Sikh architecture

Sikh architecture is a distinctive style of architecture that developed under the Sikh Confederacy and later flourished during the Sikh Empire in the 18th and 19th centuries, primarily in the Punjab region. Due to its progressive nature, Sikh architecture has continued to evolve over time, giving rise to several new branches and influencing various contemporary architectural styles.Although Sikh architecture was originally developed as part of the religious and cultural expression within Sikhism, its aesthetic richness and symbolic elements have led to its adoption in many secular and non-religious buildings as well, admired for their beauty and structural harmony. 300 years ago, Sikh architecture was distinguished for its many curves and straight lines; Keshgarh Sahib and the Harmandir Sahib are prime examples of traditional Sikh architecture.

Background

Sikh architecture is heavily influenced by elements of Mughal and Islamic styles. Features such as the onion dome, frescoes, inlay work, and multi-foil arches are derived from the Mughal period, particularly during the reign of Shah Jahan. In contrast, features like chattris, oriel windows, bracket-supported eaves at the string-course, and decorative friezes reflect the influence of Rajput architecture.
Early British authors, such as Thomas Henry Thornton, wrote disparaging reports on Sikh architecture, which impacted its reception and these views continue to the present-day.

Description

Apart from religious buildings, Sikh architecture includes secular fo rts, bungas, palaces, and colleges. The religious structure is called gurdwara. The word gurdwara is a compound of guru and dwara. So, it has an architectural connotation. Sikh gurdwaras are generally commemorative buildings connected with the ten gurus in some way, or with places and events of historical significance. Some examples are Gurdwara Dera Sahib, in Batala in Gurdaspur district. It was erected in memory of the brief stay of Guru Nanak along with his companions on the occasion of his marriage. Gurdwara Shahid Ganj in Muktsar in Faridkot district commemorates the cremation spot of Sikhs who were killed in a battle between Guru Gobind Singh and the Mughals in 1705. The Gurdwara Shish Mahal in Kiratpur, located in the Ropar district of Punjab, marks the birthplace of the eighth Sikh Guru, Guru Har Krishan.
There are over 500 historical gurdwaras across India and Pakistan, many of which are associated with significant events in the lives of the Sikh Gurus.
There are four broad categories regarding shape and layout of Sikh shrine architecture:

square
rectangular
octagonal
cruciform

List of types of Sikh architecture

Conservation

Many priceless Sikh heritage sites have been destroyed or altered beyond recognition under the guise of "kar seva" renovations by various institutions and groups in recent-times, especially vulnerable are Sikh heritage sites in both India and Pakistan according to one scholar, who states it is due to "...the lack of will on the part of the authorities concerned to preserve them". An example of these haphazard and destructive renovations is an incident involving the top section of the historical Darshani Deori gatehouse at the Gurdwara Tarn Taran Sahib complex, which was demolished by Kar Seva groups in March 2019. Many groups are rushing to digitize what historical architecture and structures remains for posterity before they are lost, such as Panjab Digital Library. In July 2021, the SGPC launched a project to archive and document the heritage structures of the community and have set up the old doors of the Golden Temple as museum display when they were replaced. However, around the same time the SGPC denied the importance of a historical Sikh structure discovered underground near the Golden Temple complex, which experts at the Archaeological Survey of India deemed as 'historic'. Also, the SGPC made plans to raze a historical building known as Guru Ram Das Sarai, even in the face of criticism of the decision by experts. As many as ninety percent of Sikh heritage monuments have been destroyed in Punjab in the name of renovation and kar seva. Many historical Sikh structures that were destroyed by Kar Seva renovations include original houses of the Sikh gurus and their relatives.
According to the Sikh historian, Harjinder Singh Dilgeer:
According to Sikh scholar, Gurtej Singh, on who is to blame for the plight of Sikh historical heritage:Peter Bance, when evaluating the status of Sikh sites in present-day India, where the majority of Sikhs live today, criticizes the destruction of the originality of 19th-century-era Sikh sites under the guise of "renovation", whereby historical structures are toppled and new buildings take their former place. An example cited by him of sites losing their originality relates to nanakshahi bricks, which are characteristic of Sikh architecture from the 19th century, being replaced by renovators of historical Sikh sites in India by marble and gold. Bance advocates that a grassroots movement advocating for the proper restoration and preservation of historical Sikh sites and their original architecture is necessary, which works together with private enthusiasts and government bodies in-cooperation with one another. Bance further claims that a lack of willpower rather than a lack of funds is responsible for the poor conservation of Sikh historical sites. Bance believes that the way forward in the modern-age to conserve Sikh heritage must be a digital approach, where social networking and technology is utilized to share research, build-up archives, and promote tourism to these sites. Increased tourism has the potential to increase efforts to preserve and restore Sikh heritage sites. Bance uses the Instagram platform to bring light to forgotten Sikh heritage lying in Pakistan with the wider community, using engagements there to generate social awareness and passion. Through his Instagram account, Bance has been contacted by persons interested in restoring Sikh heritage sites, which have allowed them to be connected with others who specialize in this field. Furthermore, he claims that on a weekly-basis hundreds of members of the general public from both India and Pakistan contact him through social media requesting him to visit their locality to document the Sikh heritage located there, as they lack the know-how on how to do this themselves.
Shahid Shabbir is a Pakistani historian and journalist who has documented countless Sikh heritage sites located in his country, including their extant artwork and architecture. Sikh architecture remains a seldom studied or researched subject.
Virasati Asthan Seva is a Sikh charity dedicated toward preserving historical Sikh sites, known as Asthāns. Some of their current restoration projects are the Havelī Kavī Santokh Singh in Kaithal, Haryana and Gurdwara Bābā Bikram Singh Bedi in Amritsar, Punjab.