Mentors Comments:
The answer should mention the shift in architectural forms – towards port cities and fortified colonies
due to arrival of East India Companies.
Then highlight the prominent characteristics of each in brief.
Further, the answer should trace the three schools, which marked the influence and contribution of the colonial architecture and support these with examples.
Answer:
The European impact on Indian architecture affected a synthesis of indigenous styles and instituted the typical colonial style of architecture. Transition from traders to establishing their settlements at various places paved way towards building European styles houses besides the factories and gradually strong fortress and imposing churches.
Under the Portuguese, the initial structures were utilitarian warehouses and walled trading post giving way to fortified towns along the coastline. This paved way for impressive churches in the style of Iberian architecture. This is evident in all the major churches of Goa. (St. Cathedral)
While the Danish influence is evident in Nagapattinam, Tranquebar and Serampore, Dutch cemetery is a combination of Indian and European styled graves with domed tombs. French gave a distinct urban design to its settlement in Pondicherry by applying the Cartesian grid plans (perpendicular streets) and classical architectural patterns. Churches at Pondicherry have a distinct French influence.
British left a lasting impact on Indian architecture, as the successors to the Mughal and used architecture as the symbol of power. They followed various architectural styles – Gothic, Imperial, Christian, English Renaissance and Victorian. Churches, built in great styles was mainly an inspiration from leading churches in England. However new material like concrete, glass, cast iron was used.
The passing of power from the EIC to the British crown, rise of Indian Nationalism and the introduction of railways- design and construction, were the watershed in the British colonial Indian architectural history. However, in true sense, there was nothing called Indo-British because Victorian styles did not have a vitality of its own. They attempted to imitate oriental style while trying to construct public buildings (big brickwork buildings with iron support and domed roofs).
Under this, three broad architectural styles emerged as a result of western influence from seventeenth century onwards:
Neo-classical: Construction of geometrical structures fronted with lofty pillars, arches. Derived from Greco – Roman Architecture. It was considered particularly appropriate for the British Empire in India. They imagined that a style that embodied the grandeur of imperial Rome could now be made to express the glory of Imperial India. The Mediterranean origins of this architecture were also thought to be suitable for tropical weather. Prominent examples include Town Hall and Elphinstone circle in Bombay.
Neo-Gothic: This was characterized by high pitched roofs, pointed arches ,detailed decoration and had its roots in buildings especially churches, built in Northern Europe during medieval period. This style was adapted for buildings in Bombay (Gothic city of India)-Victoria terminus is an outstanding example of Victorian Gothic Revival architecture in India.
Indo-Saracenic style: This represented hybrid architectural style combined diverse architectural elements of Hindu and Mughal with gothic cusped arches, domes, spires, minarets and stained glass. It was developed towards the beginning of 20th century and the inspiration for this style was medieval buildings in India with their domes, chattris, jalis and arches. By integrating Indian (even the provincial style) and European styles in public architecture, the British wanted to prove that they were legitimate rulers of India. The prominent ones include – Gateway of India, Chepauk palace in Madras (1st Indo-Saracenic), Victoria memorial hall. In addition, the architecture of New Delhi (Rome of India) by Lutyens and Baker is considered as one of the most significant contribution of British rule.
