ELEMENTS OF SIKH ARCHITECTURE AND ITS VALUE

B.Arch 4th Year

Dissertation
Submitted by: Lovepreet
Registration. No: 11300666

Abstract
Sikh Architecture style and design of building clearly visible popular among the Sikhs, is
owed primarily to their religious monuments. It is illustrated by the presence of values for
open-mindedness, superb sophistication, asthetic beauty and flowing lines. The Sikh religion
and its philosophy have greatly influenced Gurudwara architecture in its evolutionary
process. Architectural styles classify architecture in terms of form, elements, techniques,
materials, time period and region, etc.
AIM
The aim is to study the Elements of Sikh architecture.
OBJECTIVES
To understand the importance of Sikh monuments like Gurdwara. and the culture to know

the elements of Sikh Architecture.

To study the role of Elements of Sikh Architecture w.r.t materials and climate factor.

SCOPE AND PARAMETER:

To promote the preservation of the Sikh Architecture. This will comprise of :
Planning of structure according to Sikh architecture.
It will also help the younger generation to understand the culture and tradition, and can
preserve it.
SIGNIFICANCE OF STUDY:
The significance of study is how to create awareness and promote the value of Sikh
architecture buildings or culture of a particular place or region rather than modern.
METHODOLOGY
LITERATURE REVIEW:
1. Study of Elements of Sikh Architecture and its evolution.
2. Study of Sikh monuments like Gurudwara.
DOCUMENTATION
Documentation on Gurdwaras.

CASE STUDIES
To support my research paper and the findings , it will be related with the case studies of
Sikh structures.
INTERVIEWS
To know more about the people, living standard, structures and the constructions, I will
interact and interview with well known Architects in Punjab.
RESEARCH QUESTIONS
COMPARATIVE ANYALYSIS

LITERATURE REVEIW
Every architectural style reflects a clearly distinctive basic principle that represents a
particular culture and era and same is true in the case of Sikh architecture. The Sikh religion
and its philosophy have greatly influenced Gurudwara architecture in its evolutionary
process. The Sikh Architecture can be summed by the use of the following architectural
elements of Rajputana architecture by the Sikhs in their shrines. The Sikh Shrines are not
only the places of worship, but also the centres of knowledge, art and architecture. These
shrines have greatly influenced the socio-cultural life of the Sikhs and gave continuity to
traditional Sikh values. Architectural styles classify architecture in terms of form, elements,
techniques, materials, time period and region, etc. Architectural style is a way of classifying

architecture that gives emphasis on characteristic features of

a design, leading to a

terminology such as Sikh Architecture.

Early Sikh Shrines
It was during early times that the Gurudwaras (Dharmsals) were simple and humble in
architectural expression. They were utilised within the traditions set by the Guru. The
architectural style adopted by the Sikhs was direct reflection of their religious beliefs.
Gurudwaras were constructed with the resources the community had at that time. This kind of
architecture had matured while facing certain factors such as the climate, the availability of
materials, political adversaries, the religious purposes and the dominant cultures of that time,
these factors played decisive role in the architectural development of Gurudwaras.
Later Sikh Shrines
Early Sikh shrines, Sikhs wanted to place their Gurudwaras in an elaborate setting, to make
their Gurudwaras part of a large impressive sanctuary. In most of the large Gurudwara
complexes, one can find that the builders had to integrate four elements which had become
the fundaments of Gurudwara architecture: the enclosure, its gateway (Deodi), the
Gurudwara itself and the pool. An early and attractive example, which probably dates from
the time of the misls, is the Gurudwara Ramsar at Amritsar. It is situated at about two
hundred yards from the Harmandar Sahib, near Chatiwind gate in Amritsar.
The chhatris
Balconied windows
Richly ornamented friezes
Onion shaped domes
Cusped arches
Pilasters,

 Frescoes etc
Sikh architecture owes some of its features to the Rajasthan and Mughal monuments. The
Sikh architecture expresses the characteristics of the Sikh spirit, with its interesting skylines,
facade treatment by interesting combination of recesses and projections. Its typical features
are the chattris, kiosks or pavilions which embellish the parapets, corners, and every
prominence and projection. In the early shrines, like Harmandar Sahib (Amritsar) and Darbar
Sahib (Tarn Taran) a chhatri was not used. It seems that this architectural element was added
in the later Gurudwaras like Katalgarh Sahib and Keshgarh Sahib etc. Majority of the
Gurudwaras have similar elevation features like cusped arches, cupolas, chhatris, kiosks,
domes etc. Crown of Sikh Shrines is embellished by dome, kiosks, cupolas and chhatris.
Domes and arches are omnipresent with variation of size and shape. Use of other elements
varies from shrine to shrine. Balconied windows have been used in Gurudwara Baba Atal,
Harmandar Sahib, Akal Takht etc. and chhatris have also been used in Thara Sahib
(Amritsar), Keshgarh Sahib etc.
Most of the square or octagonal shrines have symmetrical elevation on all the sides. The
rectangular shrines, generally, have front and rear side symmetrical and other two sides
asymmetrical with main dome placed either towards front or back of the shrine. Entrances to
the shrines have varied detailing. It may be a simple trabeated opening in blind cusped arch
through verandah/entrance portico without any special treatment. In some cases, it is simple
trabeated in blind arch without any verandah/entrance portico and any special treatment
around the opening. In few cases, there is chhatri on the top of the main entrance. There may
be an entrance with portico and chhatri on top.
In many cases, kiosks with dome on top are provided on each of the four corners at terrace
level. In some cases, chhatris are provided in the middle of the facade at terrace level. The
length of the parapet is provided with an odd number of cupolas with drooping arcuated

eaves. Normally the fluted pilasters decorated the corners of the shrine. A projected eave runs
around the top on all sides of the ground floor and separates the ground floor from the first
and in some cases eave is provided at the first floor level.
The ribbed dome is crowning feature, generally painted white or covered with brass or copper
gilt. Sikh shrines use the inverted lotus on the dome on top of the building. This looks similar
to the Muslim architecture, which is also decorated in several places with an inverted lotus.
This is in contrast to the shikhara, which is seen on top of the Hindu temple. Use of balconied
windows with small elliptical eave and supported on carved brackets, slanting over-hanging
eaves emphasises the string course to decorate the lower structure and the parapet, elliptical
eaves with cusped soffits, a lavish enrichment of all arches by means of numerous foliations
and other structural ornamentation of a similar order. The Sikh Architecture style is easily
distinguished from others due to its liberal use of these elements which are omnipresent in the
Sikh architecture.
The influence of the individuals who patronised the construction or decoration of the shrines
is also visible in their architecture. For example Maharaja Ranjit Singh got the Harmandar
Sahib gilded. Similarly the Gurudwara Ber Sahib (Sultanpur Lodhi) and State Gurudwara
(Kapurthala) were got constructed by the Maharaja of Kapurthala, he was influenced by the
French architecture and this is reflected in the embellishment work of these shrines.
Architectural pretentions are more true in case of historical Gurudwaras, as these are
constructed using more or less same architectural elements which were used in the original
structures. In 19th century migration of the Sikhs started and a number of Gurudwaras came
up in many parts of the world wherever the Sikhs got settled. Most of the recently constructed
non historic Gurudwaras have used architectural elements in abstract form. This is evident
from the many Sikh shrines constructed in India and abroad. Most of the Gurudwaras

constructed in neighbourhoods do not represent the true architectural character of the Sikh
shrines.

REFERENCES
https://www.thesikhencyclopedia.com/arts-and-heritage/architecture/sikh-architecture
http://shodhganga.inflibnet.ac.in/bitstream/10603/29793/15/15_chapter%207.pdf
Datta, V.N., Amritsar: Past and Present. Amritsar, 1967