Architecture of Telangana

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The Ramappa Temple was built by the Kakatiyas, c. 1213 Ramappa Temple (Human Scale).jpg
The Ramappa Temple was built by the Kakatiyas, c. 1213
Kakatiya Kala Thoranam Warangal fort.jpg
Kakatiya Kala Thoranam

The architecture of Telangana dates back over two thousand years. The Indian state of Telangana is in the Deccan plateau, bordering the coastal plain of Andhra Pradesh. It has produced regional variants of wider styles of Indian architecture, both in Hindu temple architecture and Indo-Islamic architecture.

Contents

Buddhist architecture

The Nelakondapalli stupa belongs to the Buddhist period. It is located on the edge of the coastal plain. ASI excavations in recent decades have found remains of a typical monastic complex, and a few works of art. The site seems to have remained active until the 6th century AD.

Hindu temple architecture

Chalukya

The 7th-century Navabrahma Temples at Alampur were built by the Badami Chalukayas.

Kakatiya

The Warangal Fort, Ramappa Temple, Kota Gullu and Thousand Pillar Temple [1] are the best examples of Kakatiya architecture. [2] [3]

Indo-Islamic architecture

The Charminar in Hyderabad was built by the Golconda Sultanate, 1591 Charminar-Pride of Hyderabad.jpg
The Charminar in Hyderabad was built by the Golconda Sultanate, 1591
One of the Qutb Shahi tombs. Tomb of Muhammad Quli Qutb Shah.jpg
One of the Qutb Shahi tombs.

Golconda Sultanate

The architecture of the Golconda Sultanate is very similar to that of other Deccan Sultanates. This Indo-Islamic style is unique to the states of Telangana, Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka and Maharashtra. The ruins of the Golconda Fort is the earliest example. [4] [5] They built elaborate tombs and mosques out of mortared stone.

The 16th-century Charminar, a centerpiece of Hyderabad, is a mosque with four minarets at four corners, elaborately decorated with stucco work. It stands at the confluence of four roads. It overlooks the Mecca Masjid, one of the largest mosques in India. [6]

The Qutb Shahi tombs at Hyderabad contain the tombs of the sultans, other royals and important noblemen. Other examples include the Toli Mosque, Khairtabad Mosque and Taramati Baradari.

Colonial architecture

Falaknuma Palace Falaknuma Palace 01.jpg
Falaknuma Palace

During the British colonial period, Telangana was ruled by the Nizams of Hyderabad. The seat of the Nizam was Chowmahalla Palace, which showcases a wide variety of Indian and European styles.

Neoclassical

The British Residency [7] and Falaknuma Palace in Hyderabad built in the neoclassical style is another great example of this period.

Art Deco

Art deco buildings in Hyderabad include the Monda Market and SBH Building. [8]

Indo-Saracenic

The High Court, City College, Osmania General Hospital and Kacheguda Railway Station in Hyderabad were designed by British architect Vincent Esch in the Indo-Saracenic style of architecture. The Moazzam Jahi market, although not designed by him, is clearly inspired from Esch's designs.[ citation needed ]

Post-Independence

Building built in contemporary styles are common in the HITEC City and surrounding neighborhoods of Hyderabad. IIT Hyderabad is also designed in contemporary style by Christopher Benninger.

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Deccan sultanates</span> Former states in India

The Deccan sultanates were five late-medieval Indian kingdoms—on the Deccan Plateau between the Krishna River and the Vindhya Range—that were ruled by Muslim dynasties: namely Ahmadnagar, Berar, Bidar, Bijapur, and Golconda. The sultanates had become independent during the break-up of the Bahmani Sultanate. The five sultanates owed their existence to the declaration of independence of Ahmadnagar in 1490, followed by Bijapur and Berar in the same year. Golconda became independent in 1518, and Bidar in 1528.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Charminar</span> Monument in India

The Charminar is a monument located in Hyderabad, Telangana, India. Constructed in 1591, the landmark is a symbol of Hyderabad and officially incorporated in the emblem of Telangana. The Charminar's long history includes the existence of a mosque on its top floor for more than 425 years. While both historically and religiously significant, it is also known for its popular and busy local markets surrounding the structure, and has become one of the most frequented tourist attractions in Hyderabad. Charminar is also a site of numerous festival celebrations, such as Eid-ul-adha and Eid al-Fitr, as it is adjacent to the city's main mosque, the Makkah Masjid.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Telangana</span> State in southern India

Telangana is a landlocked state in India situated on the south-central stretch of the Indian peninsula on the high Deccan Plateau. It is the eleventh-largest state and the twelfth-most populated state in India as per 2011 census. On 2 June 2014, the area was separated from the northwestern part of Andhra Pradesh as the newly formed state of Telangana, with Hyderabad as its capital.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Qutb Shahi dynasty</span> Rulers of Golconda Fort

The Qutb Shahi dynasty was a Persianate Shia Islamic dynasty of Turkoman origin that ruled the Sultanate of Golkonda in southern India. After the collapse of Bahmani Sultanate, the Qutb Shahi dynasty was established in 1512 AD by Sultan-Quli Qutb-ul-Mulk, better known though less correctly referred to in English as "Quli Qutb Shah".

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Golconda</span> 11th-century citadel in Telangana, India

Golconda is a fortified citadel and ruined city located in the western outskirts of Hyderabad, Telangana, India. The fort was originally built by Kakatiya ruler Pratāparudra in the 11th century out of mud walls. It was ceded to the Bahmani Kings by Deo Rai, Rajah of Warangal during the reign of Sultan Muhammad Shah of the Bahmani Sultanate. Following the death of Sultan Mahmood Shah, the Sultanate disintegrated and Sultan Quli, who had been appointed as the Governor of Hyderabad by the Bahmani Kings, fortified city and made it the capital of the Golconda Sultanate. Because of the vicinity of diamond mines, especially Kollur Mine, Golconda flourished as a trade centre of large diamonds known as Golconda Diamonds. Golconda fort is currently abandoned and in ruins. The complex was put by UNESCO on its "tentative list" to become a World Heritage Site in 2014, with others in the region, under the name Monuments and Forts of the Deccan Sultanate.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Taramati Baradari</span> Caravan Station in Telangana, India

Taramati Baradari is a historical sarai as part of Ibrahim Bagh, a Persian style garden built during the reign of Ibrahim Quli Qutub Shah, the fourth Sultan of Golconda.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Qutb Shahi tombs</span> Necropolis in Hyderabad

The Qutub Shahi Tombs are located in the Ibrahim Bagh, close to the famous Golconda Fort in Hyderabad, India. They contain the tombs and mosques built by the various kings of the Qutub Shahi dynasty. The galleries of the smaller tombs are of a single storey while the larger ones are two storied. In the centre of each tomb is a sarcophagus which overlies the actual burial vault in a crypt below. The domes were originally overlaid with blue and green tiles, of which only a few pieces now remain.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Toli Masjid</span> Mosque in Hyderabad, India

Toli Masjid, also known as Damri Masjid, is a mosque in Hyderabad, in the Indian state of Telangana. It was constructed during the Qutb Shahi period and completed in 1671.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Culture of Hyderabad</span> Overview of the culture of Hyderabad (India)

The culture of Hyderabad, also known as Hyderabadi Tehzeeb or Dakhini Tehzeeb, is the traditional cultural lifestyle of the Hyderabadi Muslims, and characterizes distinct linguistic and cultural traditions of North and South India, which meet and mingle in the city and erstwhile kingdom. This blending was the result of the geographic location of the region and the variety of historical dynasties that ruled the city across different periods—its inception by the Qutub Shahi dynasty in 1591 AD, the occupation by the Mughal Empire and its decline, and the patronage under the Asaf Jahi dynasty.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Warangal Fort</span> Building in Telangana, India

Warangal Fort is located in Warangal District, Telangana, India. It was the capital city of Kakatiya dynasty and Musunuri Nayakas. It appears to have existed since at least the 12th century when it was the capital of the Kakatiyas. The fort has four ornamental gates, known as Kakatiya Kala Thoranam, that originally formed the entrances to a now ruined great Shiva temple. The Kakatiyan arch has been adopted and officially incorporated into the emblem of Telangana after the bifurcation of Andhra Pradesh. The fort is included in the "tentative list" of UNESCO World Heritage Site and was submitted by the Permanent Delegation of India to UNESCO on 10/09/2010.

Hyderabad was the capital of the Indian states of Telangana and Andhra Pradesh. It is a historic city noted for its many monuments, temples, mosques and bazaars. A multitude of influences has shaped the character of the city in the last 400 years.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">History of Telangana</span>

The history of Telangana, located on the high Deccan Plateau, includes its being ruled by the Satavahana Dynasty, the Kakatiya Dynasty (1083–1323), the Musunuri Nayaks (1326–1356), the Delhi Sultanate, the Bahmani Sultanate (1347–1512), Golconda Sultanate (1512–1687) and Asaf Jahi dynasty (1724-1950).

The Telangana State Tourism Development Corporation is a state government agency which promotes tourism in Telangana, a state in the Southern region of India. The retired Director General of Police Pervaram Ramulu is the appointed First chairman of Telangana State Tourism. Tourist attractions in Telangana include historical places, monuments, forts, water falls, forests and temples.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Kakatiya Kala Thoranam</span> Arch in Telangana, India

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Culture of Telangana</span> Cultural history of an Indian state

The Culture of Telangana in India has a cultural history of about 5,000 years. The region emerged as the foremost centre of culture in Indian subcontinent during the rule of Kakatiyas, the Qutb Shahis and Asaf Jahi dynasties—. The rulers patronage and interest for culinary, arts and culture transformed Telangana into a multi-cultural region where two different cultures coexist together, thus making Telangana the representative of the Deccan Plateau and its heritage with Warangal and Hyderabad being its epicenter. Hyderabadi cuisine and Kakatiya architecture both from Telangana, are on the list of UNESCO creative city of gastronomy and UNESCO World Heritage Site. The regions major cultural events celebrated are "Kakatiya Festival" and Deccan Festival along with religious festivals Bonalu, Bathukamma, Dasara, Ugadi, Sankranthi, Milad un Nabi and Ramadan.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Architecture of the Deccan sultanates</span>

Deccani Architecture refers to the architectural styles developed during the Deccan sultanate period. The Deccan sultanates were five dynasties that ruled late medieval kingdoms, namely, Bijapur, Golkonda, Ahmadnagar, Bidar, and Berar in south-western India. The Deccan sultanates were located on the Deccan Plateau. Their architecture was a regional variant of Indo-Islamic architecture, heavily influenced by the styles of the Delhi Sultanate and later Mughal architecture, but sometimes also directly from Persia and Central Asia.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Architecture of Hyderabad</span>

A distinct Indo-Islamic architecture style with local contribution is reflected in the historical buildings of Hyderabad, making it the first and "Best Heritage City of India" as of March 2012. The city houses many famous historical sites constructed during Qutb Shahi and Asaf Jahi period, including various mosques and palaces.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Qutb Shahi architecture</span> Indo-Islamic architectural style

Qutb Shahi architecture is the distinct style of Indo-Islamic architecture developed during the reign of the Qutb Shahi dynasty, also known as the Golconda Sultanate.

References

  1. Haig 1907, pp. 67–68.
  2. Law, John. Modern Hyderabad (Deccan). pp. 13–14.
  3. "The Glorious Kakatiya Temples and Gateways". UNESCO World Heritage Centre. Archived from the original on 3 April 2018. Retrieved 19 December 2018.
  4. Haig 1907, p. 180-208.
  5. "The Qutb Shahi Monuments of Hyderabad Golconda Fort, Qutb Shahi Tombs, Charminar". UNESCO World Heritage Centre. Archived from the original on 1 February 2018. Retrieved 19 December 2018.
  6. Bilgrami 1927, pp. 17–19.
  7. Lasania, Yunus Y. (24 September 2014). "Koti Residency to be restored". The Hindu. ISSN   0971-751X . Retrieved 26 January 2020.
  8. Nanisetti, Serish (29 July 2017). "Mapping the Art Deco beauties before they vanish". The Hindu. ISSN   0971-751X . Retrieved 26 January 2020.

Bibliography