Chapter: 10. Architectural Heritage Of India
Architectural Heritage of India
Let’s Explore India’s Heritage!
Welcome to an exciting journey into the rich architectural heritage of India! In this self-study document, you will learn all about the amazing history and magnificent structures that our ancestors built. Get ready to discover the beauty and stories behind India’s famous buildings and monuments.
You will learn about the vast heritage of India. You will explore important buildings and monuments across India.
Key Terms to Remember
To understand India’s heritage better, let’s learn some important words:
Architecture: This is the art and science of designing and constructing buildings. It’s how people create amazing structures! Heritage: This refers to the valuable buildings, practices, traditions, and knowledge that have been passed down to us from older generations, like our grandparents and great-grandparents. Monuments: These are important buildings, statues, or other structures built to commemorate a person or event, or that are historically significant. UNESCO’s World Heritage Sites: These are special places or areas officially recognized by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) for their outstanding universal value to humanity. These sites are protected and preserved.
Understanding India’s Rich Heritage
India is a land of incredible history and variety! It has a mix of:
Magnificent buildings and monuments All of these amazing things together form the heritage of India. This heritage has been carefully passed down to us by our ancestors – the people in our family who lived a long time ago.
Heritage can be divided into three main types:
Material Heritage: These are physical things you can touch and see. Examples: Buildings, coins, paintings, books, clothes. Non-Material Heritage: These are practices and traditions that are not physical objects. Examples: Music, customs, dance, language, religion, science and technology. Natural Heritage: These are parts of the natural world that are valuable and worth preserving. Examples: Mountains, rivers, lakes, deserts, wildlife, and forests.
Important Monuments in India
The art of making buildings is called architecture. Our ancestors were brilliant architects and built many beautiful buildings which we now call monuments. India is home to countless stunning monuments. Let’s learn about some of them.
The Taj Mahal
Purpose: It is a beautiful tomb. Builder: Built by the Mughal Emperor, Shah Jahan. In Memory Of: His wife, Mumtaz Mahal. Material: Made of sparkling white marble. Features: Has large, well-kept gardens with flowing water channels. Special Status: It is recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
The Red Fort
Location: Delhi, which was the capital city of the Mughals. Located At: The banks of river Yamuna. Builder: Built by the Mughal Emperor, Shah Jahan. Material: Constructed with striking red sandstone. Importance: Every year on Independence Day, the Prime Minister of India hoists the national flag and addresses the people from here. Special Status: Declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2007.
The Sanchi Stupa
The Sanchi Stupa is a very important Buddhist monument. It is one of the oldest stone structures in India and a significant example of ancient Indian architecture.
The Dilwara Temples
Location: Near Mount Abu in Rajasthan. Significance: They are a sacred place for Jains (followers of Jainism). Material: Built of pristine white marble. Features: Known for their incredibly beautiful and intricate carvings on the pillars, ceiling, and panels.
The Meenakshi Temple
Location: Madurai in Tamil Nadu. It has four magnificent gateway towers called gopurams. These gopurams are elaborately decorated with sculptures of gods, animals, and legendary creatures. The large temple complex also features many large pillared halls.
The Konarak Sun Temple
Shape: This magnificent temple is shaped like a giant chariot. It has 24 wheels, beautifully carved. It is pulled by 7 horses. These features are believed to represent the seven days of the week and the 24 hours of the day. FactPedia: Konarak’s Name
The name ‘Konarak’ comes from two words: ‘Kona’ which means ‘corner’. So, Konarak means ‘Corner of the Sun’.
Other Important Monuments in Delhi
Delhi, the capital of India, is home to several other historically significant structures:
This grand building is the official residence of the President of India. It is the tallest stone minaret (a tall, slender tower) in India. It is primarily made of red sandstone. This is the largest mosque in India. It was also built by Emperor Shah Jahan.
The Golden Temple
Importance: It is the most important Gurudwara (Sikh place of worship) for Sikhs.
Other Important Monuments Across India
India boasts many more significant architectural wonders:
Description: A beautiful marble building. Purpose: Built in the memory of Queen Victoria. Significance: Represents the ceremonial entrance of the British to India. The Brihadeshwara Temple: Builder: Built by the Cholas. Age: It is over 1000 years old! FactPedia: Vangchhia
Location: Vangchhia in Mizoram. Significance: It is believed to have been the site of an ancient city. Status: Archaeologists are still digging and researching to find out more about this historical site.
Natural Heritage Sites in India
Besides man-made monuments, India is blessed with incredible natural beauty that is also part of its heritage. Some important natural heritage sites include:
Kaziranga National Park in Assam Manas Wildlife Sanctuary in Assam Kanchenjunga National Park in Sikkim The Sunderbans in West Bengal India’s Non-Material Heritage
India’s heritage isn’t just about buildings and natural places; it also includes rich cultural practices and traditions:
Hindustani classical music Languages: Indians speak 22 different official languages, along with many others. Religions: People follow a variety of different religions.
Protecting Our Heritage
Many of India’s UNESCO World Heritage Sites and other ancient monuments are very old and are slowly wearing down. Unfortunately, some tourists do not respect these sites and litter or carve their names on the walls.
It is very important that we value these magnificent monuments and buildings. We must ensure that they are properly maintained, protected, and taken care of so that future generations can also enjoy and learn from them.
Green Earth: The Living Roots Bridge
Uniqueness: This is a bridge that is not built by humans using materials like wood or metal, but grown naturally! How it’s formed: It’s grown from a special type of tree whose roots not only grow underground but also above the ground. Construction: These strong roots are carefully interwoven by people with sticks and stones over a water body. Durability: The amazing thing is that these bridges last for as long as the trees they come from live, sometimes for hundreds of years! Current Use: People in Meghalaya still use these living bridges to cross streams even today.
In a Nutshell: Chapter Summary
Here’s a quick recap of what you’ve learned about India’s amazing heritage:
Our heritage is a precious gift, passed down to us by our ancestors. Material heritage includes all the physical things like buildings, paintings, coins, clothes, and books. Non-material heritage covers our rich cultural aspects such as music, dance, customs, and language. Natural heritage refers to the beautiful natural environments, including our forests, hills, mountains, lakes, and deserts. It is our duty to respect and look after our heritage so it can be preserved for generations to come.
Self Study
