Sikh Style of Architecture
Art & Culture › Architecture · Topic 1.29
Sikh architecture is the building tradition of the Sikh gurdwaras, from the 16th century, that blends Mughal, Rajput and local Punjabi forms. Its hallmarks are a fluted or lotus-shaped dome, often gilded, kiosks (chhatris), a low platform with four doors for all faiths, and a sarovar, or sacred tank. The Harmandir Sahib (Golden Temple) in Amritsar, Punjab, with the Akal Takht, is the chief example. Guru Arjan built the Harmandir Sahib and the Adi Granth was installed there in 1604. Maharaja Ranjit Singh added gold plating in the early 19th century.
5 min read · UPSC Prelims · Art & Culture · Architecture
At a Glance
- Period 16th century onward
- Main shrine Harmandir Sahib, Amritsar, Punjab
- Features Gilded dome, kiosks, four doors, sarovar
- Influences Mughal, Rajput, Punjabi
- Patron of the gold Maharaja Ranjit Singh
- Exam link UPSC Prelims, Art and Culture: Architecture
Where Does It Fit?
This topic follows the Mughal style and covers how the Sikh community took Mughal and Rajput forms and gave them its own meaning. It leads to the regional styles that followed. Previous topic: Mughal Style. Next topic: Avadh (Oudh) Style.
What Are the Main Sikh Shrines and Takhts?
| Shrine | Place and state | Key facts |
|---|---|---|
| Harmandir Sahib (Golden Temple) | Amritsar, Punjab | Sarovar dug under Guru Ram Das; Harmandir built under Guru Arjan, foundation laid by the Sufi saint Mian Mir; sikhism/" class="maargx-auto-link" data-preview="At a Glance Founder Guru Nanak, born 1469 at Talwandi Teaching One God, the Name, honest work, sharing Base Kartarpur Scripture Adi…">Adi Granth installed 1604; gilded under Ranjit Singh |
| Akal Takht | Amritsar, Punjab | Founded by Guru Hargobind in 1606 as the seat of temporal authority, facing the Harmandir Sahib |
| Takht Sri Keshgarh Sahib | Anandpur Sahib, Punjab | Birthplace of the Khalsa, 1699 |
| Takht Sri Damdama Sahib | Talwandi Sabo, Punjab | Guru Gobind Singh prepared the Guru Granth Sahib here |
| Takht Sri Patna Sahib | Patna, Bihar | Birthplace of Guru Gobind Singh |
| Takht Sri Hazur Sahib | Nanded, Maharashtra | Place of the passing of Guru Gobind Singh |
| Gurdwara Bangla Sahib | New Delhi | Linked to Guru Har Krishan |
| Gurdwara Sis Ganj Sahib | Chandni Chowk, Delhi | Marks the martyrdom of Guru Tegh Bahadur |
| Kartarpur Sahib | Narowal, Pakistan | Guru Nanak’s last years; the Kartarpur corridor from India opened in November 2019 |
What Are the Features of a Gurdwara?
- Four doors: open on four sides to show welcome to all
- Low platform: the building is raised a little, and entry is by steps down, to express humility
- Dome: a fluted, inverted lotus dome, gilded at the Harmandir
- Chhatris: small kiosks round the roofline
- Sarovar: a holy tank, usually in front of the shrine
- Decoration: inlay of marble, floral frescoes and mirror work
- Langar hall: a community kitchen with free meals
- Nishan Sahib: a flag on a high pole outside
What Else Should You Remember?
- Alternate names: Harmandir Sahib is also called Darbar Sahib, Sri Harmandir Sahib and the Golden Temple
- Land: Guru Ram Das founded Ramdaspur, later Amritsar, on land acquired for the purpose, and had the sarovar dug
- Gold plating: Maharaja Ranjit Singh covered the dome and upper levels in gold, in the early 19th century, and the marble work was also renewed
- Akal Takht damage: the building was damaged in 1984 during Operation Blue Star and later rebuilt
- Five Takhts: Akal Takht, Keshgarh, Damdama Sahib, Patna Sahib and Hazur Sahib are the five seats of authority
- Khalsa Heritage Memorial: Virasat-e-Khalsa at Anandpur Sahib is a museum of Sikh history designed by architect Moshe Safdie and opened in 2011
- Fort architecture: Sikh Misl and empire forts include Gobindgarh Fort in Amritsar and Phillaur
- Ranjit Singh’s period: he ruled 1799 to 1839 and built palaces, forts and gurdwaras with Mughal and Rajput elements
- Heritage status: the Golden Temple is not a World Heritage Site, and its place on the tentative list (a 2004 entry is reported) has been disputed by Sikh bodies
- Seva: volunteer service in building and in the langar is central to Sikh practice and to temple maintenance
- Link to Mughal: the arches, domes and inlay follow Mughal Style
- Link to Rajput: the jharokha, kiosk and fresco work follows Rajput Architecture
- Kartarpur corridor: the Kartarpur corridor links Dera Baba Nanak in Gurdaspur district, Punjab, with Kartarpur Sahib in Pakistan, and was opened to pilgrims in November 2019 as a case of cultural diplomacy
- Murals: Sikh palaces and gurdwaras of the 18th and 19th centuries have fresco and mirror work (sheesh mahal style), with floral and mythic scenes, seen at Amritsar and Patiala
- Gurdwara Paonta Sahib: the gurdwara at Paonta Sahib in Himachal Pradesh is linked with Guru Gobind Singh, who stayed there for some years
- Shri Hemkunt Sahib: a high-altitude gurdwara in Chamoli district, Uttarakhand, beside a glacial lake, reached by a trek
Why Does It Matter for the Exam?
- Match questions: Harmandir with Guru Arjan, Akal Takht with Guru Hargobind
- Takht questions: list of five takhts and their states
- Sikh architecture features: four doors, sarovar, gilded dome
- Patrons: Ranjit Singh for gold plating
- Common errors: crediting the Akal Takht to Guru Arjan or naming Patna Sahib in Punjab
As an analytical point, the Sikh shrine expresses equality through its form, with open doors and shared meals. Its model of seva-based upkeep is a strong example of community heritage care.
Why Is This Topic Important?
- Takhts Five seats and states
- Golden Temple Founders and patrons
- Features Four doors and sarovar
What Came Next?
The next topic covers the Avadh style of the Nawabs of Lucknow. Next topic: Avadh (Oudh) Style.
Key People and Terms
- Guru Arjan Harmandir builder
- Guru Hargobind Akal Takht founder
- Ranjit Singh Gold plating patron
- Sarovar Holy tank
- Langar Community kitchen
- Nishan Sahib Sikh flag
Exam Corner
Points to Remember
- Golden Temple: Amritsar, Guru Arjan.
- Akal Takht: 1606, Hargobind.
- Five takhts incl. Patna and Nanded.
- Gold: Ranjit Singh.
- Four doors.
Do Not Confuse With
- Harmandir and Akal Takht Spiritual centre versus temporal seat
- Takht and gurdwara Five seats of authority versus any place of Sikh worship
- Kartarpur and Amritsar Pakistan shrine versus Punjab shrine
Memory Hook
Arjan built the hall, Hargobind the throne, Ranjit gave the gold.
Mains Angle
Questions ask about equality, community service and heritage. These points give a balanced frame.
- Equality Open doors and langar
- Community care Seva model
- Cultural diplomacy Kartarpur corridor
A Question You May Face
An original practice question, not a past paper question.
“How do the design and functions of Sikh shrines reflect the values of the faith?”
How to Answer
- Intro Origin and sources.
- Design Four doors, sarovar.
- Functions Langar, takht.
- Diplomacy Kartarpur.
GS Relevance
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Sikh architecture?
The Sikh architecture style is the building style of the gurdwaras, which blends Mughal, Rajput and Punjabi forms. It has gilded or fluted domes, kiosks, four doors for all people, a low platform that expresses humility and a sarovar. The Harmandir Sahib at Amritsar in Punjab is its best-known example.
Who built the Golden Temple in Amritsar?
The Harmandir Sahib, or Golden Temple, was built under Guru Arjan, the fifth Sikh Guru, with the foundation laid by the Sufi saint Mian Mir. The tank was dug under Guru Ram Das. The Adi Granth was installed in 1604, and Maharaja Ranjit Singh gilded the dome in the early 19th century.
What is the Akal Takht?
The Akal Takht in Amritsar, Punjab, was founded by Guru Hargobind in 1606 as the highest seat of temporal authority in Sikhism. It faces the Harmandir Sahib. It is the first and chief of the five Takhts, and decisions called hukamnamas are issued from it.
Which are the five Takhts of the Sikhs?
The five Takhts are the Akal Takht at Amritsar, Takht Sri Keshgarh Sahib at Anandpur Sahib, Takht Sri Damdama Sahib at Talwandi Sabo, all in Punjab, Takht Sri Patna Sahib in Bihar and Takht Sri Hazur Sahib at Nanded in Maharashtra.
Why are gurdwaras built with four doors?
Gurdwaras have four doors, facing the four directions, to show that people of all castes, faiths and regions are welcome. The building is also set a little low so worshippers step down on entering, which expresses humility. This design principle is a key point in questions on Sikh architecture.
PYQ Practice — Statement Analysis
1 The Akal Takht was founded by Guru Hargobind.
In 1606 at Amritsar.
2 Takht Sri Patna Sahib is in Punjab.
It is in Bihar.
3 Ranjit Singh gilded the Harmandir Sahib.
In the early 19th century.
4 A gurdwara traditionally has four doors.
To show openness to all.
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