Name: Umme Arusha Haanee
Indian Historical Architecture
New media is a form of communication, to connect, collaborate and create. Throughout time, history, and generations, new media aesthetics have altered and evolved, forming and submitting various kinds of art to society. Asian Historical Architecture, generally located in India, presents art in a manner that allow individuals to connect and value diversity, culture, essence, and the fundamental nature of the captivating structural designs.
The story behind the creation of the Taj Mahal, is quite an intriguing one, as it brings forth a legendary tale of a lover, an artist, the fifth Mughal ruler who is till this day very well-known as Shah Jahan. In early years, predominantly in 1653, the Taj Mahal, also known as the ‘Crown Palace’ was entitled for the world to see in Agra, India. The construction of this historical architecture had begun in 1631, in all due respect and condolence to an empress, a princess identified as none other than, Mumtaz Mahal. The story behind this legendary tale dates back to the year 1631 when Persian princess, Mumtaz Mahal had walked into her death while giving birth to her fourteenth child at the age of thirty nine. Due to the empress’s death, Jahan had faced much emotional distress, as Mahal was his second and most favourite wife. In due course the entire palace was brought to tears and deep sorrows. Everyone knew that something had to be done in regards to constructing a tomb that would forever allow the world to remember Mumtaz Mahal. Almost immediately after the empress’s death, a competition had broken down in order to create the finest captivating structural design. Till this day, we are unaware of who the legendary architect was, but it was apparent that talent from many districts of the Muslim and western regions came hand in hand in Agra in order to work on the mausoleum. In conclusion, reviewer’s estimated that it took twenty-two years for approximately 20,000 individuals to work on this particular tomb. When taking a look at one of the worlds finest architecture, it is articulated that the Taj Mahal consists of a tomb, mosque, gardens, gateways and fountains, such that characterizes the absolute portrayal of the doorway to heaven, described in the Islamic religion. Later, after Shah Jahans death, his body was put beside his Queen, at the lower chamber. The Taj Mahal, built by Shah Jahan in memory of his wife, is made entirely of white marble, and submits a magical glow when night falls. A feeling of peace, purity, and freedom lurks within the surroundings of the Taj Mahal, as visitors walk within the area. When taking a look at the fine details, it is identified that precious gems such as agate and jasper are used throughout the mausoleum as decorated prints of flowers and calligraphy using. Because Jahan was a Muslim, the central archway was chiselled with passages from the Holy Qur’an. Further discussion with individuals who have been given the opportunity to catch a glimpse at the Taj Mahal, and have been to the city to collect further information have stated that during Jahans time, the effort put into the Taj Mahal was incredible. Each and every design on the walls are carved by hand, for at the time there were very little tools to get the work done much sooner. As the construction came to an end, and the mausoleum was finally created, each worker had gotten their fingers cut, for they were not permitted to re-create such fine detailed work for any other builder.
Another astonishing historical architectural landmark in India marks its self in Mumbai as another one of India’s main attractions. This famous monument known as the Gateway of India is the starting point of a tourist’s journey within the city. This Indo-Saracenic architectural styled monument was designed by the Scotsman George Wittet in 1911 and was for the most part constructed to welcome and honour the visit of King George V and Queen Mary to Bombay. This spectacular monument obtained much labour, allowing workers to spend approximately thirteen years to complete it. The Gateway is described as a large Arch of Triumph stone that contained Muslim-Indian architectural features. ‘Reviewers articulate that this remarkable structure is a predominantly an inspired structure, one that characterizes the “Arc de Triomphe in Paris and a Moorish palace”.’ [http://www.indiasite.com/maharashtra/mumbai/gatewayofindia.html] The last British troops formally to depart India had passed through the Gateway in February, 1948, and since then, the Gateway has been known as one of the architectural wonders of India. In addition, because the Gateway of India is simply enclosed by some of the most popular hotels in India, such as the Taj Mahal Hotel, its popularity and value has been raised sincerely in recent years due to large number of tourists from all over the world.
The history of the Golden Temple, in Punjab India dates 426 years back. Guru Arjan Sahib, who was the Fifth Nanak, had submitted the idea of creating a primary position/place of worship for the Sikhs, subsequent to his idea he had planned the architecture and concept of Sri Harmandir Sahib. Its construction had begun in the year 1585 and had been completed nineteen years later. The top floor of The Golden Temple, also known as the Harmandir Sahib is entirely made of gold hence where it gets its title from. The Golden Temple is located in the mid area of a small lake that is surrounded my quiet forestry. This area is a place of freedom and peace in which individuals of the Sikh religion come to meditate, plead, and honour their God. The temple’s architecture reveals an arrangement of both Hindu and Muslim artistic styles as it submits principles of geometry and symmetry of architectural elements such as the structure of the Taj Mahal. The Hari Mandir, the main area within the Golden Temple in which individuals pray in is luxuriously bejewelled with marble sculptures, golden gilding, and a great area of precious stones. The Golden temple is placed in the midst of a lake, one that appears to look like a large pool that is surrounded by stone and marble structures, an area that somewhat resembles a courtyard. Reviewers state that, “Its architecture represents a unique harmony between the Muslims and the Hindus way of construction work and this is considered the best architectural specimens of the world. It is often quoted that this architecture has created an independent Sikh school of architecture in the history of art in India.” [http://www.sgpc.net/golden-temple/index.asp]
In regards to new media, its form of communication, to connect, collaborate and create. Each builder, Shah Jahan, Scotsman George Wittet, and Guru Arjan have formed ways of allowing the world to communicate with their captivating structural designs. Each work of art connects and collaborates the social media aspect of New Media, as each monument not only communicates with society physically, but also through digital technology such as photography’s and videos. When taken a photograph of any such architectural structures, it becomes digital art. It allows individuals to view, and feel enlightened by the sight, thus allowing people from all over the world to connect emotions, feelings or even thoughts about the structure that may possibly be over seas away. Each innovator contributed to the cultural evolution of their time as they submitted to the society, parts of their own culture and religious beliefs through the added features and or even designs within their architecture. By adding, carved passages from the Holy Quran onto the walls of the Taj Maahal, Shah Jahan presents his Islamic views. By doing this, more visitors and tourists are aware of the culture and religion that he had once followed. When studying the history of a structure, one begins to educate them selves further more about the artist him self. When further research is done about the Golden Temple, individuals are able to not only connect with the physical and or photograpich structure, they are hauled towards wanting to know more about the culture that allows one to create such architecture. By creating such architecture, that seems as though it only exists in dreams allow other artists to feel motivated, or even inspired, such as “The tomb of Humayun” [http://whc.unesco.org/en/list/232 ß cite for further information on how it’s an inspired architecture, related to the Taj Maha].
Today, many foreigners, visitors, or even people from around the world that have not yet visited India, are very well aware of the three architectures that I have chosen as they are a few of the most popular appealing structural designed architectures in the world.
Reference:
Taj Mahal
–http://www.orientalarchitecture.com/india/agra/tajmahal.php
Gateway India
–http://www.orientalarchitecture.com/india/mumbai/gatewayindia.php
http://www.indiasite.com/maharashtra/mumbai/gatewayofindia.html
The Golden Temple
–http://sacredsites.com/asia/india/amritsar.html
http://sikhism.about.com/od/history/a/Golden_Temple.htm
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Harmandir_Sahib
http://www.sgpc.net/golden-temple/index.asp
onto the the gold end of the battery in order for the motor to function. 
