Indian Architecture Quiz

Introduction to Asian Architecture

• The course covers Asian architecture across South, Southeast, and East Asia.
• There's an activity to research Buddhism, Hinduism, and Islam.

South Asia

• A map of South Asia is presented, highlighting regions of interest.
• The key commercial city of Pakistan is Karachi. Excavations at Mohenjo-Daro and Harappa show connections to the ancient Mesopotamian culture.

Indian Architecture

• Indian architecture is influenced by history, culture, and religion.
• It's known for Hindu temple architecture and Indo-Islamic styles.
• Structures sometimes share the same site, featuring rhythmic stratification and profuse carved ornamentation.
• Characterized by Hindu and Buddhist monuments.
• The chief commercial cities of Pakistan are Karachi.

Indus Valley Civilization

• The Indus Valley Civilization was sustained by surplus agricultural production and commerce.
• Trade with Sumer in southern Mesopotamia is evident.
• Mohenjo-Daro and Harappa are characterized by differentiated living quarters, flat-roofed brick houses, and fortified administrative or religious centers.
• Similarities in urban layout and planning are due to the presence of a semi-orthogonal type of civic layout.

Mohenjo-Daro

• Mohenjo-Daro, meaning "Mound of the Dead Men," is located in Sindh, Pakistan
• It was one of the largest settlements in the ancient Indus Valley civilization.
• Wells were discovered throughout the city. Bathing areas and drainage were common.
• It suggests an ideology emphasizing cleanliness.

Harappa

• Harappa, found in Punjab, Pakistan.
• Contains Bronze Age ruins of a fortified city.
• Part of the Indus Valley Civilization.
• The city had an estimated 23,500 residents.
• Its greatest extent was during the Mature Harappan phase.

Maurya Dynasty

• The Maurya Dynasty united northern India.
• Their architecture shows Persian cultural influence, introducing dressed stone that was worked to shape and smoothed on the face.

Gupta Dynasty

• The Gupta Dynasty (320-540 CE) was a period of classical Indian art and literature.
• The first architects of purpose-built Hindu (and Buddhist) temples are from this period. These temples evolved from earlier rock-cut shrines.
• The Gupta period is considered a Golden Age of India, marked by advancements in science, political administration, architecture, sculpture, and painting.

Pallava Dynasty

• The Pallava Dynasty (275-897 CE) established a Hindu state in southern India.
• Their architecture expanded Indian culture into Southeast Asia.
• Dravidian architecture, named after the regional language, was prominent during the Pallava period.
• This period saw magnificent sculptures and temples.
• An example of Dravidian architecture is the Shore Temple.

Shore Temple

• Constructed with granite blocks.
• The original purpose was as a busy port.
• Classified as a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1984.
• One of the oldest freestanding stone temples in South India.

Buddhist Structures

• Dhamek Stupa is a Buddhist memorial mound.
• Ceyon (Sri Lanka) has dagobas.
• Tibet and Nepal have chorten as dome-shaped mounds on platforms.
• These are crowned by a chattri, surrounded by an ambulatory (stone vedika), and often feature toranas.
• The Mahanstupa at Sanchi is a notable example of a stupa with a significant design.

Chaitya

• This is a Buddhist shrine or prayer hall with a stupa at one end.
• Interior: Bhaja, near Lonavla, India.

Vihara

• A monastery excavated from solid rock for Buddhist renunciates.

Hindu Temples

• Sri Ranganathaswamy Temple is a Hindu temple in South India.
• A ratha is a Hindu temple cut out of solid rock shaped like a chariot.
• A vimana is the sanctuary of a Hindu temple where the deity is enshrined.

Mughal Architecture

• It's a blend of Indo-Islamic traditions from India and Islam.
• Diwan-i-Kas and Diwan-i-Am are examples of buildings representing both private and public audiences.
• Humyun's Tomb, Fatehpur Sikri, Jamah Masjid, and the Taj Mahal are significant buildings during this time in Northern India..

Taj Mahal

• Considered one of the most renowned examples and a "Crown Palace" in Mughal architecture.
• Built by Shah Jahan as a tomb for his wife Mumtaz Mahal.
• Also called Rauza-i-Munavvara (Illumined Tomb).
• Positioned on a chahar bagh (walled garden divided by canals).
• The facade is decorated with floral motifs and pietra dura (inlay of cut, fitted, and polished colored stones).
• Multiple parts include entrances, gateways, mausoleums, guest quarters, the Yamuna River, and the tomb mosque.

Indo-Saracenic Architecture

• A combination of Indo-Islamic and European Gothic Revival and Neo-Classical.
• Often used by British architects in India during the British Raj.
• It emphasizes visual revival of previous architectural styles.

Mysore Palace

• The official residence of the Wadiyar dynasty.
• Common name for the City of Palaces.
• There are seven palaces, with the Mysore Palace located in the Old fort.

Chapeauk Palace

• The first Indo-Saracenic structure (1768).

Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Terminus

• Designed by British architectural engineer Frederick William Stevens
• Originally named Victoria Terminus.
• Renamed Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Terminus (CST) in 1996.

Municipal Corporation Building

• Commissioned by Arthur Crawford and completed in 1893.
• Located across Victoria Terminus.
• Heavily influenced by Gothic design.

St. Andrews Church, Chennai

• Designed by Major Thomas de Havilland and Col. James Caldwell.
• Inspired by Neo-Classical architecture.

Victoria Memorial

• Dedicated to Queen Victoria.
• Designed by William Emerson.
• Built with Makrana marble.
• Design echoes the Taj Mahal.

Sri Lankan Architecture

• Displays a variety of architectural forms and styles.
• Buddhism exerted a profound influence.
• Three significant time periods are Anuradhapura, Polonnaruwa, and Kandyan periods.

Sigiriya Rock

• A two-hundred-metre-tall rock fortress.
• Was the residence of King Kasyasa.
• Features impressive frescoes and an opulent lion gateway.

Kuttam Pokuna

• An ancient Sinhalese bathing pool situated in Anuradhapura.
• Channelled water through a sophisticated filtration system.

Sri Lankan architecture

• The architectural style evolved over time with influence from Buddhism.

Polonnaruwa

• Declared the capital city by King Vijayabahu I.
• King Parakramabahu I (1153-1186) undertook extensive architectural projects such as the Royal Palace and the Lanthika Temple.

Lanthika Temple

• Built by King Parakramabahu.

Gal Vihara (Rock Temple)

• Rock temple of the Buddha in Polonnaruwa, considered a prime example of ancient Sinhala sculpting and carving.

Vatadage

• Built during the reign of King Parakramabahu I to hold the relic of the tooth of the Buddha.

Lovamahapaya (Brazen Palace)

• Built by King Dutugamunu.

Thuparama Dagoba

• Constructed by Devanampiya Tissa, enshrining the Buddha's collarbone.

Abhayagiri Dagoba

• The name means "Hill of Protection", with a golden bull statue buried within.
• The Saddharma Rathnawaliya records a golden bull statue containing relics of the Buddha in the core of the stupa.

Ruwanwelisaya Dagoba

• The Golden Sand Stupa (an architectural marvel) was sacred to numerous Buddhists.

Ambasthale Dagoba

• The main ceremonial stairway leads to this stupa.
• Built over the spot where Mahinda (a Buddhist monk) converted Devanampiya Tissa (the King) to Buddhism.

Pillars

• Defined by their square or octagonal section, their capitals, and often connected shaft and capital.

Yapahuwa Rock Fortress

• An ephemeral capital city, located in Polonnaruwa.
• Midway between Kurunagala and Anuradhapura.
• Built around a huge granite rock.
• Features a huge sculpture of a lion.

Kandyan Period

• Division of the country into several kingdoms.
• Capital: Kandy.
• Portuguese, and Dutch introduced Renaissance and Baroque styles.
• British style influences, Colonial Georgian.
• Limited Moslem seafaring merchant influence on architecture..

Kandyan Architecture

• Includes wooden architecture, high pitched roofs, and terracotta tiles.
• Extensive use of decorative craftwork (ancient motifs as integral building elements).
• Famous for the Temple of the Sacred Tooth Relic (located in the royal palace complex of Kandy). The Paththirippuwa is a notable main structure.
• Temple of the Sacred Tooth Relic features roof paintings.

The Great Driguing Kagyud Lotus Stupa

• Stupa, constructed by the German Tara Foundation.
• Contains a hollow crown (partly covered in glass), revealing a small Buddha within.
• Domed prayer room ceiling is covered in Buddhist murals.

Swayambhunath Stupa

• An ancient religious architecture atop a hill in the Kathmandu Valley.
• Tibetan name for the site means "Sublime Trees.”

Boudhanath Stupa

• One of the largest spherical stupas in Nepal.
• Decorated with large amounts of gold.
• Took almost 7 years to build the stupa.

Pasupatinath Temple

• Hindu temple located along the Bagmati River.
• Constructed by Lichhavi King Shupuspa.
• Beautifully carved wooden rafters (tundal) support the temple.

Maju Dega

• Constructed during the reign of King Siddhinarasimha and Srinivasa Sukriti.
• Part of the Patan complex of buildings, significant for its stone carvings.

Krishna Temple and Maju Dega

• A combined image of these two, perhaps indicating a combined architectural style.

Tibetan Architecture

• Heavily influenced by Chinese and Indian styles.
• Uniquely adapted to the cold, arid, high-altitude climate of Tibetan plateaus.
• Displays wide variation in forms and building types.

Tibetan Monasteries

• Monasteries in Tibet were often significant building projects.
• Destroyed during Chinese invasion and Cultural Revolution.
• Some monasteries and nunneries are being rebuilt.

Tibetan Residential Architecture

• Houses and buildings might have variable numbers of stories, influenced by material availability.
• Walls often have inward slopes to create an illusion of height.
• Windows are typically small, and roofs vary by geographical location.

Types of Tibetan Architecture

• Includes temples, stupas (chorten), palaces, and common house types.

Potala Palace

• Lhasa, Tibet
• Designed as a World Heritage Site in 1994 and was added to it's designated area in 2001
• 117 meters high, 360 meters wide
• Built in the 7th century and further developed in the 17th to become a palace.
• Served as a home to Dalai Lamas from the 17th- mid-20th centuries.

Norbulingka

• Unique examples of Tibetan palace architecture.
• Gardens are considered some of the finest in Tibet.

Jokhang Palace

• Lhasa, Tibet
• Built during multiple centuries (e.g. dating 652 CE).
• Influenced by Indian and Nepali style, along with Tibetan features.

Gompas

• Monasteries in Tibet.
• Wide variety of styles reflecting local architecture traditions.

Samye Monastery

• Full name is Samye, also called Mighur, Lundrub Tsula Khang.
• First gompa constructed in Tibet between 775-779 CE under King Trison Detsen.
• Based on design of Odantpouri.

Bhavacakra

• "Wheel of Life".
• Depicted at the entrance of most Tibetan Buddhist monasteries.

Tibetan Chortens

• Enshrining relics of the Buddha.
• Built by pilgrims and devotees.

Types of Tibetan Chortens

• Includes Lotus blossom, enlightenment, many doorways, great miracles, descent from Tushist Heaven, reconciliation, complete victory, and Parinirvana stupas.

Part of Tibetan Chorten

• Key elements of Tibetan Chorten architecture

Lotus Bloom Stupa

• Buddha's birth in Lumbini Garden, Kapilavastu

Enlightenment Stupa

• Buddha's attainment of Enlightenment at age 35 after meditation.

Stupa of Many Doorways

• Marks Buddha's first teachings in Deer Park at Sarnath.

Great Miracle Stupa

• Celebrates Buddha's display of 15 miracles at Shravasti.

The Stupa of the Descent from Tushist Heaven

• Commemorates Buddha's reincarnation, teachings to his mother.

Stupa of Reconciliation

• Symbolic of Buddha uniting his monastic followers after disagreement.

Stupa of Complete Victory

• Symbol of prolonging Buddha's life.

Parinirvana Stupa

• A final stupa, symbolizing Buddha's passing into Nirvana directly on a throne.

Tibetan Monasteries

• Often were destroyed during the Chinese invasion as part of the Cultural Revolution and are being rebuilt.

Tibetan Residential Architecture

• Variations exist in buildings based on materials, climate, and function.
• Types include private homes, herding houses, temples, and manor homes.