DOGRA ARCHITECTURE (The Hindu)

  • 24 Oct 2023

What is the News ?

Srinagar Smart City Limited and the Kashmir chapter of INTACH have joined hands to conserve vernacular elements of Kashmiri architecture, including colonnaded walkways, decorative pilasters, and exposed moulded brickwork.

Facts About:

  • The buildings and structures that were built by the Dogra Hindu kings, who ruled over Jammu and Kashmir from 1846 to 1947, are known as "Dogra architecture."
  • Maharaja Gulab Singh, a vassal of the Sikh Empire who later joined the British, established the Dogra dynasty.
  • The Dogra kings were patrons of the arts and introduced a new architectural style that blended elements of Hindu, Islamic, and Sikh traditions.
  • The interiors are richly decorated with frescoes, stucco work, and intricate wooden carvings that evoke both Rajput and Mughal architectural styles.
  • European architectural features like arches, columns, and ornamental brackets were incorporated into Dogra architecture.

During the British colonial era, when interactions between European architects and local builders increased, this influence became more pronounced.

  • Dogra architecture frequently uses symbolic elements taken from Hindu mythology and religious texts to express the people's spiritual beliefs.