Culture & Sustainability; A cultural approach to the evolution of architectural development in the history of India.

Authors: Ar. Yaswanth Chandra K.¹, Ar. Gayatri Maithani², Ar. Anna John³ 

(1. Principal Landscape Architect, LiDha, 2. Principal Architect, LiDha, 3. Junior Architect, LiDha) Date of Publishing: April 6th, 2024

Abstract:

Cultural and religious significances of various Indian contexts form the ethos of their architectural vernacular built. This research paper focuses on the role of culture in sustainability and revitalization along with its impact on the Indian vernacular built. The evolution of architecture in India tracing back from the tribal settlements, the Harappa and Mohenjo-Daro civilizations to the industrial and post-industrial revolutionary architecture and new age modern architectural innovations is explored to establish the link between religion, culture and architecture with their evolution and transformation. The repercussions, direct and indirect consequences of cultural appropriation are also discussed to understand its impact on the built spaces. In addition, the global connectivity and subsequent breakdown of cultural barriers in the Indian sub continental context is explored to understand the ramifications on the global and Indian architectural front in understanding the future of “Culture”,” Sustainability” & “Architecture”. 

Introduction:

Sustainability has emerged as a prominent term in recent decades and yet, in the Indian context especially, it is an aspect that may be found in the architecture, centuries before the term itself was coined. While it is important to preserve the architectural heritage, it becomes more important to conserve them in a way that does not lose the cultural significance of the structure, and yet adapts it to suit the current scenarios sustainably. By accident or by design, the architecture of India has over the years, though influenced from various cultures, remained sustainable for the larger period of time. The people of India have lessons from the past to ponder over and they teach about how the despite the changes over the years, there is some order to the disorder and at a larger scale, the spaces all make sense and fit in together to form cohesive and functional communities.

Revitalization of the spaces aims to give new life to spaces that are otherwise looked down upon, or inadequately realized and bring back the essence of the place which is on the diminishing curve, due to rapid urban modernization. The advent and increasing pace of urbanization draws one’s attention towards the need to have sustainable and well thought out urban interventions that add to the rich culture and injects the spaces with some necessary revitalizing actions for the betterment of the community. Revitalization is a critical necessity however, while planning, one must take into careful consideration the crucial role it will play in how the space is shaped in following years.

The future of Present is in the past,

The future of Past is in the future,

The future of Future is in the present,

Ultimately, Present makes both past and future.

(Source: Sacredscape and urban heritage in India: Contestation and perspective, Singh, Rana P.B. 1997.)

Culture, Religion and Architecture in Vernacular India:

Language transcends mere spoken or written words; it embodies the thoughts that materialize in our mind’s vision. It can be conveyed through various tangible and intangible expressions. One such expression is the language of architecture, which, influenced by societal and cultural forces, stands quietly as a testament to history and a witness to the future. The architectural vernacular of India is distinct, encapsulating the nation’s historical journey, its transformations, progress, and periods of turmoil. Despite the prevalence of social ills across different epochs, the enduring philosophies of its religions have periodically revitalized and reformed society.

Architecture in India has undergone the effects of various cultures, traditions and materials alike and has seen a dynamic and visible evolution through the ages. Looking back into the past, one may see the humble beginnings of Indian architecture in the conservation texts of rural tribal settlements leading up to the infamous and evident cityscapes of Harappa and Mohenjo-Daro civilizations. Following this, cultural inferences of the longest living religion and culture of Sanathan Dharma took a strong hold on the architectural realm of the Indian subcontinent.

The basic idea of India’s heritage, which has endured since ages despite subsequent acculturation, is the common desire and search for wholeness and interrelationships among matter, life, and mind. In this regard, a theory of archetypal transformation of the celestial realm (macrocosm), on the earth as the visual and experienced reflection (mesocosm), and down to the individual temple or body symbolism (microcosm), has been developed by Indian seers. In a harmonic balance between nature and humanity, a close interconnection between all three realms is maintained.

(Source: Realizable potential but hidden problems: a heritage tale from central European Cities, Ashworth, Gregory J. 1996. Paper presented to the International Cultural Centre Conference, Krakow)

The influence and emergence of Buddhist and Jain architecture followed close on the heels of the Hindu architecture and they are one of the most ancient monastic communities of India. Buddhist art and architecture have shaped the physical and social landscapes of Indian architecture since almost two millennia. Across diverse cultures, Buddhist iconography and architectural details have been adapted and reconstituted to suit the local context, while remaining true to its principles and values.

In the period of invasions and takeovers, Mughal architecture rose predominantly across almost the entire expanse of the Indian subcontinent. Islamic architectural elements were juxtaposed onto existing architecturally rich Hindu elements and a congruence of the two became apparent in the architectural landscapes of India. This also led to the Islamic architectural spaces to be constructed in a way that accommodated traditional Hindu Vastu principles. It is in this way, that Islamic architecture conformed to the local context and propagated itself throughout the entirety of the Indian architectural arena.

Role of cultural appropriation in Indian Vernacular Built:

Cultural appropriation of Indian vernacular architecture is arguably a much contended topic for experts in the matter. Micro cultures developed their vernacular on the basis of various factors like socio-economic setup, livelihood practices and availability of resources. These vernacular styles remained sequestered and were prevented from coalescing due to various factors like lack of means of transport, inadequate communication, absence of written records, natural disasters and wars, to name a few. When invasions and colonization began, these micro cultures became adversely susceptible to the clutches of innumerable tyrannical rulers looking to expand their kingdom and it involved the expropriation of religions and cultures. The colonial architects, through their alteration and adoption of aspects of Indian culture, not only transformed the tangible environment but also affected the views regarding cultural dominance.

Elsewhere, cultural appropriation has also led to a positive spin on the existing conditions of the other extents in India. In the book ‘consuming Architecture’, author Siddharth Pandey explores the life and times of Simla which went on to become the summer capital of British India, and consequently, one of the most important towns of its age, from what was once merely described as 'a middling sized village'. It was the liberal application of particular architectural and socio-cultural principles that gave Simla its distinct English character, and helped in further popularizing the town as 'Little England'.

The ancient Indian epoch had cultural practices and directives that laid the foundation for the palatial vernacular built that we see today. Though prevalent to this day, many of these practices and directives have failed to conform and comply with modern day requirements and are simply being followed without true knowledge of the deep and profound thought put into the formation of the same. This has forced modern day architecture to be infected with cultural references contrary to being exceptionally impacted by the vernacular built.

Comprehensive decoding of post-industrial & Vernacular context of Architectural evolution in the Indian Sub-continent:

Post the cultural change and evolution that was experienced, India had its next share of her architectural and cultural flavor from the far west visitors of the Europe. The English, Spanish and the Portuguese were the prominent ones to add their fair share of architectural intervention in India. The period of invasions from the west also coincide with the period of industrial revolution. The industrial revolution marks a major evolution in all the verticals of life and so in architecture worldwide. The country has seen a cultural evolution from the very first civilization till date and a significant one during the western invasion. The details of the industrial revolution and architectural change in the country and all around the world are quite intricate and intense. However, speaking culturally, the language can be understood through various aspects such as metal structures, clear glass windows and fabrication designs that found their way into the country.

It wasn’t that the country (India) had no idea in regards with the metals and their uses. In fact, India held the secret to the extraction of zinc for over 3500 years since 1000 BCE. The interpretation can be that the cultural understanding of the materials was to have a sustainable and wise usage of materials and metals for the purpose they best serve, because for a country that has shown the word the knowledge in medicine and metallurgy and all other fields, it wouldn’t be difficult to see that sand can be turned into glass and metal can be used to create structures. Whatever the reasons might be, the sustainable aspect of the material and design had its roots well established in the cultures all over India and has been that way until the loss of understanding happened. The modern day studies made in regards with the sustainability and architecture speak highly of the way the romans, Egyptians, Indians and Asian have built grand, magnificent and large structures before the dawn of the industrial revolution. There was also no notion of construction waste or debris as the material were all well to be used and there isn’t a portion that was discarded as to the current contradictory notion of modern construction and the term of the industrial waste and construction debris.

Global Connectivity and breakdown of cultural barriers in architecture and Indian architectural context;

The architectural and cultural impact can not only be in the intrinsic and articulated details but also in the aspects beyond them. For instance, the architectural construction and design were in place in regards with the vernacularism of the materials and the culture of the community in which a built space is made which then moved to a larger radius of material procurement based on the ease and mode of transportation. This aspect led to the transportation of homes from one country to another during the late 1800’s (France to Australia and possibly worldwide) and now to an extent where the built spaces are moved and raised from one place to another and one height to another using modern technology. The question however, comes to the point of how has the culture affected sustainability in the field of architecture. Clearly the terms like embedded energy and artificial HVAC systems would answer the question whilst the aspects such as the wise usage of material and aspects of climate responsive designs are absurd as they were a norm and not a specialty requirement which it currently is.

The Sustainability and cultural impact on the architectural emphasis is a multi-layered take that has debatable interpretation as they are deeply bonded with space, tradition, practice and people at the same time. The article explores the analysis and understanding of the evolution and impact of various aspects of culture and sustainability in the field of architecture. Like someone wise (Albert Einstein) once said, I don’t know about the 3^rd world war, but in the 4^th one we would be fighting with stones and wood. Architecture has seen so much change and now the future of the same is in a way unpredictable.The culture in Indian Architectural context has now come to the Tall Buildings and skyscrapers. While there is exploration of building under water and in the air, the concepts are varied and the point has come where architecture dictates culture and now architecture itself has become a religion, unintended, in my view. The global connectivity has made it evident that there are no cultural or geological bounds for those with intent to achieve. In spite or despite of breaking down the barriers, the human tendency to preserve what’s left is something to appreciate as we clearly see the preservation measures taken globally to protect and explore the ancient technologies, while tall buildings and skyscrapers are still connected to the local culture the way we see it in the middle east.

Conclusion:

The “CULTURE”, “SUSTAINABILITY & “ARCHITECTURE” are all strong influencers that are deeply interconnected, intertwined and intricate in nature. The time has tested these three and history is the proof of how intense these elements are. The research idea explores the verticals on how the word sustainability had its value and meaning that changed in relation with the culture and architectural development through the time and space of Indian sub context. With the constantly evolving nature and world, it is high time that we as a community recognize the truthfulness of the sustainability we are talking about and how it shall soon turn into a culture, a culture that truly stands for the set of beliefs and ideals of creating a society that has a symbiotic life in harmony with the nature. The only way to advance sustainably and skillfully ahead would be to recognize the reasoning, basis and intention of the cultural and religiously influenced planning and design principles and adopt the nuances of the local context to come to an informed and pragmatic solution.

References:

1.      Sacredscape and urban heritage in India: Contestation and perspective, Singh, Rana P.B. 1997.

2.      Realizable potential but hidden problems: a heritage tale from central European Cities, Ashworth, Gregory J. 1996. Paper presented to the International Cultural Centre Conference, Krakow