History of Architecture in India Course | Prof. Pushkar Sohoni | IISER Pune

Course Details

Introduction to History of Architecture in India: A 4-Week Journey Through 5000 Years

The built environment is more than just bricks and mortar; it is a tangible record of a civilization's aspirations, beliefs, and social structures. The history of architecture in India offers a spectacular material narrative spanning five millennia, from the meticulously planned cities of the Indus Valley to the groundbreaking modernism of the 20th century. This rich tapestry tells the story of empires, religions, cultural exchanges, and artistic genius.

This detailed guide outlines a comprehensive 4-week course designed to introduce you to this vast and fascinating subject. Led by a renowned expert, the course provides a structured journey through the key periods and styles that define India's architectural heritage.

Meet Your Instructor: Prof. Pushkar Sohoni

This course is led by Prof. Pushkar Sohoni of IISER Pune, a distinguished scholar with exceptional credentials in architectural history and preservation.

• Professional Training: Trained as a professional architect from the University of Pune.
• Advanced Specialization: Holds an MS in Historic Preservation from the University of Pennsylvania.
• Expert Research: Completed his PhD from the University of Pennsylvania, focusing on late medieval and early modern architecture.
• Post-Doctoral Work: Held a post-doctoral position at the University of British Columbia.
• Published Authority: Author of numerous articles and books on architectural history and material culture.

Prof. Sohoni's unique blend of practical architectural training and deep historical scholarship ensures the course is both insightful and grounded in the reality of built forms.

Course Overview & Layout

This undergraduate-level course is structured over four intensive weeks, moving chronologically through India's architectural evolution. No prior technical knowledge is required—only a curiosity about architecture and cultural history.

About the Course: The history of architecture in India is a material narrative of aspirations, polities, and societies in the region. From the Indus Valley Civilization to the modernism of B.V. Doshi, architecture has defined periods, peoples, and regions across India. This course is a brief introduction to a history of five thousand years of architecture in India and provides a broad perspective on one aspect of material expression.

Weekly Breakdown: Your Architectural Journey

Week 1: Foundations & Early Beginnings

• Introduction to History of Architecture: Understanding methodology, materials, and meaning.
• Indus Valley Civilisation: Urban planning, drainage systems, and architecture of Harappa and Mohenjo-Daro.
• Early Historic Period: Exploration of wooden architecture (now lost) and the early rock-cut cave architecture, such as the Barabar Caves.

Week 2: The Sacred Landscape: Temples and Islamic Introduction

• Beginnings of the Temple: From rock-cut shrines to early structural temples (e.g., at Sanchi, Aihole).
• Medieval Temples: The evolution of the Nagara, Dravida, and Vesara styles. Great examples from Khajuraho, Bhubaneswar, and the Chola temples like Thanjavur.
• Islamic Architecture: Introduction of new forms, arches, and domes with the advent of Islam. Early examples like the Quwwat-ul-Islam Mosque in Delhi.

Week 3: Sultanates, Mughals, and Princely States

• Sultanate Architecture: The development of a distinct Indo-Islamic style under the Delhi Sultanate (e.g., Qutb Minar complex, tombs).
• Mughals and Rajputs: The pinnacle of Indo-Islamic architecture (Taj Mahal, Fatehpur Sikri) and the concurrent development of majestic Rajput forts and palaces (Mehrangarh, Amer).
• Princely States: Architectural patronage in kingdoms like Mysore, Hyderabad, and the Maratha Confederacy, blending local and imported styles.

Week 4: Colonial Encounters & Modern India

• Neo-Classical, Indo-Saracenic, Revival Gothic: Colonial architecture in Bombay, Madras, and Calcutta. The search for a style, from British Neoclassical to the hybrid Indo-Saracenic (Victoria Memorial, Chhatrapati Shivaji Terminus).
• Art Deco & Modern: The arrival of Art Deco in the 1930s and the early modernist movement in post-independence India.
• International and Contemporary: The work of pioneers like B.V. Doshi, Charles Correa, and the evolution of architecture in globalized, contemporary India.

Essential Reading List

To deepen your understanding, the course references two foundational texts on Indian architectural history:

Embark on this four-week journey to discover how stone, brick, and concrete have been shaped across centuries to create the incredible architectural legacy of India. This course is your gateway to understanding the stories etched in India's monuments and cities.

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