How the subcontinent was colonized and how the presence of the British effected the architecture of India.

1. Colonization in India

2. Why did the British colonize India and how did
it effect the people already living there?
• What is India like prior to the arrival of the Europeans?
• Why were the British interested in India?
• The British became interested in India for two (2) reasons:
1. Raw materials
2. Consumers (300 million population)
Originally India was operated by a corporation (The East India Company)
Later taken over by the British government

3. • How did the people of India react to the
• colonization?
• Indians benefited from colonial rule:
◦ Modern goods
◦ Modern transportation
◦ Education increases
◦ Health care increases
◦ Protection
• On the negative side:
◦ The British controlled the government / economy
◦ Indians were seen as “half” citizens

4. • Indians groups try to force out the British
• The Sepoy Rebellion (1857)
◦ Sepoy = an Indian soldier in the British army
• Offended by British military practices, Indian
soldiers
revolted
◦ Cause = seals on gun cartridges
• The rebellion was eventually put down
◦ Divisions between Hindu & Muslims

5. • How did the Indian independence movement
begin?
• The movement starts with the creation of
two (2) groups:
◦ Indian National Congress (1885)
◦ Muslim League (1905)
Both wished to see India become an
independent state

6. Negative Impact for India
• British held most of the political and economic power,
• Profitable industries such as cotton, salt, construction, tea, etc.
were firmly controlled by the British.
• conversion to cash crops reduced food production, causing
famines in the late 1800s,
• Loss of cultural practices and language,
• Divisions between “Anglicized” elites and traditional Indians,
• Humiliation of being “inferior” in one’s own home.

7. Positive Effects of Colonial Rule
• Railroads (the third-largest network in the world at the time) enabled
India to develop a modern economy and connected regions,
• A modern road network, telephone and telegraph lines, dams, bridges,
and irrigation canals were created,
• Sanitation and public health improved.
• Schools and colleges were founded, and literacy increased.
• British troops cleared central India of bandits
• End to local warfare among competing local rulers.

8. Colonial Indian Architecture
• 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.
• http://www.culturalindia.net/indian-
architecture/colonial-architecture.html

9. Indo-Saracenic
• Combined the features of Hindu, Islamic and
western elements
• Exhibited itself through institutional, civic and
utilitarian buildings such as post
offices, railway stations, rest houses
and government buildings
• Also took inspiration from existing
architecture in India

10. • Norm for the Anglo-Indian church builders to
follow the model set by the revivers
• Imperialism was the sole guiding force rather
than practicality
• Heavier styles than Gothic were employed

11. Mutiny Memorial Church at Kanpur

12. • Italian Gothic was seen to be well adapted to
conditions in India
• Great public building campaign launched in
Bombay
• Sir Gilbert Scott's buildings were significant
products

13. William Emerson's Crawford Market

14. Bombay high court

15. Victoria terminus (now Shivaji terminus)