After the glorious Mughal Architecture, India saw the development of the Indo-European Architecture, which was the amalgamation of thestyles of the European countries, like Portugal, Holland, France and England. The Europeans constructed forts, churches, ton halls, clock towers, market complexes, gateways etc.
The architecture of the imperial Portuguese marked by churches and cathedrals reflecting the post-Renaissance European architecture. There are examples of old mansions, remains of fortifications and defences, dating mainly from the 18th century AD. The Portuguese architecture was very much influenced by contemporary developments in Europe at that time. The churches of Goa are fusion of Renaissance principles and aesthetics to suit local colonial tastes, monetary resource and raw materials.
Though Goa is spotted with numerous churches, the representatives of the Indo-European architecture are the Spirit Cathedral of St. Catherine (Se Cathedral), the Church of the Holy or St. Francis of Assisi, the Bom Jesus and the Church of Our Lady of Divine Providence.
The buildings built by the British were not as elegant and grand as that of the Mughals, but were civic and utilitarian buildings and commemorative structures. Indo-European architecture in India during British period closely followed the developments in their home country but also sought inspiration from existing architecture in India for greater legitimacy.
The evolution and development of British Indo-European Architecture in India can be studied from the cities of Kolkota. Chennai, Mumbai, Delhi, Shimla etc. The contributions made by the British lead to the creation of a composite architectural style imbibing European, Indian and Mughal elements and was also called the Colonial Architecture. One of the most significant legacies of Britain's long reign in India is the Colonial Architecture from the two centuries anteceding the struggle for independence. These imposing buildings including palaces, mansions, clubhouses and government offices, represented a hybrid of Western and Eastern sensibilities as their architects sought to plant the flag of British dominance in a foreign culture.
The new princely cities of Jaipur, Bikaner and Mysore are influenced by the Indo-European Architecture. The towns were patterned along British examples of clock towers, railway stations, public offices, assembly halls, water systems and public hospitals.
The finest examples of the Indo-European architecture are the Churches and Convents of Goa, the Fort St. George at Chennai, Fort St. William at Kolkata, the India Gate, the Rashtrapati Bhawan, the Victoria Terminus, the Gateway of India, Crawford Market, Mumbai, Connaught Place, New Delhi etc.
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