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Architecture of British India Represented and Promoted a ‘civilizing’ influence - Essay

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Added on  2020-12-29

Architecture of British India Represented and Promoted a ‘civilizing’ influence - Essay

   Added on 2020-12-29

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INFLUENCE OFBRITISHARCHITECTURE ONINDIA
Architecture of British India Represented and Promoted a ‘civilizing’ influence - Essay_1
Table of ContentsTOPIC: “The architecture of British India represented and promoted a ‘civilizing’ influence uponIndia.”...............................................................................................................................................1REFERENCES................................................................................................................................5
Architecture of British India Represented and Promoted a ‘civilizing’ influence - Essay_2
TOPIC: “The architecture of British India represented and promoted a‘civilizing’ influence upon India.”India has been under the influences of a diverse set of cultural, social and psychologicalaspects since inception. These aspects mainly developed as the years went by. Today, India is ahome to many religions and languages. These influences have mainly originated from the earlyvisitors who came and settled in the country (Abbott, 2013). One of the most prominentinfluence that can be observed in India is Colonial or Imperialism. The British arrived in early16th Century in India with a motive to take advantage of the rich raw materials available in thecountry then. Gradually, as the decades passed, they established the East India Company anddeclared a colonial rule on the country. During this period, there were many incidents thatoccurred in the economy. The British Era had an impact on almost every aspect of IndianEconomy from social to educational, cultural to legal. One of such influence that is notable todayrelates to the Architecture. This essay explores, analyse and discuss cultural, social, political ortheoretical issues of architectural history in relation to India.The Architectural Infrastructures found in India as well as worldwide depict a sense ofsymbolism and endorses occupying power of the ruler or administrator under whom such amonument or building was created. The Architecture of British India is reflective of EuropeanColonial Rule which mainly boded with symbols and designs that endorsed mission of conquest.During British India Era, some of the major cities that were colonized included Chennai,Calcutta, Mumbai, Delhi, Agra, Hyderabad and Karachi (Ayothiraman, Kanth and Sreelatha,2012). For instance, St. Andrew's Kirk in Chennai is a circular building with a motto of EastIndia Company engraved on the entrance. The entrance is seamed with 12 colonnades and twoBritish Lions. The main purpose of building this kirk was to serve the Presbyterian ScottishCommunity living in Chennai at that time. The Church featured a Neo-Classical Style ofStructure. The main influence of this architecture in relation to civilizing of the Indian Society isthat it laid the foundation for the Christian Society. One of the main aim of the BritishRepresentatives was to promote Christian Superiority in the nation, for which missionaries leda movement in order to save about 300 million people. Apart form this, India was a society witha lot of beliefs and cultural values that bonded them with their ancestral rights and duties. Theseincluded certain practices or acts that were performed on a public stage and required sacrifices to1
Architecture of British India Represented and Promoted a ‘civilizing’ influence - Essay_3

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