Indian Subcontinent
Afghanistan
Pakistan
India
Nepal
Bhutan
Bangladesh
Sri Lanka
Indian Architecture
- It is a peninsula.
Objectives:
1. To examine the geographical, geological, climatic, religious, and social
factors and how it influenced the Indian Architecture.
The Influences:
A. Geographical
- 15x greater than Great Britain. They are near the oceans and mabundok siya.
Hindi rin sila masyadong naiimpluwensiyahan ng mga kalapit na bansa dahil
napapaligiran sila ng mga kabundukan. Sa taas ng India yung North
Himalayas.
- Napaka yaman nila sa yamang tubig—Bay of Bengal and Arabian Sea. Ito
yung naging major source of income nila noon.
- Sa India nagumpisa yung mga “Rock- Cut temples”.
- Rock- cut temples on the western are attributed by some of the influence of
Egypt, Persia, and Assyria, as they contain capitals and columns of similar
designs.
(Western Side ng country—mas mababaw yung mga bundok)
a. Ganges- Jumna Valley- Contains some of the principal cities of
architectural importance.
b. Ancient Delhi- “The Rome of India”, have a collection of ruins of
different cities.
(Eastern Side ng country)
c. Greek Bactrian Kingdom in the NW had considerable classical
influence on the architecture.
B. Geological (Materials)
- India is very rich with marbles and other rocks.
a. Pink Marble
b. Deccan Trap Basaltic Rock
c. Sandstone
d. Granite
- Rock- cut “Chaityas” (Ginagawa nilang shelter yung mga bato sa
pamamagitan ng pag- uukit)
- Monolithic Rock- cut free- standing temple “Raths”
e. Fired clay- material nila.
- Rich din sila sa mga puno’t halaman especially the hard woods.
f. Teak Trees- TEAK is the principal wood of India. May mga Indians
na sumasamba sa Teak Trees. Madalas gamitin sa mga Indian doors.
(Eg. Old Ancient Door of Rajasthan)
g. Ebony
h. Palms
i. Bamboo
j. Bricks- Was used to some extent, bit the alluvial soil does not afford
good material for brick- making. Since marami silang clay dahil
malapit sila sa mga tubig, (Oldest brick temple is “Rasmancha”)
k. Lime- Red lime (Kankar)
C.Climatic
- India lies mostly within the tropics
- Two principal seasons—wet and dry.
- Flat terraced roofs—used for coolness, exercise, or sleeping, predominate.
- Mas matagal sa kanila ang summer kaya mainit and maalinsangan, (Maliit
lang ang bintana dahil baka mas pumasok naman yung alinsangan ng hangin
kaya hindi nila nilalakihan)
- PUNKAH—the great fan, used in the hot season, influenced the size and
form of their architectural openings.
- Jali/ Jaali- pierced screen or lattice window in Indian and all eastern art; is a
decorative feature due to persistent sunshine, and acting as a fine
architectural screen against excessive light and heat. It is used to limit
excessive light and heat.
- Canals, reservoirs, and tanks—in connection with temple and palaces—use
for irrigation and provision for dry season. Minsan lang sa kanila umulan
kaya gumawa sila ng mga canals and reservoirs and tanks para ipunin and i-
maximize yung rainwater. (Ito ay usually sa mga lugar na matataas na
walang masyadong source of water)
a. Jhalara
b. Talab/ Bandhi
c. Ahar Pynes
d. Panam Keni
e. Taanka- yung ancient water tank nila
D. Religious
- Known for their vast types of religion
- Like:
a. Early Vedic- Vedic Gods ay sina Indra ‘Primary Warrior God”, Agni
“Fire, key to rituals”, and Surya “The sun, one of several elemental
Gods”
b. Buddhist
c. Jaina
d. Hindu.
- Early Vedic (1750 BC)
o An influx of nomadic shepherds from central Asia called Aryans—
brought bronze tools, weapons, horses, and chariots.
o Create a rich culture from which sprang “Sanskrit” (language of
Ancient India na galing sa mga Aryans) metaphysical philosophy,
epic poetry, and most importantly the sacred writings called “Vedas”.
o Sanskrit- Language of Ancient India galling sa mga Aryans.
o Vedas- large body of religious text originating from Ancient Asia. Ito
yung parang bible nila.
o The vast majority of architecture constructed through history has been
built for religious purposes, and this case the monumental and durable
temples, and shrines are all that remain from this broad time period;
no secular architecture at all has survived.
- Buddhist
o Buddha- the “Enlightened”
o Sakya muni (BC 623- 543) founder of Buddhism.
o Asoka (BC 272- 236) Indian Emperor of Maurya Empire; adopted and
made buddhism the state religion.
o In buddhism, their buildings are made for the monks and not for the
Gods. (Eg. Monasteries or memorial shrines)
o Trees and serpent worship. Still prevails, and is responsible for many
decorative emblems.
- Jaina (1000 AD)
o Have been founded on buddhism
o A statue of one of 24 Jinas or saints is placed in each temple.
o Extraordinary number of image cells in one building.
- Hindu (750 AD)
o Generally known as Brahmanical
o Joint product of Vedic, Brahmanism, and Buddhism
o Divided all classes of community into: (Social Classes)
Brahman (Priest)
Khatriyas (soldiers)
Vaishyas (Merchants/ businessman)
Shudras (Untouchables, laborers, etc.)
o The Brahmanical idea on the transmigration of souls did not
encourage tomb buildings.
o They believe na yung mga kaluluwa ay nalilipat lang sa ibang
katawan kapag namatay, so they don’t see the need na magpatayo ng
maraming mga magagandang libingan and other structures
(monasteries)
o Monasteries being replaced by hypostyle halls.
E. Social and political (yung mga tao and namumuno)
- The people of India have never become amalgamated (united),
- The people of India consist of:
a. Non- Aryan tribes or Aborigines (Native)
b. The Aryan or Sanskrit- speaking race (Brahmans and Rajputs)
c. Hindus- Mixed population
d. Mahometans
- The tenure of land by feudal princes or lords was and important factors
- Architecture is silent from the expiring years of Buddhism (750 AD), to the
commencement of the eleventh century.
- The absorption of human personality under the caste system was not
favorable to domestic architecture which has remained in rudimentary state.
- May mga mayayaman noon na nagtatayo lang ng temples for business
purposes.
F. Historical
- Malaking factor syempre yung nanakop.
- Nasakop ni Alexander the great.
- Alexanders’ conquest in NW India that brought the country in touch with
European and Western Asiatic Art
- Thus, Greek, Assyrian, and Persian influences are apparent on the
architectural detail in the region.
- The mohemetan invasion in the 13th century led Saracenic features being
adopted and producing an Indian version of that style.
- During 1746- 1858, the foundation of British rule in India was progressing,
and from the latter year the annexation to the British crown, effected by
Royal proclamation, has caused the intermingling of Europe and native art.
INDIAN STYLES
Buddhist style (250 BC- 750 AD)
Jaina Style (1000- 1300 AD) (May mga babae yung design)
Hindu or Brahman Style (Matataas na infrastructures)
o Northern Hindu (600 AD)
