Nat’ l archives celebrates 135 years with ‘Indian Heritage through Architecture’ exhibition

The National Archives of India (NAI) marked its 135th Foundation Day with an exhibition titled “Indian Heritage through Architecture,” inaugurated by Union Minister of Culture and Tourism, Gajendra Singh Shekhawat, at the Dr Ambedkar International Centre on Tuesday. Running until March 16, the exhibition takes visitors on a journey through India’s architectural evolution, spanning from the Indus Valley Civilisation to modern governance structures, such as the New Central Vista Project.

Upon entering, visitors are greeted by visuals of India’s most iconic landmarks — a blend of ancient wisdom, medieval splendour and modern innovation. The exhibition expertly traces the development of India’s architecture, from the grandeur of Chola dynasty temples to the delicate arches of Mughal palaces and the enduring legacies of British colonial rule.

A central feature of the display is a artwork of Nalanda University, the world’s first residential university, renowned for its significant impact on global education between the fifth and 12th centuries. Nearby, ancient urban centres such as Mohenjo-Daro, Dholavira, Pataliputra and Taxila highlight India’s early achievements in city planning, water management and trade networks.

The exhibition then transports visitors to India’s spiritual sites. The Ajanta and Ellora caves, Elephanta temples and Kanheri caves illustrate the genius behind rock-cut architecture, while the stupas at Sanchi, Amaravati and Sarnath stand as symbols of Buddhism’s spread. Jain temples such as Dilwara and Ranakpur are celebrated for their marble carvings, reflecting spiritual devotion.

Hindu temple architecture is also prominently featured, with structures such as the Khajuraho, Somnath, Brihadeshwara and Lingaraja temples and the Konark Sun Temple, a masterpiece of Odisha’s artistic legacy.

The exhibition moves on to India’s medieval period, showcasing the fusion of Persian, Central Asian and Indian styles during the Delhi Sultanate and Mughal rule. Architectural wonders such as the Taj Mahal, Red Fort, Qutub Minar and Jama Masjid exemplify this blend of cultures. The display also covers the British colonial era, with notable buildings such as Fort St George, Victoria Memorial, Rashtrapati Bhavan and India Gate, all reflecting a mix of European and Indian design influences.

Beyond religious and royal structures, the exhibition highlights India’s engineering brilliance. Water palaces such as Neermahal, Jal Mahal and Udaipur’s Lake Palace demonstrate how Indian architects incorporated water into monumental designs. The stepwells of Rani ki Vav exemplify advanced water conservation techniques that were both functional and artistic. Historic markets such as Chandni Chowk, Meena Bazaar and Connaught Place reveal the evolution of urban planning to accommodate commerce and community life.

India’s transport and governance architecture also takes centre stage, from Mumbai’s Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Terminus to the Juhu aerodrome and the New Central Vista Project, including the newly inaugurated Parliament building, which seamlessly blends modernity with heritage.

The NAI also launched ‘Thumb Printed: Champaran, Indigo Peasants Speak to Gandhi Volume III’, a rare collection of 423 testimonies from farmers who resisted colonial exploitation, including accounts from five women.

As visitors explore the exhibition, they are immersed in a tapestry of India’s architectural and cultural heritage, where the past and present come together in a celebration of the country’s legacy.