unit 5.pptx

architecture

1. INDO -SARCENIC INDO -GOTHIC ARCHITECTURE (India)

2. INDO SARCENIC/ INDO GOTHIC ARCHITECTURE Indo Saracenic architecture or Indo Saracenic Revival architecture (also known as Indo- Gothic, Hindu-Gothic, Mughal -Gothic, Neo- Mughal architecture) denotes the fusion of Indo- Islamic and Indian architecture. Indo Saracenic is an absorption of exotic elements from native Indo-Islamic and Indian architecture, and fusing it with the Gothic revival and Neo- Classical styles favoured in Victorian Britain. Indo Saracenic architecture is the brilliant architectural engineering movement by the British architects in the late 19th century in British India. The hybrid combined diverse architectural elements of Hindu and Mughal with Gothic cusped arches, domes, spires, tracery, minarets and stained glass, in a wonderful, almost playful manner.

3. Introduction WHY SARACENIC.? "Saracen" is an adaptation of a Greek word, sarakenoi , meaning "people who live in tents"; that is, Arabs.The word Saracen was employed by Greek and Latin to refer people who lived in desert areas in and near the Roman province ofArabia , and who were specifically distinguished fromArabs . During medieval era Europeans denoted Muslims as Saracens. Over a period of time "Saracen" had become synonymous with "Muslim.“

4. HISTORY Before 1857 the British rulers in India applied Gothic Revival architecture incorporating Greek and Roman features such as columns, triangular pediments for the public building in India. The main reason for the adoption of this classical style for the British rulers was to retain the image as the holder of power and status and to distance themselves from the native Indians. The Indian Rebellion of 1857 began as a mutiny of sepoys of the East India Company's army on 10 May 1857 and this 'Revolt of 1857' compelled the Britishers to legitimize their rule and to establish confidence from the natives of the colonized land. The rulers also began to understand that India had an architectural history that was as deep as it was complicated. James Ferguson, an historian of Indian architecture, categorized and evaluated Indian architecture and buildings based on their characteristics and proposed his conclusion stating that Indian architecture sporadically went into diminution and therefore need to be revived by British. The British government in India also encouraged a new generation of British architects to experiment with the style known as Indo Saracenic . The architectural designs of British buildings, monuments, forts etc. in the post-Renaissance period formed the inspiration for the British architects. They built the public buildings in India as per advanced British structural engineering standards of the 1800's and used iron, steel and poured concrete.

5. FORMS OF INDO SARACENIC The Palladian Style When the British became a power, there were three styles prevalent in England viz. the Palladian, Baroque and the Victorian . The Palladian style of architecture is based on the works of Andrea Palladio (17th century) of Italy. It could be identified with a few features such as the ceilings as an ornamental focus, mouldings often featuring masks, terms and shells or other depictions of nature, fireplaces and wall painting. A great central tower rising from a succession of traced roofs is one important characteristic of this style. The another important feature is Palladian window, which consists of a central section with semi circular arch over and two sections on either sides, all supported by pillars, as shown in the adjacent image. This was a feature inculcated in India in some buildings (in Lucknow for example) though as such we don’t find any monument made purely on Palladian style. La Martiniere Lucknow The early Britons sought to introduce the Palladian style in the form of the La Martiniere in Lucknow . It was built by Claude Martin, a wealthy eighteenth-century Frenchman, who was an officer in the French and later the British East India Company. Martin acquired his fortune while serving Asaf-ud-Daula , the nawab wazir of Awadh , and was reputedly the richest Frenchman in India. The building, called Constantia at that time is now serves as a college.

6. The Victorian Gothic Style This style started when, India saw the emergence of presidencies of Madras, Bombay and Bengal, the fashion in England was of Gothic revival and neoclassical architecture. At the same time, the Victorian style was also in vogue. So, in the years to come, the buildings and monuments saw a mix of Indian ( Mughal ) style, Victorian, Gothic, Palladian, Baroque and other styles. However, none of the styles prevalent in Europe in those times were original. All of them were either imitated features from earlier Romanesque or Georgian architecture. The Victorian Gothic Architecture thus, was basically a hotch - potch of early European styles mixed with the introduction of Middle East and Asian influences. This monument represents the themes deriving from Indian traditional architecture. This was the beginning of the Indo-gothic or Indo- Saracenic revival. The monuments now created drew the elements from the indigenous and indo-Islamic architecture and combined it with the gothic revival and neo-classical styles favoured in Victorian England. One the best example is the Victoria Memorial Hall of Kolkata, which inculcates numerous Mughal elements in its design. Such monuments were built on advanced engineering standards. The material such as steel, Iron and poured concrete started getting used. The most important features of the buildings of this revival were as follows: Bulbous domes along with many miniature domes Overhanging eaves Pointed arches, cusped arches, or scalloped arches Vaulted roofs Domed chhatris , pinnacles, towers and minarets Open pavilions Pierced arcades.

7. Cities Influenced Map showing the locations of cities having Indo Saracenic style buildings in India Delhi Lucknow Ajmer Jaipur Gwalior Allahabad Calcutta Rajkot Jamnagar Baroda Bombay Mysore Chennai (Madras) Bangalore Trivandrum

8. FEATURES OF INDO- SARACENIC ARCHITECTURE Bulbous (Onion-Shaped) Dome Arches horseshoe, pointed, ogee, scalloped, keyhole Delicate Ornamentation & Nonfigurative Quranic script Chhatri Pavillion with dome Jharokha Overhanging balcony 6. Chajja overhanging eaves on large carved brackets. 7 . Jali Perforated stone or latticed screen 8. Towers or minarets 9. Pinnacles or spires

9. Assignment unit 5 SOME OF THE FAMOUS INDO-GOTHIC ARCHITECTS: Madras : Caldwell & havilland : St Andrews Church Robert F Chisholm : Senate House and national Art Gallery Henry Irwin : Madras High court, Chennai Central Railway Terminus Calcutta : Thomas Lyon : Writer’s Building Charles Wyatt : Government Building William Emerson : Victoria Memorial Bombay : George Gilbert Scott : Rajabai Tower-Bombay University Libaray Fredrick William Stevens : Victoria Terminus, Municipal Hall George Wittet : Gateway Of India & Prince Of Wales Museum Delhi Sir Edwin Lutyens : India Gate, Viceroy’s House Herbert Baker : Parliament House, Secretariat Buildings