Architecture of India - A Sample Essay

Question: Write a research essay on "Architecture of India". Answer: The architecture of British India represented and promoted a civilizing influence upon India The architecture of India not only represents the culture of India but also the culture of other countries. According to Dutta (2003), the British Government reigned in India more than 300 years. Therefore, it can be easily assumed that the architecture of India is duly influenced by British culture. Through the evidence lied in the research articles it is found that the progress of Indian architecture with time is influenced by other religions and countries (Herrmann 2010). The British culture enriched Indian architecture throughout the time and made it considerably civilized. According to Roberts (2000), the incorporation of Eastern tradition, in turn, enriched the modern values in Indian culture and helped India to transform into a modern nation state. The British East India Company arrived in India in early 1615 and reigned in India till the middle of 1947 (Faught 2013). During this period the major cities grew under the British ruling; therefore, their cultures, as well as archi tecture, was also enriched by the British Colonial Architecture. The word Colonial Architecture is very significant since this term consists of two words, one is colonial and refers to Colonial India" and the other one is "Architecture", which emphasizes the way "something is designed" (Des  2012). According to James (2010), The Colonial India is considered as the part of Indian sub continent, which was under the influence of European colonial power and demonstrate the architectures of British India that represented civilizing influence upon India. The history of British architecture in India can be traced back from the later Mughal times. In this period, a political anarchy took place in the history of Indian sociology. After the defeat of Tipu Sultan (Mysore) in 1799 the British Empire gained all the power and became most powerful political power (Desai 2010). Roughly from this moment the journey of British architecture began. With the elevated power, the British Government had the responsibilities to govern territories under their control and to be viewed as a civilized force by the common people of India (Yelle 2012). According to the research study of Chang (2011), it is recognized that the Military Board of English East India Company contributed most to build eminent architectures in India. Most of the secular architecture that builds up by the Military Board of English East India Company is forts, mess and barracks for soldiers as well as other assorted buildings (Barrett 2011). However, the British Government in India a lso realized that some more authoritative was needed in order to assert British Dominance. Therefore, they started establishing their town halls and houses influenced by their self-styled "pattern-book" (Anderson 2011). In fact, the history of "British architecture in India" reveals that they always followed their pattern book and tried to civilize the Indian culture by merging both of them. The architectural style of British is scattered in all over India, which may include Kolkata, Mumbai, New Delhi and Chennai (Crinson 2013). According to Stern (2011), it is recognized that the element used by the early British rule comprised different elements such as wood structure, stone structures, and bricks. However, with time the materials, as well as the style of architecture, were also changed. Renowned British victory general like Robert Clive played very important role in order to build architectural wonders in the major cities of India (Sen 2010). In this period, India witnessed the shipping of British skilled architectures that were equipped with clever motives as well as brilliant designs to develop British power architecture in India (Herbert 2012). In this context, it is important to mention that the British architectural design was hugely appreciated by Indian Kings or Princes. In many cities, the establishment of British archeology was indulged by the higher class In dian people. According to Herbert (2012), the architectural development in Kolkata was hugely influenced by the British government. The evidence of powerful British colonization is overwhelming in Kolkata (Stern 2011). The researchers stated that the reconstruction of Kolkata has been performed in the time of British ruling and admired as one of the most modern cities in India. Under the English administration, Kolkata was the erstwhile capital paving the way of architectural reconstruction (Chang 2011). One of the best British architecture in Kolkata is Victoria Memorial Hall, which was build up by Sir William Emerson (1843-1924). The supervising architect was Vincent Jerome Esch (1876-1950). According to Dutta (2003) Lord Curzon stated, Let us, therefore, have a building, stately, spacious, monumental and grand, to which every newcomer in Calcutta will turn, to which all the resident population, European and Native, will flock, where all classes will learn the lessons of history, and see revive d before their eyes the marvels of the (James 2010). On the other hand, St. Andrews was established in 1818, which was designed by Gibbs for St Martin-in-the-Fields in LondonsTrafalgar Square is known as the Scottish Kirk. One of the most eminent British architect William Nairn Forbes (1796-1855) designed St Paul's Cathedral, Kolkata. According to Sen (2010), in Victorian age St. Pauls Cathedral is the first Anglican Cathedral. Apart from these other famous Victorian architectures that can be found in Kolkata are the Asiatic Society of Bengal, The Indian Museum, Garrison Church, the High Court and St. Johns Church: The Thackerays Church (Morris 1983). All of this renowned architecture not only helped in the beautification of Kolkata but also contributed to the civilization. The Asiatic Society of Bengal was the base of developing knowledge. The other cities were also enriched by the British architectures. Delhi is one of the most civilized cities where British Empire builds their most eminent buildings (Roberts 2010). One of the most beautiful and significant architecture prepared by the British Architecture is All-India War Memorial Arch, which is also famous as India Gate. This great architecture is one of Lutyens great memorials and reflects Indo Saracenic Style (Dutta 2003). Apart from India Gate, the British architecture also builds Durbar Memorial, Mutiny Memorial, Old Town Hall and different Army barracks as well as offices in Red Fort, Delhi (Sen 2010). One of the most interesting architectures developed by the British architect is St. James Church, which is also known as Skinners Church. The design of this church is somehow unique as it also reflects a combination of Gothic culture and British modern culture. This church was badly damaged during the period of Sepoy Mutiny (Crinson 2013). This beautiful archite cture witnessed bitter fighting and still reflects the glorious days of British Empire in India. The arts, sculptures and painting used by the British architectures to decorate this church are magnificent (Barrett 2011). Most of these churches and halls designed by the British architects were mostly decorated with Italian marbles. On the other hand, St. Stephen's is considered as a beautiful exception of the traditional style of British culture. This beautiful church, in Old Delhi, was made with red brick and sandstone. The inner wall of the church is designed with painted or carved white stone trim. Another example of exceptional architecture mind of the British Government is Flagstaff Tower (in Old Delhi), which was build in 1828. This building was made of red sandstone (Anderson 2011). This beautiful tower is not only popular for its unique design and beauty but also its contribution to a "safe house" for the sick and wounded people. During the Sepoy Mutiny (1857), this tower bec ome, "the general rendezvous for the non-combatants, and for those of the sick and wounded who were able to move about, as they could assemble there and hear the news from the front without much risk of injury from the enemy's fire (Roberts, 2000). Therefore, it is evident that this beautiful architect buildings made by the British not only contributed to civilize the Indian culture but also contributed in the daily life of the common people. On the other hand, it is also found in the research study of Crinson (2013), in the period of 19th century; these churches (Kolkata, Delhi, Mumbai, and Chennai) were the center of spreading knowledge. Most of the modern schools were established in India with the support of the local churches (Herrmann 2010). In the context of the civilization of Indian culture, it is also important to mention that the British architecture builds not only great buildings but also made several roads and pedestal, which can also be considered as a great contributi on to the Indian civilization. An example of another beautiful example of British architect is the Glass House in Lal Bagh Botanical Gardens, Bangalore, India (Faught 2013). This beautiful Glass House was first proposed by the Superintendent of the Botanical Gardens, John Cameron in 1874. This building was constructed in 1889 and restored by the Indian government in 2004 (Des  2012). This beautiful building was constructed to honor Price Albert Victor (grandson of Queen Victoria) in his first visit to Bangalore. This building was designed and inspired by the Crystal Palace and a symbol of promoting civilization in India. Another eminent architect, which promotes the civilizing in India, is the Flora Fountain in Mumbai. This beautiful fountain was constructed of Poland stone and inaugurated in 1869. Surprisingly this fountain was not curved by the British engineers but by the renowned Scottish sculptor, James Forsyth (1827-1910). Jan Morris (1983) describes the Flora Fountain as, a figure of the Roman goddess Fl ora, attended by less explicit figures of myth..one of the oddest of all legacies. Apart from the buildings, fountains or arches, it is recognized that the British Government also built several colleges and libraries, and those buildings were constructed following copy book British style. One of the most eminent colleges built by the British Government is The Presidency College in Madras. This beautiful building also promoted civilizing influence in India (Barrett 2011). Although most of the buildings constructed or designed by the British Government promoted civilizing influence in India, it is also found that buildings and sculptures created in the time of Mughal period were also contributed to the civilization as well as beautification of India. According to Anderson (2011), most of the buildings or sculptures constructed by the British Government were situated in the cities and not in the rural part of India. Therefore, the term civilizing contradicts in the context of improving the living quality of the common people in India. However these buildings from different aspect helped in the beautification of the country and promoted "civilizing." In fact after the independence, a large number of Indian engineers studied in England and other European countries and applied their knowledge to construct more beautiful buildings in India, which reflects British culture (Yelle 2012). These buildings, monuments and fountains were deeply adored by the elite groups in India and become a symbol of Civilization. In the period of the 19th century, the architectural development in India took a new shape as the British Government started focusing to develop styled bungalow architecture from a plain native styled common thatched hut. The significant advancement of the British technology and architecture and their improvisations was helpful to change the definition of civilizing in India. The theme of the British constructions has a classical and classical look. According to Desai (2010), the monuments constructed by the British Military in India were predominated by guidelines followed by the British architects in England. Kolkata, Chennai, and Delhi are the foremost cities where the British Government built the churches, which reflects their classical and Gothic architecture style. The British Government not only built churches, monuments or buildings but also built up schools and colleges in order to spread their thought and education among the common Indian people. On the other hand, it is al so found that the British Government not only constructed buildings or monuments by following their own style but also cherished Indian art and crafts, which were build in Mughal period. Therefore, it can be said that the Indian culture and architecture were enriched by the British architects and promoted the civilizing influence in India. Reference Anderson, Michael. 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