The UPSC IAS Prelims Examination includes a section on ancient Indian architecture. Beautiful architecture, sculpture, and temple construction can be found in ancient Indian architecture. The architecture and sculptures reflect the Indus Valley Civilization, the rise of Buddhism, Jainism, and Hinduism, the Delhi Sultanate, the Mughal Empire, and India’s colonial history. Each of these eras in Indian history has contributed to the current variety of Indian architecture and sculpture.
Let’s take a look at some of the most important Ancient Indian architecture including Mughal, Sikh, Cave and Mahabalipuram Architecture from which questions can be asked under Ancient history and Art & Culture.
Mughal architecture
Mughal architecture is a distinct Indo-Islamic architectural style that emerged in Northern and Central India between the 16th and 18th centuries under the patronage of Mughal monarchs. It’s a gorgeous symmetrical and decorative Persian, Turkish, and Indian architectural style.
Some of the most memorable Mughal architecture was developed during Akbar the Great’s (1556-1605) reign and under Shah Jahan’s vision (1628-1658). Akbar the Great constructed numerous palaces, mosques, gardens, and mausoleums. His building is remarkable for its large-scale use of sandstone, as well as massive enclosed courtyards and dangerously shallow prayer chambers. The erection of his father Humayun’s tomb in Delhi was one of Akbar’s most notable accomplishments.
Humayun’s Tomb, constructed by a Persian architect and commissioned by Humayun’s wife in 1562, was the first garden tomb on the Indian subcontinent and the first building to use red sandstone on such a big scale.
Shah Jahan’s vision gave Mughal architecture a delicate beauty and refinement. The Taj Mahal is without a doubt Shah Jahan’s most well-known accomplishment. The Taj Mahal in Agra is a white marble monument built in remembrance of his third wife, Mumtaz Mahal, between 1632 and 1648. The palace, which resembles an Islamic garden of paradise and was erected by 20,000 workers, is widely regarded as the crowning achievement of Mughal architecture. The exquisite architectural marvel reflects the best of Mughal aesthetic legacy in India and is widely acknowledged as a symbol of life, drawing over 7-8 million tourists each year.
Mahabalipuram Architecture
The Dravidian architectural style originated during the reign of the Pallava dynasty. The rock-cut Group of Monuments at Mahabalipuram, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, is the pinnacle of Pallava architecture. This category contains excavated pillared halls with no outside roof other than the natural rock and monolithic shrines with the natural rock totally cut away and carved. The monuments are a blend of faith, religion, history, and mythology, built by rocks or boulders, merging nature with sculpture.
Sikh architecture
Another notable architectural style in India is Sikh architecture. Sikh architecture is a world-renowned architectural style known for its progressiveness, elegance, intricacy, austere simplicity, and flowing lines. As a result of its current progressive approach, it is increasingly extending into new areas of new contemporary styles.
The gurdwara is a holy building in Sikh architecture that houses the Sikh Guru. Sikh temples are huge constructions commemorating the ten Sikh Gurus or historical sites and events. Gurudwaras have entrances on all sides, showing that they are open to everyone without discrimination. This attribute exemplifies a basic principle of Sikh religion, which proclaims God to be omnipresent.
Cave Architecture
It is believed that cave building in India began in ancient times, when Buddhist and Jain monks used the structures for prayer and living. Caves excavated from large boulders evolved gradually due to their endurance over other structural materials such as wood. Ellora Caves, Ajanta Caves, Badami Caves, Karla Caves, and Elephanta Caves are among the most important caves in India.
The UNESCO World Heritage Site Ellora Caves are among the world’s largest rock-cut caves. Over 100 caves house monasteries and temples at the site. It displays Buddhist, Hindu, and Jain art and architecture dating from 600 CE to 1000 CE. The caverns in the Charanandri hills were carved out of volcanic basalt cliff rock.
