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Home , Bahadur Fort, Baji Rao I, Tomara dynasty

Similarity in Differences Architecture of & : a visual comparison

Abstract In this era of globalisation where every modern city is inclined towards acquiring a similar kind of look and feel to provide the jet-setters a sense of familiarity to the spaces around them, this is all being done at the cost of losing the traditional look of the city as a space.

For example, all the airports and the hotels looks the same. We have all the brands of clothes and shoes, restaurants, fast food chains that are available all across the globe. The idea of malls only reinforces this obsession with each and every one of them having the same brands – it’s just the architecture and allocation of the stores that are different. This idea of globalisation unintentionally eats up the space of and for the traditional and local cultures and identities.

Every culture on Earth has its own identity, it has a few symbols, elements etc. through which we identify it and associate it with that particular culture. All those things are being brushed under the carpet or the backroom of a museum by the idea of globalisation.

So what are those elements, symbols, icons etc. which makes one culture different from the other? This is an attempt to find and decode those elements and symbols through visuals (photographs) of two culturally different cities of , considering the socio-political, economical, architectural and geographical conditions of the same.

01 Architecture One can choose whether or not one wants to be involved in politics or religious rituals but one cannot distance oneself from the architecture that surrounds them. One can be more interactive, sensitive and productive if he or she knows about their physical surroundings. Architecture is the physical embodiment of who we are as individuals and as a collective and it represents the culture of a collective for times immemorial. From inside a room to a block to a city it communicates a lot about the person, their social life, society, locality, city and culture.

Architecture tells us much about a city’s history also. It can reveal the lifestyles, religion, technology and ethnic background of its settlers. It also reveals the influences that mark time, the rise and fall of cultures and kingdoms. Architectural styles can tell us about the image a city wants to project. An examination of the varied styles and functions of a city’s buildings can be as enlightening an education as any history book can provide.

02 03 Mumbai The , founded in 1526, Portugal, placed the islands in possession began to grow into a major trading town, and Rao II, the last of the Maratha in was the dominant power in the Indian of the British Empire, as part of Catherine’s received a huge influx of migrants from across the Battle of . Following his defeat, subcontinent during the mid-16th century. dowry to Charles. However, Salsette, India and outside. From 1782 onwards, the city almost the whole of the Deccan came under Growing apprehension of the power of Bassein, Mazagaon, Parel, Worli continued was reshaped with large-scale civil engineering British suzerainty, and were incorporated the Mughal emperor , Sultan to remain under the Portuguese possession. projects aimed at merging all the seven islands in Bombay Presidency. The success of the Bahadur Shah of the Sultanate was into a single amalgamated mass. This project, British campaign in the Deccan witnessed obliged to sign the Treaty of Bassein with These islands were in turn leased to the known as Hornby Vellard, was completed by the freedom of Bombay from all attacks by the on 23 December British in 1668 for 1784. In 1817, the British East India Company native powers. 1534. According to the treaty, the seven a sum of £10 per annum by the Royal under Mountstuart Elphinstone defeated Baji islands of Bombay, the strategic town of Charter of 27 March 1668. The population Bassein nearby and its dependencies were quickly rose from 10,000 in 1661, to 60,000 offered to the Portuguese. in 1675. The islands were subsequently attacked by the Mughal Empire, the Dutch The Portuguese were actively involved in several times. laying the foundation and the growth of their Roman Catholic religious orders in In 1687, the British East India Company Bombay and around. transferred its headquarters from Surat to Bombay. The city eventually became the Some of the oldest Catholic churches in headquarters of the Bombay Presidency. the city such as St. Michael’s Church at Following the transfer, Bombay was Mahim (1534), St. John the Baptist Church placed at the head of all the Company’s at Andheri (1579), St. Andrew’s Church establishments in India. The Portuguese at Bandra (1580), and Gloria Church at presence ended in Bombay when the Byculla (1632) date from the Portuguese Marathas under Peshwa captured era. Salsette in 1737, and Bassein in 1739. And again after the First Anglo-Maratha War On 11 May 1661, the marriage treaty of the British occupied Salsette. Charles II of England and Catherine of Braganza, daughter of King John IV of By the middle of the 18th century, Bombay

04 05 Architecture of Mumbai European colonists brought with them to buttresses, lancet windows and stained Art Deco is an eclectic style and designers Art Deco is one of Mumbai’s least noticed India concepts of their worldview and a glass. At first, due to the immense freed drew inspiration from many sources - architectural styles, though Mumbai with whole baggage of the history of European space it obtained, Gothic building only artifacts from Ancient Egypt and Greece, its suburbs put together possibly have the architecture. The initial structures were served as churches. However, soon Meso-America, Africa, Japan and China – largest number of Art Deco buildings in the utilitarian warehouses and walled trading enough there came a need for public halls, all had been influential. Cubism, Orphism, world. Art Deco in India (and especially posts, giving way to fortified towns along parliament houses, mansions, and the Futurism and Constructivism provided in Mumbai) evolved into a unique style the coastline. The British left a lasting Gothic era was the solution. an abstract, geometric language that was that came to be called Deco-Saracenic. Art impact on the Indian architecture, and quickly assimilated into the Deco style Deco architecture in Mumbai developed perhaps saw themselves as the successors Indian architects came to analyze this style and the high styles of European tradition during the 1930s and produced distinctly to the Mughals and used architecture as and represent it and put it into play in continued to provide inspiration. angular shaped buildings with facades. a symbol of power. The British followed relation with the climate, and in relation to Eros Cinema is a typical art deco building, various architectural styles – Gothic, society’s plans and sensibilities. This style, designed by architect Sohrabji Bhedwar. Imperial, Christian, English Renaissance the blend of Gothic and contemporary and Victorian being the essentials. styles, is what came to be known as “Bombay Gothic.” The Indo-Saracenic style Bombay Architecture became what it is developed in the second half of the 19th thanks to the British sensibilities of the century, combining Islamic and Hindu 18th and early 19th centuries. At first it architectural styles with its characteristic was the neo-Classical style of architecture domes, arches, stained glasses, spires, that captured the British imagination, and minarets. The Gateway of India but then a new style came to exist, one and Maharaj Vastu that reflected modern European fashions: Sangrahalaya are good examples of this Gothic Architecture. architectural type in the city.

Where the Classical has an orderly The Deco period began in 1910 when Art monochromatic presence, the Gothic style Nouveau slid out of fashion. Art deco’s is expressive, disjointed with surfaces of linear symmetry was a distinct departure lives colors, beautified with carved and from the flowing asymmetrical organic narrative elements, consisting of flying curves of its predecessor style art nouveau.

06 07 Delhi Remains of seven major cities have been in ruins. Near Delhi, Timur massacred Maratha forces sacked Delhi, following After the Indian Rebellion of 1857, discovered in Delhi. Anang Pal of the 100,000 captives. Delhi was a major centre their victory against the Mughals in the Delhi came under direct rule of the Tomara dynasty founded the city of Lal of Sufism during the Sultanate period in First . British crown and was made a district Kot in AD 736. The Chauhans conquered Delhi. province of the Punjab. In 1911, the Lal Kot in 1180 and renamed it Qila Rai In 1739, a weakened Mughal Empire lost capital of British India was transferred Pithora. The Chauhan king Prithviraj In 1526, Zahiruddin , a Timurid the Battle of , following which from Calcutta to Delhi, following which III was defeated in 1192 by the invader descendant of Timur and Genghis the victorious forces of Nader Shah, the a team of British architects led by Edwin Muhammad Ghori. Khan from Fergana Valley (modern day Turkic ruler of Afsharid dynasty, invaded Lutyens designed a new political and Uzbekistan), invaded India and defeated and looted Delhi, carrying away many administrative area, known as , In 1206, Qutb-ud-din Aybak, the first ruler the last Lodhi sultan in the First Battle of treasures, including the Peacock Throne. A to house the government buildings. New of the Turkic Slave Dynasty established Panipat and founded the Mughal Empire treaty signed in 1752 made Marathas the Delhi, also known as Lutyens’ Delhi, was the . Qutb-ud-din started that ruled from Delhi and for more protector of the Mughal throne at Delhi. In officially declared as the capital of the the construction the Qutub Minar and than three centuries, with a sixteen-year 1803, during the Second Anglo-Maratha Union of India after the country gained Quwwat-al-Islam (might of Islam), the hiatus during the reign of War, the forces of British East India independence on 15 August 1947. earliest extant mosque in India. After the and , from 1540 to Company defeated the Maratha forces in fall of the Slave dynasty, a succession of 1556. the Battle of Delhi, ending the Maratha rule Turkic dynasties, the Khilji dynasty, the over the city. Tughluq dynasty, the Sayyid dynasty and However, the Mughals reestablished their the Lodhi dynasty held power in the late rule after ’s army defeated Hemu medieval period, and built a sequence of during the . Shah forts and townships that are part of the Jahan built the seventh city of Delhi that seven cities of Delhi. bears his name (Shahjahanabad), and is more commonly known as the “Old City” In 1398, Timur Lenk invaded India on the or “”. The old city served as the pretext that the Turkic, Muslim sultans capital of the Mughal Empire from 1638. of Delhi were too lenient towards their After 1680, the Mughal Empire’s influence Hindu subjects. Timur entered Delhi and declined rapidly as the Hindu Maratha the city was sacked, destroyed, and left Empire rose to prominence. In 1737,

08 09 Architecture of Delhi Indian architecture took new shape The Mughals style. In fact the design of the forts. Outside the fort, he built the Jama with the advent of Islamic rule in India The Mughal rulers were visionaries and was modeled on this tomb. Masjid, the largest mosque in India. Shah towards the end of the 12th century AD. their own personalities reflected in the Jahan built the Jami Masjid at Agra in 1648 New elements were introduced into the all-round development of various arts, Architecture flourished during the reign the Wazir Khan’s mosque in Lahore in Indian architecture that included use crafts, music, building and architecture. of Akbar (1555-1605). The chief feature 1634 is another fine example of the Mughal of shapes (instead of natural forms); The Mughal dynasty was established with of the architecture of Akbar’s time was art during ’s time. However, inscriptional art using decorative lettering the victory of Babar at Panipat in 1526 the use of red sandstone. The domes were it is for the Taj Mahal, which he built as or calligraphy; inlay decoration and use AD. During his five-year reign, Babar took of the “Lodi” type, while the pillar shafts a memorial to his beloved wife, Mumtaz of coloured marble, painted plaster and considerable interest in erecting buildings, were many-sided with the capitals being Mahal, that he is most often remembered. brilliantly glazed tiles. In contrast to the though few have survived. in the form of bracket supports. One of The high point of the indigenous Indian architecture which was the first major building projects was the during the Shah Jahan’s time was the of the trabeate order i.e. all spaces were His son Humayun laid the foundation construction of a huge fort at Agra. The mellow marble that has subtle low relief spanned by means of horizontal beams, of a city called Dinpanah (“refuge of the massive sandstone ramparts of the carving, lace like jalis, exquisite inlays, the Islamic architecture was arcuate i.e. an faithful”) at the in Delhi are other impressive examples. pietra dura and calligraphy. arch or dome was adopted as a method of but the city could not be completed. The bridging a space. This amalgamation of the Mughal Empire briefly fell to the Suris in The style of Mughal architecture found Indian and the Islamic elements led to the 1540 but was re-established by Humayun expression of exceptional splendour during emergence of a new style of architecture in 1556. The Persian influence in the Emperor Shah Jahan’s reign (1628-1658). called the Indo-Islamic Architecture. Mughal architecture was largely a result of The single most important architectural Humayun’s observance of this style at the change was the substitution of marble In simple terms the Islamic architecture court of Shah Tahmasp during the period for the red sandstone. He demolished the in India can be divided into religious and of his exile. However, the Persian elements austere sandstone structures of Akbar secular. Mosques and Tombs represent could manifest and mature only several in the Red Fort and replaced them with the religious architecture, while palaces years after his death, as is evident in the marble buildings such as the Diwan-i-Am and forts are examples of secular Islamic Humayun’s Tomb at Delhi, which was and the Diwan-i-Khas. In 1638 he began architecture. Forts were essentially designed in 1564 by his widow Haji Begum to lay the city of Shahjahanabad beside functional, complete with a little township as a mark of devotion. Humayun’s Tomb the river Jamuna. The Red Fort at Delhi within and various fortifications to engage represents an outstanding landmark in the represents the pinnacle of centuries of and repel the enemy. development and refinement of the Mughal experience in the construction of palace-

10 11 M Ornamented keystone, Elphinstone Circle, Mumbai D Islamic medallion on masque’s wall, New Delhi This is a unique feature which is found in Gothic architecture, these are These are very interesting feature of Islamic architecture, found in masques ornamentation on the walls of various public buildings in Mumbai. and tombs, they vary from calligraphic pattern to geometric. This is a kind of decoration on the walls.

12 13 M Faravahar, Bora bazar D Tomb, Humayun Tomb premises, New Delhi. In architecture as the symbol of culture usages religious symbols, Faravahar In Islam there is no figure of Allah, so the use of calligraphy representing is the Zoroastrian symbol was used on one of the structure on all the side Allah can be found in maximum places. of supporting columns.

14 15 M IHS, an abbreviation for the name of Jesus Christ D Calligraphy symbols The abbreviation of Jesus Christ is only found in churches, mostly made The use of calligraphic symbol representing God is found everywhere in by Portuguese. Islamic architecture, as in mosque, tomb of forts.

16 17 M Pattern on tile, St. Thomas Cathedral, Mumbai D Islamic Patterns, Humayun’s Tomb, New Delhi Patterns doesn’t play much important part in Gothic architecture as in Organic and geometric pattern, Islamic architecture a lot and different type Islamic. This Celtic pattern plays an small part in decoration of floor. of “Jaali” as decorative and functional use of light inlet, but it gives a very unique texture as a whole.

18 19 M Arches on Elphinstone College, Mumbai. D Arches of Diwan-e-aam, Red Fort, New Delhi It was interesting to capture the arches of both the styles, they play major Arches were important in Islamic architecture, they play a vital functional role in defining the particular style in their own way. as well as decorative role. The arcade of Islamic is so very different than the Gothic arcade. The symmetry and the perfection of these gives and mystical feeling.

20 21 M Atmasingh Jessasingh Bankebihari ENT Hospital, fort area, Mumbai D Decorative wall inside Qutub complex, New Delhi One of the fine example of Gothic decorative pattern, which doesn’t play important part This standing arch in Qutub complex is one of the best example of decorative style used but as a whole has a very important role to play, in terms of detail. by Islamic architecture, it includes calligraphy as well as geometric and floral patterns on the same wall and pattern takes the major part in decoration.

22 23 M Mumbai University, Convocation Hall, Mumbai. D Bijay Mandal Fort, New Delhi Both were very similar in many ways in structure, as the curve, small and big windows but everything is so different at the same time.

24 25 M Eliphinstone College entrance D Qila-i-Kuhna Mosque entrance, Old Fort, New Delhi This was a unique feature in both the styles, the entrance, both styles decorates the entrances the most, the impressive and detailed decoration in Gothic and the feeling of mega structure in Islamic architecture is unique.

26 27 M Victorian arch, Fort area, Mumbai. D Islamic arch, Mosque of Makhdum Sabzwari, , New Delhi. Few structures pass the test of time although not maintained well but they tell the story of their existence to the present time.

27 28 M British commercial circle, Eliphinstone Circle, Mumbai. D British commercial circle, Connaught Place, New Delhi. This was the common feature in both the cities, the commercial circle, as the people were same but the use of style as well as material and technology were different according the time.

29 30 M Victoria Terminus, Mumbai. D Red Fort, Delhi. It is Gothic architecture at its best, an awesome edifice which talks about The 7th city of Delhi, built by Shah Jahan and his palace Red Fort, is the the time and period and the dominance of British power. excellent example of Mughal architecture and an evidence of power of Mughal empire in the north of India.

31 32 M Castella de Aguada (Bandra Fort), Mumbai. D Hauz Khas Fort, New Delhi. Description Description

33 34 M Gateway of India, Mumbai. D , New Delhi. Although both were built by the same ethnic group but the idea was different and purpose also, The mega structures had a common relation “Gate”, these have also become as the icons of these to different cites.

35 36 M Rajabai Tower, Mumbai. D Qutub Minar, New Delhi. The towers makes you think about the technology used in that era to build Completed in various stage but uniformity of the design stayed the same something like this, and now both stand as the symbol of their builders and its one of the unique structure in New Delhi which pulls people from courage and power. all across the world.

37 38 M Mumbai Municipal Building, Mumbai. D Humayun’s Tomb, New Delhi. It was the light and shadow which brought them together, the voids, the amount of arches, the hierarchy of dome, the vertical and horizontal lines, and the detailed work in both were the interesting to see them parallel.

39 40 M Oriental Building, Fort, Mumbai. D Begampuri Masque, New Delhi. This is a one of a kind comparison, one tall portion and lots of other The masque is surrounded by this similar kind of dome and leaves a huge subsequent shapes coming out of the building, the sharp, edgy, conical empty space in the middle for prayer. shapes which compliment as a whole, where as on the other side its all smooth, beautiful curves, bold structure.

41 42 M Mount Mary Church, Bandra, Mumbai. D Jama Masjid, Old Delhi. Description Description

43 44 M Gothic window D Islamic Jharokhas Description Description

45 46 M Caption Heading D Caption Heading Description Description

47 48 M Kenneth Eliyahoo Synagogue, Mumbai D Bangla Sahib Gurudwara, New Delhi These to structure are another important architectural style, which also Description talks about the cultural diversity of the period and nation.

49 50 M Eliphinstone College Building, Fort, Mumbai D Old Fort (Purana Quila), New Delhi The contour of these two building was interesting to compare, a lot of detail is missing in Old Fort, but one can imagine the detail work which is missing now.

51 52 M St. Thomas Cathedral D Adam Khan Tomb, Archeological park, New Delhi Although the style and era does not have any similarity but the colour was one of the important attribute to look upon, the mughals have using the red sandstone for their building, but this tomb was unique as it doesn’t ant red sandstone in it.

53 54 M Stained Glass Heading D Murals Heading My interest here was the difference in the inside decoration of the mosque With the minimal use of colour the pattern and different shapes take the and the church. Its also interesting to see how different religion and culture prime aesthetic value in the decoration. decorate their worship place.

55 56 M Mt. Mary Church interior D Qila-i-Kuhna Mosque interior, New Delhi The interest was in the comparison of the highly decorative and colourful church interior with respect to the minimal decorative interior of a mosque, calligraphy, geometric and floral patterns, carved marble stone takes place of the decorative idol, paintings and relief work.

57 58 M Mumbai High Court, Mumbai D Isa Khan Tomb, Humayun’s Tomb premises It was interesting to observe the basic differences in the two different styles of architecture as a whole, the detail, arches, columns, windows, from brick colour to the minutest detail of a pattern style differs.

59 60 Conclusion Aquate nos moditi num endanim perchicit que comnis et facculp archil magnimolenim mi, cum fugiae cus magnienti unt et quo facepta estempostis et ommolorestis dolorer ea sum nonsequam, tempossinum aceptio iaestio mo dolorunt. restruntur sequis alique dolo doloribus, Is earis nimus. Agnatquo et aut qui re re idebisciatus rero core laccab idite repere nos quae dipitat. duntiat ionseque lametur a pratet et El ea cum dolende deriate sectendit a utenimeni odis simporiate vel in eatiis et vellab ius et, omnis et reperepror aut que parcit volorempore, corectur adis et, et ne millaces simusdae quiderro moluptas dit re ipsam, essinus sitas magnis sinciet eniet evenectet id endent alicatum, accatis restiistis et, utas aut autet fugias remquam ciassitis quibusdae volora elictae. Nequas eum erumqua tiosant lab iur? Quist eos quae ne sunt quidundescid ut es sent quam susdaep erferum et utemoluptas sum qui quibeaque volupta sam restibus ent omnis dolorae nam hit, officip itatur? re cuptiur alitatatius ius. Evel et odia venieni endendes eaquam, Necturi nobit pero totaecus delluptat sequis quo bero consedi odi qui dist aut re etumquo disciatem que erum alitibe posaerio. Iciam, toribus non rem aliquas riberum ut volenihita num volor mos mini ma et alitam que ipsae niscipsa cusda ex tem estiant iissita tiantis as at ab ipsuntinis escipsam que cor ratent volor reiumquis moloriae coriorro esciae volore volor am molorro vitibus soluptae ne licaepe et re dolendest, non re ni sapienim quo rferiam expliquate remquiatur res aut magnam esequat isquia quam, que incto dis magnimaximus volenim nonectetur, tem se aliatur? conse non rem volutem porerae laborem. Et deliquidebis etur? Tas cus seque volut It acest, cus dolupta tuscil is re eum et lat occabor rehenditis evel moloreperiae peri est eumet endant eaquati busdandentis qui ommolup tatibea tiundaerupit ius ipsandis arunt que sunt as il iducipide deliqui berchil ium aut quuntiore culpa secatur? sundis doluptatio coressunt aut et pedist Ate nist, cores sa si nissequam qui nos aut volor aut accatium reperat iostiissita arum quassimolut maionse quatem si solum hil iureperum era pedit, venis est ducium rerum quiam ut in es id mossequos quostot assequia dolore ni vit ventiatet que