Location

India is an independent country located in the North-eastern hemisphere in the continent of Asia.

Regions

India is divided into 6 separate regions.

1. North India
2. West India
3. South India
4. East India
5. Central India
6. Northeast India

Population

According to a census conducted in 2013, India's population is 1.252 billion. Ranking India as the second most populated country in the world, behind China.

Climate

"According to the 2011 census, 79.8% of the population of India practices Hinduism and 14.2% adheres to Islam, while the remaining 6% adheres to other religions (Christianity, Sikhism, Buddhism, Jainism and various indigenous ethnically-bound faiths)"

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Religion_in_India

ये देवासो दिव्येकादश स्थ पृथिव्यामध्येकादश स्थ ।अप्सुक्षितो महिनैकादश स्थ ते देवासो यज्ञमिमं जुषध्वम् ॥११॥[111]

O ye eleven gods whose home is heaven, O ye eleven who make earth your dwelling, Ye who with might, eleven, live in waters, accept this sacrifice, O gods, with pleasure – Translated by Ralph T. H. Griffith[112]

Gods who are eleven in heaven; who are eleven on earth; and who are eleven dwelling with glory in mid-air; may ye be pleased with this our sacrifice. – Translated by HH Wilson[113]

— Rigveda 1.139.11

As one of the most populated countries in the world and the amalgamation of some of the oldest civilizations known to mankind, Indian culture is extremely diverse and rich in history. India is so ethnically and culturally unique, its lifestyle varies between all walks of life.

Different regions have their own distinct cultures. Language, religion, food and the arts are just some of the various aspects of Indian culture.

History

• 1858- The British overthrow the Moguls and take control of India
• 1947 AD - India became independent from British Rule
• 1947 AD - Partition of India & Pakistan. (they become two separate countries)

Influences

Since India is extremely rich in its culture, its architecture is very much reflective by the country’s social climate. Many of the motifs featured on traditional Indian facades include references to religious beliefs and were commissioned by various ruling empires through India’s history. For example, the Taj Mahal was commissioned by “the Mughal emperor Shah Jahān (reigned 1628–58) to immortalize his wife Mumtāz Maḥal” (Encyclopedia Britannica, 2015).

Ancient Indian structures, such as temples, were also very highly influenced by the dominant religion - Hinduism. Hindu systems of architecture like Vastu Shastra dictated the urban planning and architecture in India. Vastu Shastra outlined architectural theories and spatial relationships; buildings were to be configured like the mandala. (The mandala is a Hindu motif that is representative of the universe.) This system of architecture was not exclusive to India; it was also applied to many other Hindu temples around the world, such as the Angkor Wat in Cambodia.

Renowned Architects

• Charles Correa Associates. (2013) [Untitled Photo of Charles Correa]. [Online image]. Retrieved December 11, 2016 from http://www.archdaily.com/373265/charles-correa-india-s-greatest-architect
• Well known for his designs that successfully fuse traditional Indian architecture and modernism.
• He considered India’s climates and city landscape and integrated modernist styles while designing buildings
• “Correa has played a pivotal role in the creation of an architecture and urbanism for post-war India” (ArchDaily, 2013)

elements

Line

Line - (Actual Lines, Implied Lines, Psychic Lines)

Various lines are seamlessly integrated into the Indian architecture and design; traditional and modern.Both orthogonal and curvilinear actual lines are found all throughout Indian structures. Psychic lines divide the space; central courtyards and rooms are divided by orthogonal lines when in plan view.

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Principles

Balance

Symmetrical balance is a key, distinguishable feature in Indian architecture. Iconic pointed arches are arranging in a symmetrical manner, and the many Indian structures are almost perfectly mirrored.

Radial

Emphasis

• The buildings are generally emphasized as a whole. As their balance is proportionate and often symmetrical there would draw ones eye to the building as a whole. Each part was created with such detail.
• There is no centralized focal point, however, the building itself has an intense amount of visual interest that it becomes the focal point itself in comparison to its surrounding landscape.

Rhythm

Rhythm - (Alternation, Gradation, Repetition)

Repetition - Indian architecture often includes pointed arches arranged in an arcade. Rhythm is created through the repeated pattern of arches aligned in succession. Gradation - Gradation is evident through the corbelled tops of Indo-Hindu temples.

Scale and Proportion

Traditional buildings have a certain ‘larger than life’ aspect. In terms of scale, these architectural feature columns, arches, and ceiling heights. Despite this, many buildings are extremely proportionate and symmetrical

India Meets Canada

BAPS Shri Swaminarayan Mandir, Toronto, Canada

Date 29 July 2007, 21:00:00

Parliament

References

http://www.monsoondata.org/hist/region.html http://www.ducksters.com/geography/country/india.php http://www.ndtv.com/video/shows/luxe-interiors/luxe-interiors-north-and-south-india-have-distinct-architectural-styles-422037http://www.ndtv.com/video/shows/luxe-interiors/luxe-interiors-north-and-south-india-have-distinct-architectural-styles-422037 https://www.quora.com/What-are-the-top-10-events-in-Indian-history https://www.google.ca/webhp?sourceid=chrome-instant&ion=1&espv=2&ie=UTF-8#q=india+population http://www.monsoondata.org/hist/region.html http://www.walkthroughindia.com/attraction/top-25-famous-monuments-and-distinctive-landmarks-of-india/ https://www.quora.com/What-are-the-top-10-events-in-Indian-history https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MZVVFSiSl1s https://www.google.ca/search?q=religons+that+make+up+india&oq=religons+that+make+up+india&aqs=chrome..69i57.9663j0j4&sourceid=chrome&ie=UTF-8 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ANWJ6p3PpCs