Architectural developments in Indian Subcontinent – 1947 to 1970
In this course we will learn about Architectural developments in Indian Subcontinent – 1947 to 1970.
It was in the year 1947, towards the midnight of 14th August, the inaugural Prime minister of newly Independent nation India gave one of the most memorable speech of the century called “Tryst with Destiny” which announced the grand entry of a newly born nation, coming out of an old era towards a modern one with new hopes and Identity. This also reflected on the struggle the nation will face for the basic need for infrastructure and development.
The Evolution of Contemporary Indian Architecture
Independence in 1947 brought forth a wide range of problems, opportunities, expectations and dreams. The partition of the country caused a refugee problem that involved millions of families. There were lot of expectations from the new leaders of the nation and how to set the wheels of development in motion.
In the grand history of India, heritage was found in either Temples, mosques, or other religious monument or in palaces, forts, etc., unlike a city like New York where administrative structures such as Railways, colleges, public gardens, bridges, and canals were part of the heritage and have been given equal importance, were developed just like the historical monuments.
The new India had a requirement from government institutions like CPWD and education institution such as IIM’s and IIT’s, to develop modern cities for the future such as Chandigarh, Bhuvneshwar, and Gandhinagar, and the responsibility to carry out such huge infrastructure challenge were given to architects and designers from India and all around the globe.
A building programme was taken in the public sector using whatever materials were readily available and thus a number of small towns and re-settlement colonies came up in many parts of the country.
The Public Works Department were restoring a sense of confidence to millions by giving them provision of housing and services. All of this was achieved by Indian engineers and the handful of architects then employed by Government. At the time of Independence, India had less than one architect per 1,000,000 population. Britain had one architect per 4,000 population. Bombay had over half the country’s 300 or so architects.
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