MELISSA HEBERT-JOHNSON, BLACK HAWK COLLEGE

INFUSING SOUTH ASIAN STUDIES INTO THE UNDERGRADUATE CURRICULUM

Project scope Survey of Indian architecture

emphasis on temple and monumental structures) through Mughal/Rajput period

2-3 session unit for Survey of Non-Western Art

1-2 session unit for History of Art

Desired outcomes of project Expand number and variety of structures

for use in survey Incorporate Indian architectural theory into

discussion of structures Utilize sanskrit or other local terms for

architectural elements Expand discussion of temple usage, rituals Create new discussion questions and

essay assignments

Types of structures

Stupas Jaina temples Hindu temples Mosques Tombs Forts Dwellings

Representative Monuments

Mohenjo-Daro, 2600-1750 BCE Mahastupa, Sanchi, begun 3rd century BCE, rebuilt 150 BCE Dhamek Stupa, Sarnath, 500 CE Chaitya Hall, Karli, 1st century BCE-1st century CE Vishnu Temple, Deogarh, ca 530 CE Cave-Temple of Shiva, Elephanta, c 550 Lakshmana Temple, Khajuraho, c 950 CE Kandariyā Mahādevā Temple, Khajuraho, c 1000 CE Konark Sun Temple (Black Pagoda), 13th century Parsavanath Temple, Khajuraho, c 14th-15th century CE Jain Temple of Ranakpur, Rajasthan, early 15th century Buland Darwaza and Jami Masjid complex, Fatehpur Sikri, 1572 Humayun’s Tomb, Delhi,1562  Red Fort, Delhi, 17th century Mînakshi Sundareswarar Temple, Madurai, ca 1600 Taj Mahal, Agra, 1653 Jama Masjid, Delhi, 1656 CE

Fundamentals of South Asian architecture

Vāstu śāstra Vāstu puruṣa mandala Invocations (Lord Vishvakarma) architectural principles

orientationratio/measurement

elements common to temples:mandalamandapasvimāna/śikharagharba griha

Some Themes and Points for Comparison

Geometry: circle and square Astrology Numerology Axis mundi Divine architect

Projects Short essay: Analyze the adherence of a modern Indian temple

(or Hindu/Buddhist temple in the west) for its adherence to ancient architectural principles.

Short essay: There is a contemporary movement in dwelling architecture to build according to architectural theory of the vāstu śāstra/vidya. Do you think this movement fulfills a more traditional implementation of the principles of the vāstu śāstra? Or would you characterize it as a “new age” reinterpretation?

Short essay: Choose a monument (Jaina, Buddhist, Hindu) and retroactively apply what you know of the vāstu śāstra principles to the structure.

Longer paper: Compare the theoretical architectural principles of Indian architecture with another Western architectural tradition. Are there parallels in the theoretical ideas of these two traditions? What about in their formal principles?

Primary Sources (in translation) Vāstu Shastra/Vidya

Rig VedaMayamataManasaraSamarangana SutradharaRajavallabhaVishvakarmaprakashaAparajitaprccha

Secondary Sources Chakrabarti, Vibhuti, Indian architectural

theory: contemporary uses of vastu vidya. Delhi : Oxford University, 1999.

Hardy, Adam, The temple architecture of India. Hoboken, NJ: Wiley, 2007.

Sahai, Surendra, Indian architecture:Hindu, Buddhist, and Jain. New Delhi: Prakash Books, 2006.

Timeline/Thematic Sections Indus River Valley/Harappan culture (ca 3000-1700 BCE) Vedic Period (ca 1500-500 BCE) * Maurya Period (322-185 BCE) Shunga Period (2nd- 1st centuries BCE) Andhra Period (Central & South) (50-320 CE) Kushan Period (North) (30-320 CE) Gupta Period (320-500 CE) Post-Gupta Period (550-950 CE) Early Medieval Period (900-1200 CE) Chola Period (South) (850-1250 CE) Delhi Sultanate (13th-14th centuries CE) Mughal Period (16th-18th centuries CE) Rajput Period (15th-19th centuries CE)