Architecturally, India has always boasted of a very rich and articulate heritage. Has it today been able to further the process in architecture to make human living a pleasant and productive experience? The article attempts to answer this complex question. Along with Hinduism, the significant faiths to influence Indian architecture were Islam, Christianity, Buddhism and Jainism. The Mughals, Portuguese, French, Greek, British (isn't it a large number)-have all enjoyed Indian hospitality, and in turn left behind glimpses of their art and tradition, often portrayed in combination with Indian styles.

India - Ancient and Medieval Architecture

Architectural of any country or regions is governed by a number of factors. It dwells on the level of mind evolution of the professional and the society it serves, climate, lifestyle, material availability, technology, social norms, location, budget, to name a few influencing guidelines. The earlier phase in architecture saw construction being done as per the monarch's social sensibility. There was little done for the common man, but he devised his own construction methodology and planning criteria to combat climate, and character to his dwellings and utilize local material to satiate his desires for pleasant living. The mansions of Jaisalmer, Jodhpur and such other towns exemplify this.

The crafted ornamentation on facades goes way back to Hindu temples of Orissa. Buddhist architecture too relied heavily on molding form and material as is evident in the Great Stupa, Sanchi (last 1st century). Jain inclinations to express their beliefs on chiseled wall surfaces are abundantly available in the monasteries at Khandagiri and Udaigiri Hills at Orissa.

Fatehpur Sikri is a fine example to understand the blend of Islamic and Hindu architecture. The Gol Gumbad at Bijapur, Jama Masjid at Delhi and the Agra Fort are some fine creations embodying the Islamic architecture of grace, detailing, ornamentation, and excellence in craftsmanship. The Mughal fondness for planned landscape and geometric configurations in design have inspired many contemporary projects.

India - Colonial Architecture

The colonial period in India personifies a total system in planning and design of buildings, exploiting scale and proportion. The urban design exercises carried out by the British in the cities they inhabited, gave Indian architecture a comprehensive approach to work on the future stages. Their bungalows are still a model for many a contemporary architect.



India - Contemporary Architecture

In the post independent era, it was Jawahar Lal Nehru who gave a thrust to industrialization for the modern India. Mahatma Gandhi's luminescent and earthy approach set the foundations to development of rural habitat. With Western concepts and limited technology, scarce funds and infrastructure, buildings devoid of aesthetics and functional design got constructed, giving rise to monotonous and lifeless structure.

Contemporary Indian architecture's strength lies in the delicate attuning to the inherent traditional spirit. With all the progress envisaged for the 21st century, Indian architecture then, would still fuel itself from truth close to man.

Reforms, liberalization, greater exposure through the media, advent of the multinationals have all no doubt given an impetus to the Indian to inculcate that much desired professional attitude. One can pen down a whole book on where all we lack. But in this year of the jubilee celebrations, let us attempt to develop a positive frame of mind to consciously strive to move ahead as nationalists. Am I being too much of an optimist?