Indian Architecture

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Indian architecture has a long rich history, dating back thousands of years. It encompasses the building traditions of the Indian subcontinent-which includes what are now India, Pakistan, and Bangladesh. The earliest Indian buildings were made of wood and then brick. Few examples of such ancient structures, especially those of wood, have survived the severity of the Indian climate. By about the 6th century BC, stone architecture was being created on the subcontinent. Indian architects soon became highly skilled in the carving and construction of stone buildings. By the 7th century AD, the use of stone had become popular for important buildings of great size. Numerous stone temples from the medieval period still stand in India. Sculpture seems to have been the favored form of artistic expression, and Indian architecture and sculpture have had a close relationship. Rock- cut, or cave, architecture-temples or other buildings carved into cliffs-is often little more than sculpture on a colossal scale. Free-standing stone buildings are also profusely adorned with sculpture. The sculpture is often inseparable from the architecture. Most surviving examples of Indian architecture before about the AD 1200s are religious structures. Masterpieces of Traditional Indian Architecture takes the reader through the centuries and gives a rich insight into India's heritage and architecture. For years the preserve of scholars, this is a presentation of myriad forms, schools and styles of architecture in an informative yet reader-friendly manner focusing on aspects of Indian aesthetics, principles of engineering, history and the philosophic idea that impart to Indian architecture is grandeur and majesty.

Chirag Bhamra is a visiting scholar and expert in the field of Asian Architecture. Bhamra's expertise in Indian Architecture stems from his educational background and professional experience. He holds a master's degree in Architecture, specializing in the study of historical Indian architectural styles. As an author, Bhamra has written extensively on Indian Architecture, offering profound insights into the intricacies and beauty of the country's architectural marvels. His research explores diverse architectural styles, including temple architecture, Rajput architecture, Muslim architecture, and the impact of British architecture in India. Bhamra actively participates in academic conferences, seminars, and workshops related to Indian Architecture. He shares his knowledge and expertise with fellow scholars, architects, and enthusiasts, fostering discussions and collaborations to further the understanding and preservation of India's architectural heritage.

Chaaya Mandal is an architectural historian who specializes in the study of Indian architecture. She received her PhD in architectural history from the University of Pennsylvania. She has written extensively on topics such as the evolution of Hindu temple architecture, the Mughal architectural style, and the impact of colonialism on Indian architecture. Her work has been praised for its scholarship, its insights, and its ability to bring Indian architecture to a wider audience. Mandal's research has been published in leading academic journals, such as The Journal of Architectural History, The Indian Economic and Social History Review, and The Journal of Asian Studies. She is a frequent contributor to policy journals and op-ed platforms. She is also a member of the editorial board of the Journal of Architectural History.

Architecture is perhaps India's greatest artistic glory. Indian architecture has a long rich history, dating back thousands of years. It encompasses the building traditions of the Indian subcontinent- which includes what are now India, Pakistan, and Bangladesh. The earliest Indian buildings were made of wood and then brick. Few examples of such ancient structures, especially those of wood, have survived the severity of the Indian climate. By about the 6th century BC, stone architecture was being created on the subcontinent. Indian architects soon became highly skilled in the carving and construction of stone buildings. By the 7th century AD, the use of stone had become popular for important buildings of great size. Numerous stone temples from the medieval period still stand in India. Sculpture seems to have been the favored form of artistic expression, and Indian architecture and sculpture have had a close relationship. Rock-cut, or cave, architecture-temples or other buildings carved into cliffs-is often little more than sculpture on a colossal scale. Free- standing stone buildings are also profusely adorned with sculpture. The sculpture is often inseparable from the architecture. Most surviving examples of Indian architecture before about the AD 1200s are religious structures. They consist mainly of Buddhist shrines, or stupas, and of Buddhist, Hindu, and Jain temples. The residences of monks give some idea of how nonreligious architecture must have appeared. However, surprisingly few examples of palaces and ordinary houses of the time have been found. The earliest urban culture on the Indian subcontinent was that of the Indus valley civilization, which existed from about 2500 BC to about 1700 BC. It had thriving cities and towns, mainly in the Indus River valley of what is now Pakistan but also in what are now Gujarat, Rajasthan, and other parts of India. From ruins uncovered by archaeologists, it is clear that the Indus valley civilization had a flourishing urban architecture. Its major cities-notably Mohenjo-daro, Harappa, and Kalibangan-were laid out in a grid pattern. Considering the power and large territory of the Mauryan empire, which lasted from about 321 to 185 Bc, its architectural remains are remarkably few.

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