Class 8 Social Science (Exploring Society Part 2) Chapter 3: A Journey Through Indian Architecture

New NCERT Exploring Society: India and Beyond Part 2 · Class 8 Social Science · Part 2 · Chapter 3: A Journey Through Indian Architecture

This chapter takes a tour of India's built heritage: stupas, caves, temples, mosques, forts, tombs, houses and churches. It explains the main features of each style with examples and why we must preserve our heritage.

From the Class 8 Social Science Short Notes, made as per the new NCERT book Exploring Society: India and Beyond · Pages 102–112 of the book.

Key points

• Architecture is the art and technique of design and construction, combining useful and beautiful aspects.
• Harappan cities like Mohenjo-daro and Dholavira show the earliest known urban planning, with drains and water management.
• Stupas are dome-shaped structures housing relics of the Buddha; Sanchi's main stupa was patronised by Aśhoka.
• Rock-cut architecture includes Udayagiri–Khandagiri caves and Ajanta and Ellora, where the monolithic Kailaśha Temple was carved.
• India's monsoon climate led to water structures like Harappan wells, Shringaverpur reservoirs, stepwells such as Rani ki Vav, and temple tanks.
• Classical temples emerged in the Gupta era and follow the śhilpa śhāstra; key parts are the gopuram, maṇḍapa, garbhagṛiha, śhikhara/vimāna and prākāra.
• The Bṛihadīśhvara Temple at Thanjavur was built by Rājarāja Chola I around 1010.
• Mosques face Mecca and have domes, minarets and a mihrab; Jama Masjid, Delhi is India's largest mosque, built by Shah Jahan.
• Indo-Islamic architecture blends Islamic traditions with Indian craftsmanship: domes, arches, jālis and floral motifs.
• Forts and palaces include Mehrangarh, Agra Red Fort, Orchha and Mysuru Palace.
• Humayun's Tomb (1558) and the Taj Mahal show Mughal tomb architecture; the Taj blends Persian, Arabic and Indian features.
• Traditional houses, churches and colonial Indo-Saracenic buildings like the Madras High Court (1892) are also part of our heritage.

Key terms

• Architecture: The art and techniques of design and construction, combining functional and aesthetic aspects.
• Stupa: A dome-shaped structure housing relics of the Buddha or revered monks.
• Toraṇa: A massive ornamental gateway carved with scenes of city and village life.
• Pradakṣhiṇa: Going around in a clockwise direction.
• Garbhagṛiha: The innermost chamber of a temple holding the mūrti (image) of the deity.
• Cenotaph: A memorial to a person who is not buried there.
• Mausoleum: A grand building housing a tomb or tombs, for rulers, royals or mystics.
• Indo-Saracenic: A colonial style of the British Raj blending Islamic, Hindu and Gothic elements.

Diagrams to learn

• Timeline of structures in this chapter
• Fig 3.2 Parts of a stupa (Sanchi)
• Fig 3.5 Cross-section of a stepwell (vāv)
• Table: parts of a temple
• Fig 3.6 Main parts of a temple (Bṛihadīśhvara plan)
• Fig 3.8 Śhikhara (north) and vimāna (south)
• Fig 3.9 Main features of a mosque
• Table: Taj Mahal: Persian, Arabic and Indian features

A real page from the book

Frequently asked questions

What are the main parts of a Hindu temple?

The main parts are the gopuram or toraṇa (entrance), maṇḍapa (pillared hall), garbhagṛiha (innermost chamber with the deity's image), śhikhara or vimāna (tower) and prākāra (enclosure wall).

What is the difference between śhikhara and vimāna?

Both are the tower above the garbhagṛiha. It is called śhikhara in north Indian temples and vimāna in south Indian temples.

What is Indo-Islamic architecture?

It combines Islamic building traditions with Indian craftsmanship, using domes, pointed and corbelled arches, jālis and floral motifs. In Rajasthan it also includes jharokhās and chhatrīs.

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