India’s history, culture and religion are the roots of Indian architecture.

It is a blend of various
architectural styles most commonly are Hindu temple architecture, Indo-Islamic architecture, Indo
Saracenic architecture and many more. During the British colonial period, European styles including
neoclassical, gothic revival, and baroque became prevalent across India. The amalgamation of Indo-
Islamic and European styles led to a new style, known as the Indo-Saracenic style. After
independence, modernist ideas spread among Indian architects as a way of progressing from the
colonial culture.

Laxmi Vilas Palace – AWE INSPIRING ARCHITECTURE

The Laxmi Vilas Palace, one of the rarest and most elegant landmarks in the country, is a
must-see for anybody visiting the erstwhile princely state of Vadodara in Gujarat. Still the
residence of Vadodara’s royal family, Laxmi Vilas was built in full-throttle 19th-century Indo-
Saracenic and the main architect of this lavishly designed palace is reportedly major Charles
Mant. Apart from the convenient location of Laxmi Vilas Palace Vadodara, aside, it has
always been famed for its awe-inspiring architecture, interiors and sheer opulence as
illustrated through exterior and inside tours alike.
ARCHITECTURE
Built as the private residence for Maharaja Sayajirao Gaekwad III in 1890, Laxmi Vilas
Palace is one of India’s biggest architectural marvels. It makes use of the Indo-Saracenic
architectural style, fusing elements marvelously from Mughal, Hindu and Gothic design
styles, along with generously using minarets, domes and arches alike.
 Built in 1890, the main architect was reportedly Charles Mant while being supported by
Robert Fellows Chisholm. 12 years were required for building this imposing structure
covering 700 acres and almost four times the size of Buckingham Palace in the UK. It is one
of the biggest palaces ever constructed, accommodating numerous buildings including the
Makarpura Palace, Moti Baug Palace, Maharaja Fateh Singh Museum and Pratap Vilas
Palace among others.
While the exteriors sport an awe-inspiring design, the interiors of the palace are decked out
with superb chandeliers, mosaics and precious artworks galore.
The palace was integrated with contemporary amenities like elevators when they came into
being.
Its Darbar Hall, used for concerts and other cultural gatherings, is one of its key features
with special Venetian mosaic flooring and windows sporting Belgian stained glass.

Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Vastu

Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Vastu Sangrahalaya, originally named Prince of Wales Museum of
Western India, is a museum in Bombay (Mumbai) which documents the history of India from
prehistoric to modern times.his museum is considered as a heritage structure in Mumbai
because of its admirable architecture. The Prince of Wales Museum is one of the most significant
museums in India.
ARCHITECURE

The museum building is situated in 3 acres (12,000 m2) area, having a built up area of 12,142.23m
sq. It is surrounded by a garden of palm trees and formal flower beds.

The museum building, built of locally quarried grey Kurla basalt and buff coloured trachyte Malad
stone.

It is a three-storied rectangular structure, capped by a dome set upon a base, which adds an
additional storey in the centre of the building.

Built in the Western Indian and Indo-Saracenic style of architecture, the building accommodates a
central entrance porch, above which rises a dome, tilled and modified well "tiled in white and blue
flecks, supported on a lotus - petal base".

A cluster of pinnacles, topped with miniature domes surround the central dome. The building
incorporates features like Islamic dome with a finial along with protruding balconies and inlaid
floors, inspired by Mughal palace architecture.

The architect, George Wittet, modelled the dome on that of Golconda Fort and the inner vaulting
arches on those at the Gol Gumbaz in Bijapur.

The interior of the museum combines the columns, railings and balcony of an 18th-century Wada (a
Maratha mansion) with Jain style interior columns, which form the main body of the central pavilion
below the Maratha balcony.

In its recent modernisation programme (2008), the museum created 30,000 sq ft (2,800 m2) space
for installation of five new galleries, a conservation studio, a visiting exhibition gallery and a seminar
room, in the East Wing of the Museum.

The museum also houses a library

SOCIAL REFORMERS
Social and cultural awakenings in India was a result of Indian renaissance that was inspired by the
Western concept of reason, equality and liberty. Renaissance as a term refers to as revival/rebirth of
classics, like ideology, arts, way of life, believes, etc. In context of India it the revival of the old and in
a way a complete overhaul of the then stagnated society, a fresh start to the Indian culture and
societal ideologies and classical arts. Pioneered by Raja Rammohan Roy, who was later dubbed as
“The Father of Indian Renaissance”. The Indian Renaissance was jumpstarted the influence of the
Western thinkers.

The intelligentsia played a decisive role in the history of modern Indian nationalism by integrating
the Indian people into a modern nation and organising various progressive socio-religious reform
movements,that created the first Indian Renaissance, in the country. They, in fact, assimilated
modern Western liberal ideas with Indian’s cultural past and fully understood the problems of
rudimentary India and were the makers of modern India, one of such reformers is ‘‘Sri Ramakrishna
Paramhansa’’.
Sri Ramakrishna, who was born in 1836 and passed away in 1886, represents the very core of the
spiritual realizations of the seers and sages of India.

Sri Ramakrishna was probably the most celebrated mystic of all times.

A simple man, sometimes with childlike enthusiasm, he explained the most complex concepts of spiritual

philosophies in most simple parables, stories and anecdotes.

His words flowed from a deep sense of belief in the Divinity and his experience of embracing God in a very real

form. He directed that the ultimate goal of every living soul is God-realization.

Having practiced different facets of Hinduism as well of other religions like Islam and Christianity, he preached

that all of these religions were different paths that lead up to a single goal – God.

His conversations with his disciples were recorded by his devotee Mahendranath Gupta and the collective work

was titled as Sri Sri Ramakrishna Kathamrita (The Nectar of Sri Ramakrishna's Words).

To get rid of the thought that he belonged to a higher Brahmanical caste, he began to eat food cooked by the

shudras or lower-caste.

His influence reached all strata of the society; he did not differentiate between devotees based on caste.

He even embraced the sceptics, won them over with his simplistic charm and unselfish love.

He was a force of revival to re-energise the decaying Hinduism in nineteenth century Bengal.

His teachings also had profound effect on other religions like the Brahmoism that were forced to re-evaluate

their beliefs.

Sri Ramakrishna was probably the most celebrated mystic of all times. A simple man, sometimes with childlike

enthusiasm, he explained the most complex concepts of spiritual philosophies in most simple parables, stories
and anecdotes. His words flowed from a deep sense of belief in the Divinity and his experience of embracing

God in a very real form. He directed that the ultimate goal of every living soul is God-realization. Having

practiced different facets of Hinduism as well of other religions like Islam and Christianity, he preached that all

of these religions were different paths that lead up to a single goal – God. His conversations with his disciples

were recorded by his devotee Mahendranath Gupta and the collective work was titled as Sri Sri Ramakrishna

Kathamrita (The Nectar of Sri Ramakrishna's Words). To get rid of the thought that he belonged to a higher

Brahmanical caste, he began to eat food cooked by the shudras or lower-caste.

His influence reached all strata of the society; he did not differentiate between devotees based on caste. He

even embraced the sceptics, won them over with his simplistic charm and unselfish love. He was a force of

revival to re-energise the decaying Hinduism in nineteenth century Bengal.

His teachings also had profound effect on other religions like the Brahmoism that were forced to re-evaluate

their beliefs.

MAYANK YADAV - 200046