: The Blue City

• Jodhpur is famous for its traditional blue houses near the fort.
• The blue colour comes from a mixture of copper sulphate and lime applied to the walls.
• This coating is believed to protect houses from termites.
• The city’s winding streets, open courtyards, jali windows, thick walls, and balconies help keep homes cool.

Tombs and Mausoleums

• Tombs and mausoleums were built in memory of rulers and important people.
• Mausoleums are grand buildings that contain one or more tombs.
• They also reflected the power and prestige of a ruler or dynasty.
• In Hinduism, Buddhism, and Jainism, the dead are cremated. So, ancient India has no tombs of rulers from these faiths.
• During the medieval period, cenotaphs were built, especially in Rajasthan and central India, to mark the cremation sites of kings and their family members.
• These monuments followed symmetrical designs, including their surrounding gardens.
• Floral designs, arches, jali work, and Qur’anic calligraphy were common features of these monuments.
• Humayun’s Tomb was built by Humayun’s chief wife, Bega Begum in Delhi in 1558. It was designed by Persian architects.
• The complex also houses the tombs of several Mughals, including Dara Shikoh.
• Taj Mahal is a mausoleum built by Shah Jahan in the mid-17th century in memory of his wife Mumtaz Mahal. Built entirely of white marble, it brings together Persian, Arabic and Indian architectural styles.
• Its charbagh gardens, large arches, Qur’anic calligraphy, geometric patterns, chhatris, lotus designs, and marble screens highlight this blend.
• Colourful semi-precious stones were set into the marble to create delicate floral patterns.
• The white marble appears to change colour as the sunlight changes throughout the day.

Six-Pointed Star On Humayun’s Tomb:

• The six-pointed star is a geometric symbol found in several religions.
• In Judaism, it is called the Star of David, named after King David.
• In Islam, it is known as the Seal of Solomon, referring to Prophet Solomon (Sulayman), who is regarded as a wise king and prophet.
  In Hinduism, it is a tantric symbol representing the union of purusha (consciousness) and prakriti/shakti (nature or energy).
• It symbolises the harmony between spirit and matter.

Taj Mahal:

• In the 1970s, air pollution began affecting the Taj Mahal.
• Smoke from nearby industries using coal and other fossil fuels caused the white marble to develop a yellowish tinge.
• In the mid-1990s, a Supreme Court PIL led to restrictions on industrial pollution around the Taj Mahal.

Traditional Houses

• Houses in India vary according to geography and climate.
• Traditional houses often have distinct regional features.
• A common design (especially for rich families) includes a central courtyard.
• Rooms are built around the courtyard, sometimes over multiple storeys.
• This design has been used since Harappan times (about 4,500 years ago).
• Havelis (Shekhawati, Rajasthan) were traditional mansions with a central courtyard.
• They were known for elaborate decorations and painted frescoes.
• They belonged to nobles and rich merchants.
• Many are now converted into hotels or museums.
• Maintenance is difficult, and they are often too large for modern families.
• Chettinadu Houses (Tamil Nadu) were built by merchant communities involved in the trade of rice, gems, and spices with Southeast Asia.
• Construction materials came from different parts of the world (e.g., teakwood from Burma, marble from Italy).
• Feature fine craftsmanship, woodwork, and artistic elements.
• Like havelis, many houses are large and palace-like.
• Designed to suit the local climate and environment.
• Central courtyards were used for family rituals and community gatherings.
• They help in cooling and ventilation of the house.
• They are useful for daily activities like drying papads and chillies.

Churches in India

• Christian communities have lived in India for many centuries.
• First churches were built in Kerala.
• Over time, different styles of churches were built.
• They combine European styles with Indian architectural traditions.
• The St. Philomena’s Cathedral in Mysuru was built in the Gothic style.
• The St. Thomas Orthodox church at Mulanthuruthy near Kochi in Kerala has a stambha in front of it, a feature borrowed from temple architecture.
• The Kalloopara Church in Travancore was rebuilt in the 18th century with a sloped tiled roof typical of Kerala architecture and traditional wooden roof with oil lamps.

Colonial Architecture

• Indo-Saracenic architecture is a colonial-style architecture developed under European rule.
• Indo-Saracenic style combines Hindu, Islamic, and Gothic elements.
• It features domes, pointed arches, minarets, and intricate decorative patterns inspired by Mughal and Rajput traditions.
• The Madras High Court, completed in 1892, is a well-known example of this style.
• Built with red sandstone, it combines Islamic architectural features with Hindu temple-style pillars and carvings.
• The Victoria Memorial is another prominent example of Indo-Saracenic architecture.