Exploring into the ancient history of Indian architecture & traits of Indian palaces

India - Architectural traits of Indian palaces

COSMIC SYMBOLS AND DIAGRAMS

All aspects of royal life in India in olden times were infused with celestial symbols. Splendid heavenly motifs of sun, king’s throne ornamented with gold, silver, rubies and diamonds and walls embellished with similar natural gems to show the kings wealth were a common site in the palaces. Lions, peacocks and mythical beasts were particularly popular in wall mosaics.

Mughal emperor Akbar used free standing columns were used in royal pavilions as a symbol of cosmic energy and before that in 17^th century the emperors used brown sandstone pillars as a symbol of their power. The brown color of the pillars came from the minerals found in the northern region of the country. All the Indian kings believed in harmony and created a metal chakra, which means a wheel, and it symbolized that every act should be in harmony with inner self and things should be done at the correct time and place through rigorous planning. This wheel would be of steel metal but was embellished with gold and silver leaf and jewels. In this image (from book, The Royal palaces of India, George Michell & Antonio Martinelli, page 19)we can see how the images of war and festivals were depicted on the walls as murals all over the royal palaces. The palaces had an open courtyard where the classical singers and dancers would come and perform for the king and his family.

DEFENCE AND SECURITY

The Indian palaces were intended primary as fortresses- a residence for the king and his family and also for the political get to gathers. Mostly located at the top of the hill or an elevated point from where the kings soldiers could guard the palaces and see clearly who is approaching the fort. The outer walls are made of wide stone- around 3-4 feet wide, so that in case of a war the royal family is well protected inside the palace. The out stone walls were mostly of brown color and sometimes they were painted with natural minerals pigment found that respective region. For example the Fatehpur Sikri fort is made of red sand stone and hence its color red. It has Islami,Jain and Hinduism elements to it with colors of red and white. Sand stone used in these citadels is a sedimentary rock which is composed of siliceous, cement, felspanthic minerals. The life span of this rock depends on the cementing material. It is formed by aggregation and consolidation of sand which is held together by silica. The rock color is mostly determined by the cementing material for example iron oxide produces reddish brown or red color rock. As sandstone is the youngest of the quartz-based stones, it is different consistence with each stone piece. Some sandstone is porous but mostly they have similar grain size. Sandstone has also been proved to be a good material for carving as shown in this picture. Hence various colors like yellow, greenish brown, gray, white and red can be achieved in sandstone. Hence, this sturdy red sandstone has been used from centuries at historical monuments and buildings for example at Red fort, Rashtrapati Bhawan, Chhitar palace in Jodhpur and many other places.

FORMAL RECEPTION

The court also called as the Darbar of the king was the most important space in a fort. All the decisions were taken here while the emperor sits on his throne which is elevated from rest of the seating in the space. These activities would take place in the center of the civil building. These public reception halls were guarded and they kings wives lived in their respective rooms which would be located in the same premises as the public court. Most of the Muslim kings had several wives who were not allowed to participated in the decision making process. This is a picture of a 17^th century painting where a scene of court is painted. The pillars of the palaces were densely carved and embellished with jewels. Pattern on textiles and on the floor would dive a sense of direction to the public who visited the emperor.

ROYAL WORSHIP

The royal palaces had gods temple inside the premises. The walls were extremely elaborate and were paneled with silver embossed sheets. The embossing would depict mythological scenes and natural organic plant life mosaics. Below a picture clearly shows us how detailed the niche is embellished for the lord Ganesha. These worship places were created in the private area of the palace. One can also see the influence of art nouveau on the detailed floral design.

(page 42- , The Royal palaces of India, George Michell & Antonio Martinelli). Also due to the invading rulers the palaces had a diverse architecture. For example in the picture below there are French floral details on the top of the arced Muslim influenced panel. Also, inside are the mythological lions with tusks of an elephant and below them is the sacred goddess Laxmi (goddess of wealth). The green color on the wall panel is considered sacred in Muslim religion where is gold color is auspicious in Hindu religion. The incorporation of these colors to create elaborate interiors was always an emperor’s priority.

PRIVACY AND PLEASURE

Since the 15^th century in India the female inhabitants both of Muslim and Hindu religion had to reside in highly guarded quarters commonly called the “Harems or Zenanas”. But this soon changes in the 17^th century when Nur Jahan wife of Emperor Jahangir started participating actively in the governing process. As the political roles changed so did the functioning of the palace changes in time to come, which we will further discuss in the present state of the palaces in India.

GARDENS

Indian rulers always enjoyed taking a walk in the gardens. AS the climate of the terrain is mostly hot, evening walks around the reflecting shallow pools of water, fountain and freshly watered plants was always a gratifying. Also, flowers like roses and lilies, lotus were grown in the gardens, which were plucked and used as air freshener and to make garlands for the king and his guests.

KITCHENS

Emperor’s chefs cooked in open courtyards, under awnings, which would generally be located at some distance from the royal inhabitants of the palace. There was rarely a particular room designated for kitchen. But by 19^th century banquet style dining became an essential aspect of entertaining, which were mostly imitations of the European dining etiquettes.

WATER SUPPLY

Fort premises usually made excellent use of wells and cisterns to capture rain water during monsoons. Artificial reservoirs or tanks walled with stone were built which would trap water. Planning was sometimes dominated by such elements which are an important natural resource for everyday activities.

MARKETS AND WORKSHOPS

There were karkhanas- also called as workshops located right outside the palace. Here local handmade silk textiles were available, as well as embroidered velvet, silver vessels, gold chains, gilded steel weapons, woven cloths and gem covered jewels. Balconies played an important role here for the queens of the king. For example, Sawai Pratap Singh Palace - The Hawa Mahal or Palace of Breeze, was built in 1799 for royal women to look out over to the bazaar street. This

Palace is also built of sandstone which is still widely available in the western region of India. Hence, one can see the red color of the palace and the small balconies facing the street of the city.

POOLS

Every palace had an open pool with stepped sides, magnificent carved marble walls which would act as curtains or dividers in around the pool sometimes. In India around 17^th century they also built bath houses which had steam and hot water facility, these baths were also known as “hammams”. Some traditions baths were mostly roofed chambers with ventilated vaults and dome and with fountains set in floor for the experience of bathing. These baths were mostly made of marble and were white in color with some carving and detailing on the walls.

STYLISTIC DEVELOPMENT

The interior styles that the royal residences are built reveal the influence of the widespread of European culture on the Indian ruling classes. Neoclassicism was in trend at the end of the 18^th century and therefore the palaces built during that era have British influences. For example, elegantly furnished rooms, mirrors and European chandeliers were used by rich royal class families. The local craftsmen infused the European styles with the Indian styles to create unique spaces in the palaces.

Most of the Rajput architecture is called the “Indo-Saracenic” style. It was invented by the British for their own public monuments in which Indian architectural elements are collective formulated with Venetian gothic and European styles. Also, in 19^th century John Ruskin designed balconies, open pavilions, Gothic pointed arched with bulbous domes, which would have scenic views. In half of the 19^th century railway stations, art galleries, civil courts all illustrates similar architecture.

Also, in the 20^th century the European architects came to India and worked for the royal palaces. Their style showed a fusion of imported and native elements. For example as shown in the picture- the Art Deco Palace located in Morvi, Western part of India, Gujarat state. It was built in 1931. Two storied, made of marble and gem stones, the bays and curves bear a resemblance to the underground stations of London. The palace has six drawing rooms, fourteen bed rooms and six dining rooms which are embellished with erotic Kamasutra murals.

India now one of the biggest powers of the world has vast history of politics, science and architecture. There were various historical style implemented in India. Most of them discusses here are from the British Raj period of more than two hundred years which ended in 1947. This architecture can be divided into the following styles:

Gothic architecture

One of the greatest gothic architecture structures in India is the Victoria terminus in Mumbai as shown below in the picture. Architect Fredrick William Stevens from England used decorative styles, metal, marble and stain glass with cement and bricks in creating this master piece. This architectural symbol denotes the British raj. Figurative sentinels, lion and tiger were used to show the existence of British Empire. Another example of fusion of Islamic and gothic architecture is the municipal building in Mumbai opposite Victoria terminus as shown below. The architecture blends in the indo-Saracenic and gothic lines and this shows us how influential British raj was in India.

Another example of gothic arhitectiure in India is in the eastern part of India, Varanasi. The queen college was built around 1847 and styled by major Kitoe. Nearby the British procession went on a charge, constructing a succession of edifices like the Colossal university, High court and Mayo college. Also in surrounding areas in Nagpur architect G.F.Bolday was commission and he redesigned the All saints Church in Nagpur.

Indo-saracenic architecture

Indo-saracenas architecture can be seen in Chennai and Mysore. In 19^th century the Victorian indo-saracenic style altered the traditional Islamic buildings architecture. The law courts in Chennai and Mysore are a fine example of this style of architecture. The Grandeur of Islamic domes, arcaded verandas and sun shaded balconies at top of which is a spherical dome. Shown on the right is the High court building in Chennai, it also uses the local available stones and detailed columns and balconies.

Colonial architecture in India, New Delhi

During the British rule, India’s capital Calcutta was moved to Delhi in 1911, creating a high demand for new infrastructure. The city was systematically planned keeping in the mind the two century old historic architecture which existed in New Delhi. Sir Edward Lutyens was in charge for planning New Delhi. Also, Herbert baker, a European architect, helped plan secretariat two massive buildings shown below. Here we can see the influence of colonial courtyards with mix of Islamic arch shaped doors. The last colonial architecture is St. Martins Garrison church this marks the British raj end in India.