Architecture
Architecture
India has produced some splendid works on architecture. The earliest civilization of India, the Indus Valley civilization, was noted for its architecture in bricks. Books about that civilization tell us that our earliest ancestors had highly advanced notions about architecture. The civilization that followed the Indus Valley civilization, which began the Aryan age in Indian history, introduced a religious element into architecture. The Buddhist Stupa represents the earliest form of religious architecture of this era. The ancient t Buddhists erected many monuments most of which have been either destroyed or ruined. The Stupa of Sanchi is world famous. King Ashoka renovated the Stupa of Sanchi when he became a Buddhist. The Buddhists developed what is known as rock-cut architecture. Among the finest expressions of Hindu architectural designed are the temples of India which are a marvel to behold for native and alien alike. (Hindus build temples wherever they go, even abroad). Many of these mammoth temples of great architectural beauty were destroyed by invading foreigners, but many still remain. The Linga Raja temple of Orissa, the Sun God temple of Konarka, The Khajuraho temple in Madhya Pradesh and several others are famous for their architectural excellence. So, do the great temples of the South, built by Dravidian architects. Some of the great temples of the South are the Meenakshi temple in Madurai, the Varadaraja temple in Kanjeevaram, and the Belur, Halebid and Gomatheswar temples in Mysore.
Some of the greatest architectural wonders of India were built by Moghul architects whose names, like the names of the Hindu and Buddhist architects we do not know. The Taj Mahal that Emperor Shah Jahan built needs no introduction. That monumental structure in marble is, as agreed by Indians and foreigners, one of the few architectural wonders of the world. Earlier, during the Moghul period in Indian history, were built several beautiful mosques. One of the rare pillars ever built in the world the Kutub Minar of Delhi, was built during the Slave dynasty of the Moghuls. Fathepur Sikhri which Shah Jehan’s grandfather Akbar built is still one of the great architectural attractions of the North.
The Jains and Sikhs also produced fine specimens of architecture in the North.
Ancient Indians, whether they were Hindus or Muslims or Jains or Sikhs had great talent for architecture, something that modern Indians should be proud of.
[Source: The Path Divine, Sri Sathya Sai Balvikas, Dharmakshetra, Mumbai]