Bygone architects of Jaipur city
- Vol.86(8), Aug
- Mumbai Indian Institute of Architects 2021
- 78-81p.
Jaipur was notably the first designed city of India. ‘Architect’ Vidyadhar Bhattacharya was not just the designer of Jaipur city but also the chief executive officer to approve and implement the byelaws of the proposed house and building plans. But after Vidyadhar there is no mention of any building or planning architect for almost a hundred years till the late 19th century where again, the building designing team was put in the limelight in the texts of Jaipur. The title of “architect” was unknown in those early days, and anyone who was a skilled craftsman who could draw, was given the task of putting a built structure together along with master masons. In those days in England, architecture was taught as a subject in the fine arts college. So, ‘skilled’ British architects would collaborate with Indian master masons and craftsmen to create fascinating buildings which can be seen today.