Page 27 - (DK Eyewitness) Travel Guide - India

A POR TR AIT OF INDIA  25

Islamic Architecture Mosques and
An onion-shaped tombs represent
Chhatri (domed dome surmounts the an imported
rooftop pavilion) central space. tradition that was
Intricate jalis absorbed into
Indian archi-
Minaret
tecture. Mosques Mihrab, Bidar Mosque
Plinth have domed (see p549)
prayer halls at one end of an open
courtyard. The mihrab (arched niche)
faces west, towards Mecca. The Mughals
introduced the garden tomb, raised on a
high plinth in the centre of a charbagh, an
enclosed garden divided into four quarters.
Decorative elements include Persian and
Arabic calligraphy, geometric patterns
Taj Mahal (see pp176–9), the zenith of Islamic architecture and floral motifs, typical of Islamic art.
Gurdwaras Churches
The Sikh gurdwara, a prayer chamber where Though church
the Granth Sahib, or Holy Book, is housed, is arch itecture in Kerala Tower with thin
often roofed with a dome flanked by arcades. predates the arrival of tapering steeple
Based on the late-Mughal style prevailing in Europeans, most Christian
North India in the 18th century, gurdwaras places of worship, such Pointed
blend Islamic and Hindu architectural styles. as those in Goa (see arched
pp500–501), are built
Gold-plated The prayer in European styles. A windows
dome chamber
houses the common design has a
Holy Book. Neo-Classical portico Entrance
topped with a tapering
steeple. Many Indian
churches are also built in
a Neo-Gothic style, such
as the Afghan Memorial
Church of St John the
Evangelist (see p451). Afghan Memorial
The Golden Temple in Amritsar (see pp110–11) Church, Mumbai

Kalasha (pot finial)
Amalaka Pot finial
Jagamohana Conical Wooden
(assembly hall) Deul (temple spire) roof screen

Metal
tiles Brass bells

The Mukteshvara Temple (see p311) Kerala’s temples, such as the one at Ettumanur
typifies Odisha’s temple architecture. (see p642), have a distinctive form. The sanctums
The sanctuary has a curving spire are often circular with roofs of sloping tiers of
(deul) and an adjoining assembly metal sheets or terracotta tiles. Carved woodwork
hall (jagamohana). and murals embellish the structure.

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