British Architecture

Modern Architecture

Modern Architecture in India, i.e., British Architecture can be studied under two different sub-headings.

1. Indo-Gothic Architecture
2. Neo-Roman Architecture

Indo-Gothic Architecture

The first and foremost example of Indo-Gothic Architecture is St. Fort George in Madras and St. Fort Williams in Kolkata.

After 1750, British started replicating Gothic structures in the cities of Kolkata and Mumbai which has the following features -

• It advanced the British structural techniques in India.
• Use of iron rod, poured concrete and steel.
• Now Britishers created thinner walls.
• Pointed arches were created in the building.
• Britishers incorporated the concept of Double dome and Crucified ground plan (present in Nagara and Dravida Style of Temple Architecture) in their buildings.

For Example - 

• Mumbai - 
1. Victoria Terminus (Now it is known as Chhatrapati Shivaji Terminus).
2. Churchgate
3. Fort Mumbai
4. Gothic Art and Victorian deco ensemble (World heritage site)
5. Gateway of India
6. Crawl ford market
• Kolkata -
1. St. Paul Cathedral
2. Victoria Memorial
3. Reuter's building

St, Fort George, Chennai

Neo Roman Architecture

The beginning of the Neo Roman Architecture happened in 1911 when the capital of British India was shifted from Kolkata to New Delhi.

Two British architecture Edwin Lutyens and Herbert Beker were entrusted with creating new administrative building in Delhi, but later Edwin Lutyens single handedly created all the structures in Delhi.

Features of Neo-Roman Architecture 

• Neo Roman structures in Delhi were grand and imposing.
• Due to the fusion of many styles, anonymous structures were created.
• However, grand they may be but these buildings were compromised on utility and convenience.
• The planning of most of the buildings were circular.
• These buildings were symmetrical and organised.

For example - 

• Rashtrapati Bhawan
• Parliament House
• North Block
• South Block
• Supreme Court Building
• Secretariate Building, etc.

(Controversy on creating Rashtrapati Bhawan)

• Herbert Beker suggested to create it on an upraised platform
• Edwin Lutyens suggested to create it in downside of upraised area since Delhi falls in the earthquake zone.

They did not come at any consensus. So, Herbert Beker was shifted to South Africa and the responsibility of creating all the British structures in Delhi was given to Lutyens.

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Note - This is my Vision IAS Notes (Vision IAS Class Notes) and Ashutosh Pandey Sir's Public Administration Class notes. I've also added some of the information on my own. 

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