Architecture of Gujarat

Buildings were built in European styles, including Gothic and Neoclassical during the British Colonial period.

Gujarat has a large number of archaeological sites associated with the Indus Valley civilization.

The acropolis and the middle town had been furnished with their own defence-work, gateways, built-up areas, street system, wells, and large open spaces.

Other extant temples include the temple groups at Khimeshwara, Shrinagar, Nandeshwara, Balej, Bhansara, Odadar; and the shrines at Bokhira, Chhaya, Visavada, Kuchadi, Ranavav, Tukada, Akhodar, Kalavad, Bhanvad, Pasthar, and Porbandar.

On the exteriors, the style is distinguished from other north Indian temple styles of the period in "that the external walls of the temples have been structured by increasing numbers of projections and recesses, accommodating sharply carved statues in niches.

The main shikhara tower usually has many urushringa subsidiary spirelets on it, and two smaller side-entrances with porches are common in larger temples.

Some designs push out balconies at intervals up the shaft; the most extreme version of this was in the lost upper parts of the so-called "shaking minarets" at the Jama Mosque, Ahmedabad,[7] which fell down in an earthquake in 1819.

The local tradition was modified and expanded to suit Islamic believes, rituals and practices.

The Champaner-Pavagadh Archaeological Park, the 16th century capital of Gujarat Sultanate, documents the early Islamic and pre-Mughal city that has remained without any change.

[14] During the British colonial period, Gujarat was ruled by several princely states, the rulers of which designed elaborate palaces and public buildings.

Gothic buildings in Gujarat include the Prag Mahal designed by Henry Saint Clair Wilkins.

Rajmahal, a palace in Mehsana completed in 1904, is another example designed by the English architect Frederick William Stevens.

[15][16][17] Pratap Vilas Palace and Willingdon Crescent (known Darbargarh Market now) in Jamnagar has influences of European architecture.

[22] Le Corbusier, was invited to Ahmedabad in the 20th century by the mill owners to design their villas as well as some public buildings.