78th Independence Day: A journey through India’s architecture

India's architectural landscape is adorned with masterpieces that blend functionality with artistic brilliance.
Some of the iconic structures reflect the nation's rich cultural heritage while embracing modernity. From the labelled heritage site Capitol Complex in Chandigarh by Le Corbusier to the serene Lotus Temple in Delhi designed by Fariborz Sahba, each building tells a unique story.The IIM-Ahmedabad campus by Louis Kahn, Bharat Bhavan in Bhopal by Charles Correa, and the innovative Rajkumari Ratnavati Girls’ School in Jaisalmer by Diana Kellogg also exemplify the fusion of tradition and innovation in Indian architecture.
Le Corbusier | Capitol Complex, Chandigarh
When Punjab lost its capital Lahore to Pakistan in 1947, it was decided a new ‘model’ city would be built, “unfettered by the traditions of the past”. Swiss-French architect and urban planner Le Corbusier was commissioned to plan the city. The Chandigarh Capitol Complex remains one of Corbusier’s best works – it is a World Heritage building now.

Louis Kahn | IIM-Ahmedabad
When IIM-Ahmedabad began operating its administrative office in 1962 from a small room in the city, it got a handsome sum of Rs 25 lakh from the govt to look for a world-class architect to build a campus that would match the vision it had set for itself. American architect Louis Kahn was roped in. He conceived the IIM-A campus in his distinctive style of architecture comprising circles and arches, using exposed red bricks.
Charles Correa | Bharat Bhavan, Bhopal
Indian architect and urban planner Charles Correa designed the iconic Bharat Bhavan in Bhopal – an autonomous multi-arts complex and museum. Bharat Bhavan, opened in 1982, houses art galleries, a graphic printing workshop, a ceramics workshop, an open-air amphitheatre, a studio theatre, an auditorium and a museum of tribal and folk art.
Rajkumari Ratnavati Girl’s School, Jaisalmer
Is it a UFO? An oasis in the midst of a desert? It’s a school! The Rajkumari Ratnavati Girls’ School in Jaisalmer, an elliptical structure built of local sandstone, stands out right in the midst of the Thar Desert where temperatures often soar close to 50 degrees Celsius. The school was designed by Diana Kellogg, an NY-based architect. For the 400 girls studying there, from kindergarten to class 10, solar panels and jaali work on the walls keep the temperatures down. The elliptical structure, angled towards the prevailing winds, is designed to effectively circulate cool air.
Lotus Temple, Delhi
The Lotus Temple in Delhi, opened in 1986, has 27 free-standing marble-clad petals with nine doors that open into a central hall that is 34m high. Designed by an Iranian architect, Fariborz Sahba, many of its architectural elements are specified by Bahai scripture. The surface of the House of Worship is made of white marble from the Penteli Mountain in Greece, the same marble used in the construction of many ancient monuments including the Parthenon.