Sikh Architecture[edit]

Further information: Sikh architecture

In the August 1604 CE the construction of the Harmandir Sahibthe holiest shrine of the Sikh religionwas completed.

Sikh Architecture is a style of architecture that is characterized with values of progressiveness, exquisite intricacy,
austere beauty and logical flowing lines. Due to its progressive style, it is constantly evolving into many newly
developing branches with new contemporarystyles. Although Sikh architecture was initially developed within Sikhism its
style has been used in many non-religious buildings due to its beauty. 300 years ago, Sikh architecture was
distinguished for its many curves and straight lines; Shri Keshgarh Sahib and the Sri Harmandir Sahib (Golden Temple)
are prime examples.

European colonial architecture[edit]

As with the Mughals, under European colonial rule, architecture became an emblem of power, designed to endorse the
occupying power. Numerous European countries invaded India and created architectural styles reflective of their
ancestral and adopted homes. The European colonizers created architecture that symbolized their mission of conquest,
dedicated to the state or religion.[27]
The British, French, Dutch and the Portuguese were the main European powers that colonized parts of India. [28] [29]

British Colonial Era: 1615 to 1947[edit]

For more details on this topic, see Category: British colonial architecture in India.
The British arrived in 1615 and over the centuries, gradually overthrew the Maratha and Sikh empires and other small
independent kingdoms. Britain was present in India for over three hundred years and their legacy still remains through
some building and infrastructure that exist in their former colonies. [30]
The major cities colonized during this period were Madras, Calcutta, Bombay, Delhi, Agra, Bankipore, Karachi, Nagpur,
Bhopal and Hyderabad.[31][29]
St Andrews Kirk, Madras is known for its colonial architecture. The building is circular in form and is sided by two
rectangular sections one is the entrance porch. The entrance is lined with twelve colonnades and two British lions and
motto of East India Company engraved on them. The interior holds sixteen columns and the dome is painted blue with
decorated with gold stars.[32]
The staple of Madras was Fort St. George, a walled squared building adjacent to the beach. Surrounding the fort was
White Town settlement of British and Indian area Black Town later to be called Georgetown.
Black Town described in 1855 as "the minor streets, occupied by the natives are numerous, irregular and of various
dimensions. Many of them are extremely narrow and ill-ventilated ... a hallow square, the rooms opening into a
courtyard in the centre."[33]
Garden houses were originally used as weekend houses for recreational use by the upper class British. Nonetheless,
the garden house became ideal a full-time dwelling, deserting the fort in the 19th Century. [34]
Calcutta Madras and Calcutta were similar bordered by water and division of Indian in the north and British in the
south. An Englishwoman noted in 1750 "the banks of the river are as one may say absolutely studded with elegant
mansions called here as at Madras, garden houses." Esplanade-row is fronts the fort with lined palaces. [35][36]
Indian villages in these areas consisted of clay and straw houses, later transformed into a metropolis of brick and
stone.[37]
The Victoria Memorial in Calcutta, is the most effective symbolism of British Empire, built as a monument in tribute to
Queen Victorias reign. The plan of the building consists of one large central part covered with a larger dome.
Colonnades separate the two chambers. Each corner holds a smaller dome and is floored with marble plinth. The
memorial stands on 26 hectares of garden surrounded by reflective pools. [38]

French: 1673 to 1954[edit]

The French colonized a fishing village (Pondicherry) in Tamil Nadu and transformed it into a flourishing port-town. The
town was built on the French grid pattern and features neat sectors and perpendicular streets and divided into two
sectors, French Quarter (Ville Blanche) and the Indian quarter (Ville Noire). French styled villas were styled with long
compounds and stately walls, lined houses with verandas, large French doors and grills. Infrastructure such as banks,
police station and Pondicherry International Port still hold the French presence.