Published on march 21, 2018
India has got many wonders in the form of structures built especially in ancient times, these remained strong against all the destructive forces unlike modern structures built with latest technologies.
2. CONTENTS
✣ INTRODUCTION
✣ ORIGIN
✣ POPULAR STYLES OF ARCHITECTURE
✣ DRAVIDIAN STYLE
Sub division
Composition and Structure
Construction materials used
Techniques used
The Structural System
The Construction Technology
Structural Plan and Earthquake Resistance
Advantages of modern construction over Ancient
3. CONTENTS
✣ EXAMPLES ON DRAVIDIAN ARCHITECTURE
Brihadeshwar Temple- Chola Style
Virupaksha Temple- Hoysala Style
Sri Ranganathaswamy Temple- Pandya style
Meenakshi Temple- Nayaka Style
✣ CONCLUSION
4. INTRODUCTION
Indian Architecture is as old as the history of the civilisation. The earliest remains of
recognizable building activity in the India dates back to Indus valley cities. Among India’s
Ancient Architectural remains, the most characteristics are the Temples, chaityas, stupas and
other religious structures
Indian architecture, belonging to different periods of history, bears the stamp of respective
periods. The cities of Indus valley provided substantial evidence of extensive town planning.
It was in this period that a large number of magnificent buildings came up. Some of the
highlights are rock cut caves at Ajanta and Bruhadeshwar temple at Thanjavur.
5. ORIGIN
Architecture is not a modern phenomenon. It began as soon as the early cave man
began to build his own shelter to live in.
Architecture accommodated the local and regional cultural traditions and social
requirements, economic prosperity, religious practice of different times.
Indian Architecture evolved in various ages in different parts and regions of the
country.
Evolution of Indian architecture was generally affected by many great and important
historic developments.
External influences have also shaped the nature of Indian architecture and so has the
influence of different regions of the country.
7. Temple Style: Temple architecture in India developed in almost all the regions during
the ancient India. Ancient Indian temples are classified into three broad categories, i.e.
Nagara or the Northern style, Vesara or Mixed style, and Dravida or the Southern style.
Mughal Architecture: The Mughal architectural style is a unique blend of Islamic,
Persian and Indian styles. Starting from the 16th century until the early 18th century.
India was ruled by the Mughal’s and different rulers built some of the finest structures
in the country. Humayun’s Tomb, Akbar’s Tomb, Fatehpur Sikri, Red Fort at Delhi,
Jami Masjid Delhi and the Taj Mahal at Agra are few examples
8. Indo-Saracenic Revival Architecture: Brilliant architectural engineering movement
by the British architects. This style is a fusion of Indian architecture and Indo-Islamic
architecture. Known as Indo-Gothic, Mughal-Gothic, Hindu-Gothic and Neo-Mughal
architecture.
Dravidian Architecture: Emerged in the Southern part of the Indian subcontinent or
South India thousands of years ago. It was built by the Dravidian people, such
structures primarily consist pyramid shaped temples called Kovils. Dependent on
complex carved stone; such materials are the key to create step kind of designs
9. Kalinga Architecture: The Kalinga architecture is a style which flourished in the
ancient Kalinga region. This form of style can be seen in the eastern Indian state of
Odisha and also in northern parts of Andhra Pradesh. Rekha Deula, Khakhara Deula and
Pidha Deula.
Sikh Architecture: Gained immense popularity across the globe. architecture is
characterized by exquisite intricacy, values of progressiveness, austere beauty, and
coherent flowing lines. Sikh architecture is all about beautiful curves and straight lines
10. Vesara Architecture: Evolved in the state of Karnataka during the medieval centuries.
This style combines both the Dravida and the Nagara architectural styles. The heights of
the individual tiers are reduced without affecting their actual numbers. It contain semi-
circular structures of the Buddhist Chaityas.
Indian Vernacular Architecture: refers to the informal building of structures done by
local builders using traditional building methods. Structures are unschooled in formal
architectural design. Used locally available construction materials
11. Cave Architecture: Started in the third century BC. Structures were used by the Jain
monks and the Buddhist typically as a place of residence and worship. Examples of
this type of cave structure are Chaityas and Viharas of Buddhists. Caves in India are
linked with three religions, namely Hinduism, Buddhism, and Jainism.
Rock-Cut Architecture: Rock-cut architecture is the art of creating a structure by
carving it out of a solid natural rock. India has more than 1,500 known rock-cut
structures and many of these structures contain artworks which are of global
importance, and most are festooned with wonderful stone carvings.
13. DRAVIDIAN OR TEMPLE ARCHITECTURE
Dravidian architecture is an architectural idiom in Hindu temple architecture that
emerged in the southern part of the Indian. It consists primarily of Hindu temples
where the dominating feature is the high gopura or gatehouse. Various kingdoms and
empires such as the Cholas, the Chera, the Kakatiyas, the Pandyas, the Pallavas, the
Gangas, the Rashtrakutas, the Chalukyas, the Hoysalas, and Vijayanagara Empire
among others have made substantial contribution to the evolution of Tamizhian
architecture.
14. SUB DIVISION OF DRAVIDIAN ARCHITECTURE
Chola Architecture (900AD-1050AD): The Cholas were equally great builders and the stupendous
vimana at Tanjore built by Raja raja Chola I and by his son Rajendra Chola. A large abacus, simple
brackets, plasters between niches and makara-toranas with foliated tails fill the prospect at this stage
of the Dravida style.
Pandya Architecture (1100AD-1350AD): The Pandya temples are about as great. Those at
Srirangam, Chidambaram, Kumbakonam, and Tirumala Manai possess gigantic towers and vimanas
as large as the Chola temples. But the actual Pandya shrines are dwarfed by the walls and gates.
Hoysala Architecture(1350AD-1565AD): Developed under the rule of the Hoysala Empire
between the 11th and 14th centuries. Hoysala influence was at its peak in the 13th century.
Chennakesava Temple at Belur, the Hoysaleswara Temple at Halebidu, and the Kesava Temple at
Somanathapura are few examples.
15. Nayak Architecture (1600AD Onwards): The Nayakas of Madura established their kingdom and
became the leading builders in the land. The most important kind and builder among them was
Thirumalai Nayak. The well-known Vasanta and Padu Mandapam is front of the Minakshi temple
has flat-roofed corridor with three aisles.
Pallava Architecture: Pallava art and architecture represent an early stage of Dravidian art and
architecture. The first stone and mortar temples of South India were constructed during Pallava rule
and were based on earlier brick and timber prototypes. The Shore Temple and the Pancha Rathas of
Mahabalipuram.
16. COMPOSITION AND STRUCTURE
Garbhagriha known as inner chamber where the deity resides.
Sikhara: It is shaped as pyramidical and tapering representing the mythological Meru or the highest
mountain peak.
Pradakshina Patha refers to the ambulatory passageway for circumambulation and comprises of
enclosed corridor outside the garbhagriha.
Mandapa is the pillared hall in front of the garbhagriha, used as assembling point by devotees for
chant; rituals meditate or observe the priests perform the rituals.
Natamandira is also provided in some temples which mean the hall for dancing. In some early
temple structures, the mandapa was isolated and separate structure from the sanctuary.
Antarala refers to the intermediate chamber which joins the main sanctuary and the pillared hall of
the temple premises.
17. MATERIALS USED IN CONSTRUCTION
Rubble: In prehistoric and early historic times rubble, naturally fragmented or deliberately
chipped rock of no specific shape, was the most frequent building material.
Stones: It possesses good resistance against abrasion. It is quite strong and durable building
material.
Wood: Another building material was wood, from both coniferous and deciduous trees, especially
poplar; for supports and roof construction in the traditional architecture of India.
Mud: Frequent building material in Indian cultural areas which was available everywhere. It is
used for plastering and even as a cooling material.
18. TECHNIQUES USED
Operating on Rocks: The stones were split using wooden wedges and water to create thermal
expansion during the day and then iron tools were used to chip and form the stones into blocks.
Method of Lifting Stones through the Ramp: Always top level of Ramp will match with the
height of Temple Structure. Stones to be lifted will be shifted to the plane area near the Ramp by
using the Traditional Old technology used by Khalaasi Team.
Quarrying Granites: cut a series of pockets along the surface of the stone, and filling them with
wood, watering the woods regularly. As a result, wood swells and makes a crack along the holes.
Means of transportation: (Animals) castrated bull, dogs, elephants, horses, donkeys and other
cattle along with man power.
19. THE STRUCTURAL SYSTEMS
Trabeated System: In the trabeated system, the various arrangements between vertical elements
(pillars and pilasters) and horizontal elements (cross beams and lintels) are used to provide the
stability to the system. The roofing was done by laying horizontally the slabs of stone from one
supporting beams or walls to another.
.
Corbelling System: Each horizontal course is constructed in such a way that stone or bricks in
each layer are projected out to bridge the gap between the two walls. It was primarily used to create
interiors of the temple and stone shells of super structure above the sanctuary
20. THE CONSTRUCTION TECHNOLOGY
1. The available information of temple construction was collected from stone slabs, metal plates,
palm leaves and manuscripts.
2. It started with the selection of team headed by chief architect
3. The construction team consisted of four, Sthapati -Main architect Sutragrahin who did the
work assigned by sthapati,Taksaka who did the carving and cutting of stone, Vardhakin is the
mason.
4. The first stage was the planning of the temple, The second stage was the craving of different
parts of the temples.
5. The third and the final stage consisted of assembling of the parts of temple which consisted of
the actual construction of the temple.
6. The tools required such as hammers, chisel was locally made and sharpened regularly.
21. STRUCTURAL PLAN AND EARTHQUAKE RESISTANCE
Symmetrical forms are always preferred from earthquake resistance as asymmetrical forms
produces eccentricity between the centre of mass and centre of rigidity which results in the torsion
and tends to stress the concentration. The ground story has dual purpose as apart from carrying its
own lateral loads it also carries the shear force of the upper floors which is similar to the
downward building of vertical gravity loads.
22. DISADVANTAGES OVER MODERN CONSTRUCTION
1. much slower
2. Limited choices of materials
3. More Weight
4. Occupies more Space
5. Limited height
6. Expensive
7. No commercial usage
25. BRIHADESHWAR TEMPLE
Location: Thanjavur, Tamil nadu
Year: 1010 AD
Present Age: 1018
Built by: Raja Raja Chola I
Time taken: 5 years
Dimensions: 216 feet wide or 66 meters high
Part of UNESCO World Heritage Site as “Great Living Chola Temples”
26. Facts and Figures
Underground passages: With more than hundred underground passages, leading to various spots.
Cap stone: The top most part of the Raja Gopuram of Brihadeeswarar temple is a single stone,
weighing 80 tons.
No Shadow: Another architectural marvel of the Raja Gopuram is, the shadow of the tower does not
fall on the ground.
Granite stones: Tanjore is a fertile red soil area, where there is no trace of granite stones.
216 feet Vimana: The primary tower has a hollow shape and the stones are interlocked without any
binding material.
Mysterious Nandhi: 13 ft. tall and made out of single black granite.
The entire structure had withstood powerful earthquakes in the past.
29. VIRUPAKSHA TEMPLE
Location: , HAMPI, KARNATAKA
Year: 740 AD
Present Age: 1278
Built by: Lokamahadevi, the Queen of Vikaramaditya II
Time taken: 12 years
30. Facts and Figures
Musical pillars: It is also known for an extraordinary architectural marvel- 56 melodic
columns or the musical pillars which create melodic sounds when tapped delicately.
The inverted tower: A dark chamber with a small opening in the wall. when the sun
beams go through the opening and fall on the western wall, the inverted main tower is
visible as the shadow in the image.
The royal enclosure: This royal enclosure is spread over a range of 59,000 square
meters. This enclosure can house around 43 houses at once.
32. SRI RANGANATHASWAMY TEMPLE
Location: Tiruchirapalli, Tamil Nadu
Year: 1st century CE
Present Age: 1018
Built by: Pandya dynasty
Time taken: 5 years
Area: 631000 sqm (2nd largest temple)
33. Facts and Figures
Mandapams (Halls): There are many mandapams at Sri Ranganathaswamy Temple. One of
the finest is the Hall of 1000 pillars.
The Kottarams (Granaries): The Kottaram houses the huge Granaries which stand
testimony to a systematic food security planning.
Gopurams (Temple Towers): There are 21 huge Gopurams. The Rajagopuram is the second
tallest Temple tower in the world rising to a height of 72 mts.
Fresco & Mural Paintings: The walls of the Temple complex are painted with exquisite
paintings using herbal and vegetable dyes.
Inscriptions: Sri Ranganathaswamy Temple is a veritable treasure trove for epigraphists.
Over 640 inscriptions have been copied and published from the temple.
Water Harvesting Systems (Temple Tanks): The Temple complex has 2 large Temple tanks.
The capacity of each is around 2 million litres and the water is cleansed by fishes in it.
35. MEENAKSHI TEMPLE
Location: MADURAI, TAMIL NADU
Year: 600 AD
Present Age: 1418
Built by: Kulasekara Pandya
Time taken: 10 years
Height: 9 Stories
36. Facts and Figures
The Meenakshi temple complex is one of the largest and oldest.
It has been estimated that there are 33,000 sculptures in the temple.
The thousand-pillar hall: The Thousand Pillar Hall contains nearly 1000 carved
pillars. Some of these pillars astonishingly produce different melodious musical
notes when struck.
PAINTINGS: Only a fraction of 17th and 18th century paintings of Nayak period
survives and one such portion is found.
Rain water harvesting pond at the centre of the temple with huge capacity to store
water
37.
38. CONCLUSION
The architecture of India is rooted in its history, culture and religion. The
architectural methods practiced in India are a result of examination and
implementation of its established building traditions and outside cultural interactions.
Preserving these greatest structures has become a fulltime job due to various causes by
human agencies and not by environment.
Whatever it is these structures will not be affected in all directions and stay strong for
centuries in the future.
Civil engineers then, now, or in the future are here to make wonders and make
the country proud.
