India’s architectural styles were significantly shaped by the rise and fall of dynasties and civilisations. With influences from religion, culture and history, India is home to some of the world’s most unique architecture and construction innovations, and its grandeur and artistic creativity have long piqued curiosity.
Vijaynagar Empire Ruins at Hampi, Karnataka
The Group of Monuments at Hampi is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. There are 56 musical pillars at the Vithala temple complex, each producing a distinctive musical tone when tapped. The Virupaksha temple, the primary place of worship where the ancient city of Vijaynagar once stood, includes 39-tiered towers reaching 160 feet, and was built in the early 15th century.
Indian Stepped Wells in the North
Known in regional Rajasthani languages as Baori, Baoli or Vav, these are thought to have been built between the second and fourth centuries. Step-wells were built in drought-prone areas to give local communities year-round access to water and irrigation, and also served as temples, gathering places and rest stops on trade routes. They are geometrically precise, maze-like structures arranged in perfect symmetry, descending to a well.
Golden Namgey Lhatse, Tawang, Arunachal Pradesh
Tawang Monastery, the biggest monastery in India, was established close to the town following the Fifth Dalai Lama. It sits in the valley of the Tawang-chu, which flows from Tibet, incredibly near the Tibetan border. Ancient Indian temples themselves are broadly categorised into three basic types, based on the varied architectural styles used to build them.
Mumbai High Court
The colonial structures found across the country are primarily of Gothic Revival design, and the Mumbai High Court is one of the most distinguished examples, designed by a British engineer in an early English style. The Dutch, Portuguese and French also left their mark on Indian architecture through their own constructions, alongside the lasting English influence.
Conclusion
Every ethnicity and religion practised in the country carries distinctive characteristics and a rich history, which is why it’s difficult to summarise Indian architecture in a single, compartmentalised story. These architectural marvels remain some of India’s top tourist destinations, and that same spirit of innovation shows up in new projects across metropolitan cities today, with residential developments increasingly featuring architectural ideas and curated amenities inspired by this heritage.