MELISSA HEBERT-JOHNSON, BLACK HAWK COLLEGE
INFUSING SOUTH ASIAN STUDIES INTO THE
UNDERGRADUATE CURRICULUM
Project scope
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Survey of Indian architecture
 emphasis on temple and monumental
structures) through Mughal/Rajput period
2-3 session unit for Survey of NonWestern Art
 1-2 session unit for History of Art
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Desired outcomes of project
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Expand number and variety of structures
for use in survey
Incorporate Indian architectural theory into
discussion of structures
Utilize sanskrit or other local terms for
architectural elements
Expand discussion of temple usage, rituals
Create new discussion questions and
essay assignments
Types of structures
Stupas
 Jaina temples
 Hindu temples
 Mosques
 Tombs
 Forts
 Dwellings
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Representative Monuments
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Mohenjo-Daro, 2600-1750 BCE
Mahastupa, Sanchi, begun 3rd century BCE, rebuilt 150 BCE
Dhamek Stupa, Sarnath, 500 CE
Chaitya Hall, Karli, 1st century BCE-1st century CE
Vishnu Temple, Deogarh, ca 530 CE
Cave-Temple of Shiva, Elephanta, c 550
Lakshmana Temple, Khajuraho, c 950 CE
Kandariyā Mahādevā Temple, Khajuraho, c 1000 CE
Konark Sun Temple (Black Pagoda), 13th century
Parsavanath Temple, Khajuraho, c 14th-15th century CE
Jain Temple of Ranakpur, Rajasthan, early 15th century
Buland Darwaza and Jami Masjid complex, Fatehpur Sikri, 1572
Humayun’s Tomb, Delhi,1562
Red Fort, Delhi, 17th century
Mînakshi Sundareswarar Temple, Madurai, ca 1600
Taj Mahal, Agra, 1653
Jama Masjid, Delhi, 1656 CE
Fundamentals of South Asian architecture
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Vāstu śāstra
Vāstu puruṣa mandala
Invocations (Lord Vishvakarma)
architectural principles
 orientation
 ratio/measurement
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elements common to temples:
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mandala
mandapas
vimāna/śikhara
gharba griha
Some Themes and Points for
Comparison
Geometry: circle and square
 Astrology
 Numerology
 Axis mundi
 Divine architect
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Projects
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Short essay: Analyze the adherence of a modern Indian temple
(or Hindu/Buddhist temple in the west) for its adherence to
ancient architectural principles.
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Short essay: There is a contemporary movement in dwelling
architecture to build according to architectural theory of the
vāstu śāstra/vidya. Do you think this movement fulfills a more
traditional implementation of the principles of the vāstu śāstra?
Or would you characterize it as a “new age” reinterpretation?
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Short essay: Choose a monument (Jaina, Buddhist, Hindu) and
retroactively apply what you know of the vāstu śāstra principles
to the structure.
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Longer paper: Compare the theoretical architectural principles
of Indian architecture with another Western architectural
tradition. Are there parallels in the theoretical ideas of these two
traditions? What about in their formal principles?
Primary Sources (in translation)
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Vāstu Shastra/Vidya
 Rig Veda
 Mayamata
 Manasara
 Samarangana Sutradhara
 Rajavallabha
 Vishvakarmaprakasha
 Aparajitaprccha
Secondary Sources
Chakrabarti, Vibhuti, Indian architectural
theory: contemporary uses of vastu vidya.
Delhi : Oxford University, 1999.
 Hardy, Adam, The temple architecture of
India. Hoboken, NJ: Wiley, 2007.
 Sahai, Surendra, Indian architecture:Hindu,
Buddhist, and Jain. New Delhi: Prakash
Books, 2006.
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Timeline/Thematic Sections
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Indus River Valley/Harappan culture (ca 3000-1700 BCE)
Vedic Period (ca 1500-500 BCE) *
Maurya Period (322-185 BCE)
Shunga Period (2nd- 1st centuries BCE)
Andhra Period (Central & South) (50-320 CE)
Kushan Period (North) (30-320 CE)
Gupta Period (320-500 CE)
Post-Gupta Period (550-950 CE)
Early Medieval Period (900-1200 CE)
Chola Period (South) (850-1250 CE)
Delhi Sultanate (13th-14th centuries CE)
Mughal Period (16th-18th centuries CE)
Rajput Period (15th-19th centuries CE)