While travelling in India, I became fascinated with the variety of patterns in its architecture. Historically, they’re mostly a legacy of the Sultanates and the Mughal Empire, and Islam’s tradition of non-figurative art. But interesting patterns can also be found in Jain, Hindu, Buddhist, Sikh and modern architecture, and also in natural forms.
These galleries collects all the photographs of patterns I took during my visit. I’m releasing these into the public domain. They are far from comprehensive, and others can be found in various places such as Wikimedia Commons.
Part 1: Delhi
Part 2: Agra and Fatehpur Sikri
Part 3: Rajasthan
Part 4: Chandigarh
Part 5: Miscellaneous
AMRITSAR
Harmandir Sahib
A gold painted relief pattern on the Golden Temple of Amritsar
AURANGABAD
Bibi Ka Maqbara
A bit of decorative plasterwork on the poor man’s Taj Mahal
KHAJURAHO
Lakshmana Temple
Typical Hindu temple patterns
ORCHHA
A couple of interesting doors in the abandoned city of Orchha
GWALIOR
Some Mughal-influenced patterns in the stonework of the magnificent Gwalior Fort
MATHURA
Some swirly decoration on an object in the Mathura Museum
VARANASI
Colourful ghat steps on the banks of the Ganges in Hinduism’s holiest city
SARNATH
Geometric design at one of Buddhism’s four holiest sites
LUCKNOW
Bara Imambara
Multi-layered cornicing in a huge Shia shrine
BOMBAY
Chowpatty Beach
Jumbled tetrapods form a breakwater on Bombay’s beach