If all of the world´s cultural heritage (sports, music, fashion, architecture, literature, painting, etc..) was

contained in a time capsule, what would you include to demonstrate the legacy of your country?

Architecture of India

Prepared By Santosh Mungle

Indian Civilization spanned at least 4,500 years. Indian civilization left its impact on everything in our lives

and society. UNESCO has listed 830 World Heritage Sites, out of which 26

are in India which is less than six other countries

Architecture of India

One of the most enduring achievements of Indian civilization is undoubtedly its architecture, which extends to a great deal more than the Taj Mahal or the temple complexes of Khajuraho.

Architecture of India

Khajuraho Temple

Taj Mahal

Architecture of India

Indus Valley sites of Harappa, and Mohenjo-Daro provide substantial evidence of extensive town planning in 3300–1300 BCE.

Architecture of India Beginnings of Indian architecture are more properly to be

dated to the advent of Buddhism in India, in the reign of Ashoka (304–232 BCE).

Bodhi GayaSanchiSanchi

Architecture of India

Ajanta Caves

Architecture of India By the eighth century, with the consolidation of Hindu

kingdoms, the southern Hindu school of architecture was beginning to flourish.

Mahabalipuram

Architecture of India

Meenakshi Temple

Architecture of India In Ellora in western India, Hindus added a new series of

temples and carvings, culminating in the majestic Kailasa temple, constructed in the reign of the Rashtrakuta monarch Krishna I (757-73)

Architecture of India

In central India, the Chandellas built a magnificent complex of temples at their capital, Khajuraho, between 950-1030 A.D.

Architecture of India These Khajuraho temples have acquired a renewed reputation

today as indices of India's libertine past, allegedly indicative of India's relaxed sexual mores before puritanical Muslims made India a sexually repressed society.

Architecture of IndiaThe cultural politics of Khajuraho, as indeed of Indian architecture. In the north-west, the Solanki kings spent lavishly on buildings, and the Surya temple in Modhera. More stupendous still is the Surya temple at Konarak, built by Narasimha-deva Ganga (c. 1238-64).

Architecture of IndiaThe Mughal emperors of India, were heavily invested in monumental architecture and spent lavishly on the construction of mosques, and palaces. But among them Taj Mahal (1653), is an edifice of such ravishing beauty that it has now become icon of India.

Architecture of India

Indian architecture as it stands today is a pluralistic body of production that cannot in all justice be exemplified by the above approaches.

It has evolved over the centuries and has been affected by numerous invaders who have brought different styles from their motherlands.

Indian architectures represents the diversity of Indian culture and comprises of a mix of ancient and varied native traditions.

Therefore, I would include Indian architecture in the time capsule to demonstrate legacy of India