HOW COLONIZATION IMPACTED OUR ARCHITECTURAL STYLE

Like all other aspects, Colonization of Indian had an impact on architecture

style.
With colonization, a new chapter in Indian architecture began. The Dutch,
Portuguese and the French made their presence felt through their buildings but it
was the English who had a lasting impact on architecture.

In the beginning of the colonial rule there were attempts at creating authority

through classical prototypes. In its later phase the colonial architecture

culminated into what is called the Indo-Saracenic architecture.
The Indo-Saracenic architecture combined the features of Hindu, Islamic

and western elements. The colonial architecture exhibited itself through

institutional, civic and utilitarian buildings such as post offices, railway stations,
rest houses and government buildings.
Such buildings began to be built in large numbers over the whole empire.
Colonial architecture in India followed developments not only from metropolis

but also took inspiration from existing architecture in India.

From the mid nineteenth century it became a norm for the Anglo-Indian

church builders to follow the model set by the revivers of the many combinations
of Gothic in England.

In many cases imperialism was the sole guiding force rather than practicality.

On many occasions heavier styles than Gothic were employed. This can be seen
in the Mutiny Memorial Church at Kanpur and the last garrison church in New
Delhi.
Perhaps this was the beginning of a truly imperial style that reached its apex

at New Delhi. The great public building campaign launched in Bombay in the
second half of the nineteenth also resulted into great development of colonial
architecture.
In this phase Sir Gilbert Scotts buildings were significant products. Other

remarkable landmarks produced during this phase were William Emersons

Crawford Market, the Bombay high court and the Victoria terminus (now Shivaji
terminus).
The Victoria Terminus, once the headquarters of the Great Indian Peninsular

Railway, was the culminating masterpiece of the phase. It was increasingly hybrid
in style.
The Classical and Baroque style furthered the innovation in architecture. Its
best exponent was Walter Carnvilles Calcutta General Post Office.