Birth of Indian Architecture
The land of extreme diversities, cultures, religions, languages, dialects and food; India is also the land of deep rooted art and architecture, the iconic monuments that this land houses show it very well. India being the secular country that it is, has followers from multiple religions- Hinduism, Jainism, Buddhism, Islam, Christianity and Sikhism are to name a few. This means the country provides habitation to the sacred worship places, which over the years, due to its exceptional architecture, have become a place of visit not just by those following that particular religion but all for people all over the country and even the world.
Alongside a number of architectural styles and traditions, the contrasting Hindu Temple architecture and Indo-Islamic architecture are the best known in this sub-continent. The former has a number of regional styles within them. This write-up focuses on how Indus Valley Civilization has left its impact on what now remains in modern-day India as ancient architecture and later will move towards exploring the other architectural styles the country has offered the world.
The earliest Indian art emerged from the valley of the Indus River during the second half of the 3rd millennium BC. The best-known sites are Harappa, Lothal and Mohenjo-Daro; these are among the earliest examples of civic planning. The Indus civilization produced many statuettes made of steatite and limestone. Some statuettes resemble the hieratic style of contemporary Mesopotamia, while others are done in the smooth, sinuous style that is the prototype of later Indian sculpture, in which the plastic modelling reveals the animating breath of life. Also found in this region are square steatite seals adorned with a range of animals, including naturalistically rendered bulls; ceramic storage jars with simple, stylized designs; toys with wheels; and figurines, which may be mother goddesses. Bronze weapons, tools, and sculptures indicate a sophistication in craftsmanship rather than a major aesthetic development.
Through the years, these elements have been kept intact and prominently seen in architectural buildings of these sacred spaces, which in turn have become the symbols of that religious niche.