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International Journal of Civil Engineering and Technology (IJCIET)

Volume 10, Issue 1, January 2019, pp.364–371, Article ID: IJCIET_10_01_034


Available online at http://www.iaeme.com/IJCIET/issues.asp?JType=IJCIET&VType=10&IType=1
ISSN Print: 0976-6308 and ISSN Online: 0976-6316

©IAEME Publication Scopus Indexed

THE CONCEPTS AND PHILOSOPHY OF


INDIAN ARCHITECTURE
A. B. Ahmad
General Studies Department,
Malaysian Institute of Chemical Engineering Technology,
University Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia

Wan Kamal Mujani


Faculty of Islamic Studies, National University of Malaysia, Malaysia

M. Salleh & R. Othman


General Studies Department,
Malaysian Institute of Chemical Engineering Technology,
University Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia

ABSTRACT
Generally, architecture can be termed as a field of art in building, a structure
designed by human beings. Therefore, the grandeur and the height of a civilization is
measured by the buildings it left behind which include religious buildings. This can be
seen through Indian architecture that appeared as a result of the emergence of
Buddhism and Hinduism. Between the main objectives of this study is to discuss the
concept, goals and philosophy found in the architecture of India. In addition, the study
also discusses the characteristics and elements of Indian architecture made up of
Buddhist and Hindu architecture that has influenced some of the architecture of other
buildings in the world. In this writing, the authors used qualitative methodology
focusing on research on the analysis of documents and observations. The finding
shows that the concept and philosophy of Indian architecture has been largely
influenced by nation and world civilization. The study also identified the characters
and elements. system along the western coast of India.
Key words: Architecture, Building, Buddhism, Character, Concept, Elements;
Hinduism, Indian, and Philosophy.

Cite this Article: A. B. Ahmad, Wan Kamal Mujani, M. Salleh and R. Othman, The
Concepts and Philosophy of Indian Architecture, International Journal of Civil
Engineering and Technology (IJCIET), 10 (1), 2019, pp. 364–371.
http://www.iaeme.com/IJCIET/issues.asp?JType=IJCIET&VType=10&IType=1

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The Concepts and Philosophy of Indian Architecture

1. INTRODUCTION
Indian architecture has its own uniqueness which gives a huge impact on the development of
the architecture of religious buildings. It has its own goals, concepts and philosophy in the
context of interaction between religion and humans. In this writing, the authors also debated
the theory and the characteristics of the architecture of India, which forms the basis for the
construction of a building especially buildings for worship or temples in the Indian
community. It includes elements like Vedika, Torana, Stambhas and etc. described in this
writing, including, the symbols and carvings that decorate buildings that added to the
uniqueness and greatness of engravers of the time.

2. OBJECTIVE OF THE STUDY


Among the objectives of this study were:
a. To explain the concept of Indian architecture and philosophy of religious buildings.
b. To identify the characteristics and elements of Indian architecture that influenced the
architecture in the world civilization.

3. THE REVIEW OF METHODOLOGY


In this study, the qualitative method was used to that focus on methods of data collection and
data analysis. Both the formulation are more suitable to be used as a review of the materials
examined by using the data. The authors used data collection in setting up research and
observations followed by the method of content analysis. Methods of observations help the
writers to see a religious building by using methods of photography. The use of this method
helps the authors to make a clarification and study in depth.

4. ARCHITECTURAL TERMINOLOGY
The architecture has a very wide meaning based on the concept, characteristics and goals as
highlighted by academicians, architects and professionals. However, the architecture of many
are associated with the administration in a country that makes the architecture as a model or a
landmark in a national administration. Definition of architecture can be categorized to the
meaning of art and construction. Art is originally a Latin word that is focused to the hands or
carving. This very broad definition used in medieval specifically concerned to hands or
technical activities and carving [1].
BoukwkundigeEncyclopedia describes that art is to erect buildings with taking into
account the aesthetic that represent aspects that cannot be separated. Therefore, a building is
generally influenced by aspects of beauty as a whole.
The meaning of architecture is defined in the Oxford Dictionary as anarchitecture is one
of arts in design in a building including the appearance of a building style [2].
David Leatherbarrow and Mohsen Mostafavi said that an architecture comprised of
traditional architecture, history or modern architecture that is related to factors of typology by
using mechanical methods. The architecture based on material used primarily affecting the
concept of space [3].

5. HISTORY OF INDIAN ARCHITECTURE


India is a country that a famous for its Indus River Valley civilization and human history.
Apart from the famous Indus and Gangga River, the nation is renamed for its Hinduism ritual
and practices. Hence, a lot of its building are constructed based on the and the Hindu religion
symbols and beliefs. In addition, the birth of Buddhism in India has also immensely
contributed to the influence in architecture designs in regional and other structure.

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A. B. Ahmad, Wan Kamal Mujani, M. Salleh and R. Othman

The architecture grew as a result of the influence of Buddhism and then followed by the
Hindu religion. Historically, early Buddhism in fact is more advanced the Hindu religion.
This is because the role was played by the ruler had changed the circumstances during which
a Hindu King Asoka professed Buddhism [4]

6. THE GOAL OF THE INDIAN ARCHITECTURE


In India, there are temples that are still intact even though they are already hundreds of years
old. The temples serve as a place of worship and also as reverence for ancestors through death
rituals. In accordance with its functions the temples are also decorated with statues of gods
which shows its uniqueness and symbol as buildings of religion.
There are several goals in Hindu architecture such as meeting the needs of human beings
as creatures who socialize and interact. Therefore, there are many religious worship buildings
built in India as a symbol of cultural interaction and the Indian community. The architecture
of India is the pride and symbol of Indians. It is similar to other nations that upheld the
elements of religious architecture as a superiority and greatness the uniqueness of the face of
civilization [5].

7. THE CONCEPTS AND PHILOSOPHY OF INDIAN ARCHITECTURE


In discussing the concept of Indian architecture, the authors had referred to the religion and
belief in the Indian community. This concept is focused on Buddhism and Hinduism which
have already been around centuries, beginning with the worship of animals, cattle and also the
worship of natural environment [6].
Hinduism is the most worshipped religion compared to other religions in India. This
religion contains values of spiritual, moral and legislation as well as the principles and
customs that govern Hindu society as a whole.
According to the Hindu religion, there are quite a number of Gods with each one having
its own natural strength which gives benefits and also danger to humans including water, fire,
river and the mountain. The objects are treated as a God who can provide help. These forms
are considered to have spirit and soul with power. Therefore, devotees have a reason to make
statues in temples to worship them as if the statues are alive and conscious. Hinduism
worshipers rubbed the statues with oil and smoke them are with fragrant.
Philosophically, the temples receive attention from the people and are granted as gift from
the rich to the common people. Hindu religion grew and built variety of schools of thought in
its development until it was stated in Sangam poems that recounted themes relating to the
environment. The construction of the temple was also very closely related to the theme as
many temples were built in coastal areas and mountains [7].
In addition, Hindu beliefs claim that people are associated with the flowers used in
worship. Therefore, the authors observed temples carved with images around flowers such as
lotus were built to represent Gods who are connected with nature.
To generally explain the concept of Buddhist architecture is rather difficult for the
authors. The concept of Buddhist art is related to the concept of Buddhism itself. Buddhism
originates from India and the founder was Gautama Siddhartha. In this religion, there are
numerous concepts and are very difficult to describe. It deliberates on human existence,
especially the philosophy of life, the question of morality and the family. The word Buddha
was retrieved from Sanskrit, Buddha, which means waking up, an enlightenment away from
the light of truth. It has its own secret book Tripataka which means Three Baskets that has its
own teachings. [8]

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The Concepts and Philosophy of Indian Architecture

Today, there are two main sects in Buddhism, Theravada Sect which means small vehicle
and Mahayana Sect which means large vehicle. Both denominations were called based on the
number of followers and their influence. For example, a small vehicle has few followers and
vice versa [9]. In Buddhism, there are four ‘truths’ known as ‘the Four Noble Truth
Philosophy’ which emphasizes Dukka (sad), Samudaya (the reasons for sadness), Nirodha
(destruction) and Magga (eight roads heading towards the formation of morality).
In Buddhist philosophy, the Stambha (the cause), is an Indian symbol known as the statue
of a lion. There are photos and writings describing the teachings of Buddha at the statue.
Stambha in Banares was the first place Buddha delivered a sermon and there were four lions
indicating that Buddhism will spread around the world. The elephant symbolizes the
revelation of the Buddha in his body, while the cow is a symbol of birth and the horse is the
ultimate servitude. There is also the lotus as a symbol of the sun indicating perfection.
In the human mind, Buddha made the lotus as a symbol in the thoughts of a person. This
is because the lotus has fruit when it blooms. Every human being like the lotus contains the
seed of Buddha and a blooming flower is as mentioned before. That is why pillars erected by
Asoka have lotus as the symbol of Buddhism [10].
Based on the authors’ point of view, Buddhism is growing and has a major influence in
rural India as the Hindu teachings contain injustice and favours the Brahmin and Ksyatria and
assume that only these people can reach Nirwana. The reason of this is what brought the
spread of Buddhism around the world and which lead to the existence several of forms of
architecture as a result of the influence of the religion[11].

8. CHARACTERISTICS AND ELEMENTS IN THE ARCHITECTURE


OF INDIA
There are 4 theories of architecture which can be put forth by the authors through
observational study and literature review. They are as follows:

8.1. Trabeate System Theory


Trabeate system is used extensively that is by using the vertical and horizontal beam system
[12].

8.2. Cosmology Theory


Basic concepts of temple building were dominated by the temple builders. From the Brahman
who have power to determine and planning of a temple. This group also determined the
selection of the depth of the soil, the thickness of a wall or pillar in terms of mythological and
astronomical aspects. In the theory of cosmology of Hindu, the society is the centre of the
universe based at Mount Meru. Meru is considered as the House of the Lord governed by
Indra. There are temples in India that have a tower structure placed at a sacred place and the
conservation work is carried out by the Brahmin.

8.3. Theory of the Rectangular and Circles Usage


There are two main forms used in the theory of architecture which are circles and rectangular.
Hinduism chooses the circle to represent change or movement. While the rectangular in terms
of the Mandala is a symbol that meets aspirations as set out in the chart of Hindu architecture.
Brahma as the Lord is at the centre of the home while the other Gods are placed at every
corner.

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A. B. Ahmad, Wan Kamal Mujani, M. Salleh and R. Othman

8.4. Human Measurement Theory


The use of human measurement theory in architecture was explored by Hindu architects prior
to Learnado da Vinci and Le Corbuser. The human measurement system known as
Vastupurshamandala (the magic charts).
Based on the above characteristics, there are elements that are on a temple namely:
a. GrabhaGribha (sacred space contained the main deity).
b. Vimana (tower appearing above the roof) GrabhaGriha.
c. AntradaMandupa (four in terms of space).
d. Mandupa (hall of worship).
e. Stambhas (pillars monumental task containing carvings of sacred Buddhist verses).
f. Vedika (the fence that surrounds the sacred area).
g. Tarona (gateway).
h. Sikhara (The roof has a crown’s).
i. Carving and decoration featuring carvings of animals, flora fauna and humans[13].

9. FINDING OF RESEARCH
Author’s observations through the study, discovered the equation elements which affect
mainly Islamic architecture in the design of the mosque. Between identified elements was
found is the design of the roof, Stambhas, Torona and also a form of sculpture-sculpture on
the building of mosques in Muslim countries even in architecture to date[14-31].
The concept and philosophy of Indian architecture plan shows that the sanctity is hugely
influential in the design of religious buildings. The religious symbols are also prevalent
among the Indian community. The command symbol include was that are revered as holy;
lotus flowers that depict beauty, fertility and wisdom; and elephants that are worshipped as a
reincarnation of God, that are strong and courageous [32-50].

10. CONCLUSION
Overall, Indian architecture has influenced other world civilizations. The distinctive features,
concepts and philosophies display that Indian architecture has close connection to God, the
environment and mankind. The architectural designs reveal that religious buildings or other
structures have been influenced by cross-culture and historical background of the world’s
civilization.

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
This research was carried out under Project GP-K006407 and Project GIP-2018-002. The
authors would like to thank the Research and Instrumentation Management Centre (CRIM),
UKM and The Ministry of Education, Malaysia for funding this research.

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