Indo-Saracenic style was widely adopted by the British architects in India in the later period during their rule and you can draw many examples from different parts. Also called Indo-Gothic, Mogul-Gothic, and formerly Hindoo Style, it was a sort of revival architectural style adopted by the English builders to suite the Indian landscape in the later 19th century. This style was widely followed in all public and government buildings particularly under the Raj. Even the rich princely states and their rulers began to adopt this style for their palaces and other public buildings to make them impressive stand apart . What is so attractive and unique is the nice blending of Indo-Islamic architecture incorporating stylistic and decorative features from native Indo-Islamic design, with particular reference to Mogul style that is characteristic of onion shaped domes and chatris. The impressive aspect about this style is the basic plan, layout and structure that have close similarity with those of contemporary buildings in other styles, like Gothic revival and Neo-Classical, with specific mixing of Indian elements and decoration. In order to refer to the style being adopted in the Muslim and or Arabic-lands of SW Asia and Africa, the term Saracen was used commonly in Europe till the 19th century. William Hodges and the Daniell duo (William Daniel) and his uncle Thomas Daniell found out the suitability of this style and adopted it around 1795.
It is quite interesting to know the first Indo-Saracenic building built in India was that of the famous
Chepauk Palace, completed in 1768, in present-day Chennai (Madras). Presently, it is the official residence of Prince of Arcot and his royal family members. Thge builder - Nawab of Arcot had borrowed heavily from the private British financiers to complete the prestigious project which was close to St. George Fort, the British Trading post in Madras.
Later Indo-Saracenic design became a dominating style adopted by the British in cities like Bombay and Calcutta that were the major centers of the early company rule and later of the Raj
administration. All these buildings are protected monuments under the control of the ASI - Archaeological Society of India. The colonial buildings built in a different style by the British subtly represent their power and status as a growing imperialistic power in the Indian subcontinent.
The Indo-Saracenic style was so innovative, attractive and catchy, it enjoyed considerable popularity in the SE Asia under the colonial rule. Part of the reason is its elite design and its suitability in the tropical regions with verandas and high ceilings and stylish windows, balconies and domes. Builders in British Ceylon (present-day Sri Lanka) and the Federated
Malay States (present-day Malaysia) and Singapore adopted this design outside India. Even there are many examples of Indo-Saracenic
architecture structures in the UK, for example, at the Royal Pavilion
in Brighton, and the eccentric Sezincote House in Gloucestershire.
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| Sezincote House, Gloucestershire, 1805 en.wikipedia.org |
The distinct aspect of this design and style is in terms of structural engineering and advanced standard, particularly those built in India and England, were in conformity with advanced British structural engineering standards of the 1800s. This included infrastructures made of iron, steel and poured concrete (the innovation of reinforced cement and pre-cast cement elements, set with iron and/or steel rods, developed much later); the same structural elements were adopted in continental Europe and the Americas: This is the reason why this exotic style - Indo-Saracenic popularity lasted for a span of some 30 plus years. They also brought out the aesthetics and found expression in the Baroque, Regency and design periods and beyond. Obviously, the Gothic style incorporated Asian exoticism design such as the Moorish Arch in its windows, related to the later "harem window"a sort of artistic lattice work quite common in Northern India.
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| Thirumalai Nayak Palace (Mahal), Madurai, TN/en.wikipedia.org |
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| Thirumalai Nayak Palace (Mahal), Madurai, TN, Yatra com. |
Above images: Thirumalai Nayak Palace, Madurai: A 17th-century palace built in 1636 AD by King Tirumala Nayak of the Nayak dynasty who ruled Madurai from 1623–59, in the city of Madurai, India. This Palace is a fine example of classical fusion of Dravidian and Rajput styles. The building, which can be seen today, was the main Palace, in which the king lived. It is said, the original Palace Complex was four times bigger than the present structure. Close to the famous Meenakshi Amman Temple. Lord Napier, the then Governor of Madras, had partially restored the palace in 1866-72 under the guidance of architect Chisholm. and subsequent restoration works were carried out several years ago. Today, we get to see the Entrance Gate, the Main Hall and the Dance Hall. This palace has a 60 to 70 ft tall dome supported by stone ribs and big circular columns topped by pointed scalloped arches with an arcaded gallery opening into the nave above the side aisles. There are may Yali like mythological images on the pillar near the cornice. Massive pillars in the palace have richly ornamental
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| Senate House (University of Madras)/en.wikipedia.org |
Above image: The Senate House, Chennai: On Wallajah Road along the Marina beach is the administrative center of the University of Madras in Chennai, establishes by the British in the 19th century. Designed by Robert Chisholm between 1874 and 1879, the Senate building is considered to be one of the best and oldest examples of Indo-Saracenic architecture in India. Prior to the construction of the Senate House, university convocations used to be held at Banqueting Hall (now Rajaji Hall). During 14 July – 21 December 1937 the legislature of the Madras Presidency met at the senate house. Inspired by the Byzantine, Robert Chisholm came up with a design suitable to the terrain; he chose Indo-Saracenic style.
https://en.wikipedia.or/wik/Senate_House_(University_of_Madras)
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Taj Rambagh Palace,wikipedia.
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| Rambagh Palace in Jaipur/en.wikipedia.org |
Above images: The Rambagh Palace in Jaipur, Rajasthan is the former residence of the early 20th century ruler Maharajah of Jaipur and now, it has been converted into a hotel. Just 5 miles (8.0 km) on the outskirt of the city on Bhawani Singh road. it came up first on the site in 1835; it was a garden house for the wet nurse of prince Ram Singh II. In 1887, during the reign of Maharajah Sawai Madho Singh, an avid hunter, it became a modest royal hunting lodge, as the house was located in the midst of a thick jungle at that time. It was in the the early 20th century, it was expanded into a palace as designed by Sir Samuel Swinton Jacob, a famous British architect.
Maharajah Sawai Man Singh II made Rambagh his principal residence and added a number of royal suites in 1931. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rambagh_Palace
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| The Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Terminu, Mumbai. en.wikipedia.org |
Above image: Chhatrapati Shivaji Terminus (officially Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Terminus) (previously Victoria Terminus) in Mumbai, 1878–88 is a historic terminal train station and UNESCO World Heritage Site in Mumbai, Maharashtra. Designed by British architect and engineer Frederick William Stevens in the style of Victorian Italianate Gothic Revival architecture its construction began in 1878, in a location south of the old Bori Bunder railway station, and was completed in 1887, the year marking 50 years of Queen Victoria's rule. Hence, the building was named after Queen Victoria. The station's name was changed to Chhatrapati Shivaji Terminus in March 1996 to honour Shivaji, the 17th-century founder of the Maratha Empire. The architect was paid a fee of ₹1,614,000 (US$23,000) for his services. It served as the headquarters of the Great Indian Peninsular Railway. Now, it as a total of 18 platforms for incoming and outgoing trains.
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Daly college, Indore, MP. en.wikipedia.org
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Daly college, Indore, MP.pinrest
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Above images: The Daly College, Indore, MP: A co-educational residential and day boarding school in Indore city, Madhya Pradesh was founded by Sir Henry Daly of the British Indian Army during India's colonial British Raj. The school started in 1870 as the Residency School. It was then renamed as the East Rajkumar College in 1876, and in 1882, it came to be known as the Daly College. It was established by the Resident Governor of the erstwhile Presidency to educate the children of the royalty, nobility and aristocracy of Central Indian Princely States of the 'Marathas', 'Rajputs', 'Mohameddans' and 'Bundelas'. It is one of the oldest co-educational boarding schools in the world. As of 2015 the school had more than 2,000 students and is ranked 1st in India by Education world India for the year 2015 in the category day-cum-boarding schools.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Daly_College
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| residence of Arcot Nawab. Amir Mahal. Chennai. .newindianexpress.com |
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| Chepauk Palace, Chennai, TN. en.wikipedia.org |
Above images: Chepauk Palace, Chennai: Located in Royapettah, a suburb of Chennai (Madras) is a fine and iconic heritage building - Amir Mahal in Indo-Saracenic style built in 1798 on a 14 acre ground. It has been the official residence of the the titular Nawab of Arcot and his family since 1876. The Prince of Arcot, Nawab Mohammed Abdul Ali, lives in the palace with his family. Muhammad
Ali Wallajah of the Carnatic (1749-95- his reign), got the
permission of the Madras Government to live in the shadow of Fort
St. George's and its artillery protection. Later the EIC annexed it in 1855 along with the Kingdom invoking the Doctrine of Lapse. Besides, the Nawab - his highness Wallajah had to settle the debts incurred during the construction of his residence in Chennai. The English company used the building to house administrative offices of the company. The official residence of the Nawabs, was put up for auction and purchased by the Madras government; the move was a sham one. The Nawab moved over to to a building called Shadi Mahal on Triplicane High Road and lived there. Later, the EIC returned the original building to the Nawab converting into a palace to suite his need sunder architect Robert Chisholm. In 1876, the Nawab and his family moved into Amir Mahal. Renovation was done in the recent past and it is now sporting a new look. Until recent past, due to negligence, the old structure was in bad shape almost partly damaged and lost its royal sheen and elegance. It took 18 long months for the Central PWD to restore it, without changing the heritage aspects. It was the first building in Indo-Saracenic style in India. The ex-ruler had no role to play in the restoration work. Restored back to old world glory and hospitality are the antique furniture, the interior arrangements, numerous historical lighting fixtures adding a new charm and gleam to this building steeped in history that saw betrayals, upheavals, grand parties and intrigues. Soon after 1855, Queen
Victoria granted the family by treaty hereditary rights to be called the
Princes of Arcot (Amir-e-Arcot) and enjoy various benefits of protocol. This Indi-Saracenic building appeared a century before nearly a century before better designs and this led to different styles in Lutyen's and Baker's New Delhi. The site originally consisted of 117 acres in the prime area of Madras.
https://www.thehindu.com/arts/New-glitter-to-the-old/article12572688.ece
https://www.thehindu.com/arts/New-glitter-to-the-old/article12572688.ece
Part of the Taj Hotels Resorts and Palaces Group, it has 560 rooms and 44 suites being managed by about 1,600 staff. The hotel is functioning in two different buildings. Provoked by refusal to check into Watson's Hotel, as it was restricted to "whites only" in the colonial period Jamsetji Tata had this hotel built way back in December 1903. The cost of construction was £250,000 (£127 million in 2008 prices). Sitaram Khanderao Vaidya and D. N. Mirza were the architects. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Taj_Mahal_Palace_Hotel
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| Mysore Palace. en.wikipedia.org |
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| Inteor. Mysore palace, Mysore, you tube. |
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| Mysore palace, Mysore. economictimes.indiatimes.com/ |
Above images: Mysore Palace, Mysore: A historical palace and a royal residence of the Wadiyar ruling dynasty in Mysore, Karnataka state, it is a popular destination for tourists. It is the official residence of the royal family and once the seat power of the Kingdom of Mysore. Built in the center of the city, facing Chamundi Hills eastward, the family had close rapport with the colonial rulers. There are as many as seven palaces in this wonderful city. No doubt, Mysore is commonly described as the 'City of Palaces,' all built by the affluent Mysore rulers. The land on which the palace is built is in puragiri (literally, citadel), and is now known as the Old Fort. This palace was built between 1897 and 1912 (total cost then was around $30 million) after the Old Palace had been heavily damaged in a fire mishap. It is said more than 6 million people visit this palace annually. This three story structure with a 145 ft tall five story tower is built in Indo--Saracenic style diligently blending with the Hindu, Mughal, Rajput, and Gothic features. This combination with fine marble domes and impressive windows and high ceiling enhances the beauty of this old structure that is surrounded by a large garden. As a mark of royalty, the huge entrance gate and arch to the palace that measures 245 Ft in length and 156 Ft in width, carry the emblem and coat of arms of the kingdom of Mysore, around which is written the kingdom's motto in Sanskrit: meaning never terrified. With 200 historical items, this palace will leave you mystified. During the Dussara, this palace becomes active and the Hindu festival is traditionally headed by the heir to the kingdom - a gala occasion.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Indo-Saracenic_architecture
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