Slide 1

Indo Sarcenic Architecture

Introduction Indo-Saracenic architecture represents a synthesis of Islamic designs and Indianmaterials developed by British architects in India during the late nineteenth and earlytwentieth centuries.

It drew elements from native Indo-Islamic and Indian architecture, and combined it with the Gothic revival and Neo-Classical styles favoured in Victorian Britain.

Turkish and mughal conquest in india brought in islamic style of architecture and sucessfuly incorporated with already existing hindu temple architecture.

The prevailing style in india is of trabeate style involving pillars, beams and lintels and advancement of mughal rule has brought in arches, domes, minarets, open pavilions, chatris.

Local influences also contributed to development of islamic architecture such as development of chajja, motifs, corbel brackets which were from Gujarat school and bengal school.

Islamic architecture flourished for more than 400 years under mughal rule.

Decline and Revival

Islamic architecture were at peak when mughal ruled india from early 14th century when mughal style was conceived by akbar. This 'Akbari' Style was an amalgam of earlier Timurid, Persian and indigenous Indian styles.

This style was further consolidated by shah jahan under whom some significant structures such as taj mahal, forts of agra, akbar tomb, city of fathepur sikri.

Decline started to happen when aurangazed came to rule who has no soft spot for art and architecture and most of time was spent on battles and annexion of territories.

Revival of style-

When the British came to India, the European classical style (incorporating Greek andRoman Features such as columns, triangular pediments) was followed for the public andother buildings during their earlier period of colonial rule to reflect their self image as theholders of power and status.

BEFORE 1857- European classical style (incorporating Greek and Roman Features such as columns, triangular pediments) employed for the public buildings: image as the holders of power and status and to distance themselves from the natives.

However things changed after great revolt 1857 when east india company was abolished and came under direct rule under british crown.

To usher new era of architecture style keeping some traditional elements of British architecture of homeland, they added elements of Indian architecture to continue with the Indian traditions.

Result of following such style allowed British sought to incorporate their view of Indias past into their own building, and so represent Britains Raj as legitimately Indian.

Map showing the locations of cities having Indo Saracenic style buildings in India

St.George Cathedral, Chennai

Secretariat building of fort St.George

St.Paul Cathedral, Kolkatta.Indo Sarcenic Architecture :

Indo-Saracenic architecture represents a synthesis of Islamic designs and Indianmaterials developed by British architects in India during the late nineteenth and earlytwentieth centuries.

The hybrid, combined diverse architectural elements of Hindu and Mughal with cusped arches, domes, spires, tracery, minarets and stained glass, in a wonderful,almost playful manner.

Chief proponents of this style of architecture were these: Robert Fellowes Chisholm, Henry Irwin and Gilbert Scott.

Structures built in Indo-Saracenic style in India and in certain nearby countries were predominately grand public edifices, such as clock towers and courthouses. Likewise, civic as well as municipal and governmental colleges along with town halls.

Municipal Corporation of Mumbai

Taj Mahal Palace Hotel,Mumbai

Ripon Building, ChennaiTaj Mahal Palace Hotel.

Victoria Memorial,KolkattaArchitectural Characteristics of Indo Sarcenic Buildings

Onion (Bulbous) Domes

Overhanging Eaves

Pointed Arches, Cusped Arches, or Scalloped Arches

Vaulted Roofs

Domed Kiosks

Many Miniature Domes, or Domed Chatris

Towers or Minarets

Harem Windows

Open Pavillions

Pierced Open Arcading

Architectural Characteristics of Indo Sarcenic Buildings

Onion domeFinialsHigh Court Complex, Chennai

Pointed Arches

Over-Hanging eavesMinature DomesOpen BalconyHarem WindowMadras Vetinary College

Minature DomesBattlementsEaves or Chajja

MinaretsScalloped ArchesSenate House, Madras University The senate house madras is the work of british architect robert chishlom.

The design of this building were choosen through an open competition announced by the madras government in 1864. completed by 1879 at a cost of rs 289,000.

The senate house was to serve as the examination hall and offices of the madras university.

The Senate House is situated on the southern side of the Chepauk Campus of the Madras University.

The building was used for meetings of the senate, syndicate and academic departments of the University. Its main hall was used for convocations for over a century.

Planning: It comprises of large two floor high central hall, 16m high, measuring approx. 50m by 15m, and has a capacity to seat 1600 people.

Though laid out as a simple rectangle, a strong variation in form is achieved on the sensitive lacing of the four towers on simple square projections that fall behind each of the side entrance porches.

The building essentially consists of a cellar hall, a ground floor hall called as Great Hall with a high ceiling, Northern and Southern wings and main entry porches.

TowerPorchDouble height VerandahSenate House, Plan The gigantic central hall were supported by massive side walls on east and west . The walls of north and south essentially consist of birck pillars 2mx 1.5m. They are build with brick and lime mortar.

The central hallis flanked on the East and West by wide corridors supported by six massive butexquisitively chiseled stone pillars on either side. The capitals of all the pillars are carvedwith Hindu deities, human and animal figures and geometric designs.

Below the central hall is the 2.69m deep Cellar Hall below the ground level. It is provided with massive end and intermediate walls of brick masonry.

The roof is further supported by main and secondary timber beams with additional brick pillars.

Arch shaped doors and windowsChiseled stone colums The north wing has two floorsand is provided with partition walls to accommodate office rooms and toilets. The staircase is provided on the northern wing of the Great hall. The stairs provide access to both cellar and first floor.

Central Hall

Longitudinal Section

South Elevation

Onion dome

Onion DomeFinialsProjecting EavesScalopped ArchesMinaretsChatris or Kiosks

Open BalconyRose WindowTudor ArchElevation:

Between the brick walls of north and south are provided with finished doors and windows in shapes of arches. The big circular windows are decorated with stained glass.

The floor of the hall consists of timber planks.

The building on the four corners is endowed with four attractive towers rising high with artistically shaped domes painted on the exterior with variegated colours.