Sikh architecture

Sikh architecture is the design and building tradition of Sikh religious spaces, especially gurdwaras. It combines requirements of Sikh worship with regional forms and features such as domes, courtyards, and chhatris.

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Gurdwara: A Sikh place of worship and community gathering, centered on the Guru Granth Sahib. The gurdwara is the principal building type shaped by Sikh architectural traditions.
Harmandir Sahib: The central Sikh shrine in Amritsar, also known as the Golden Temple. Its pool, causeway, and gilded shrine form an influential Sikh architectural ensemble.
Chhatri: A domed pavilion common in South Asian architecture, often raised above a roof or gateway. Chhatris crown Sikh buildings while drawing on a wider regional vocabulary.
Sikh Empire: A sovereign state in the Punjab region, ruled by the Sikh-led Lahore Darbar from 1799 to 1849. Its patrons and institutions supported major shrine construction and renovation.
Gurdwara reform movement: An early twentieth-century Sikh movement that sought community control of gurdwaras and reform of their management. Its institutional changes affected the stewardship of Sikh sacred buildings.
Guru Granth Sahib: The central Sikh scripture, revered as the eternal Guru of the Sikh community. Its presence establishes the sacred focus and spatial orientation of a gurdwara.
Akal Takht: A Sikh seat of temporal authority in Amritsar, opposite Harmandir Sahib. Its monumental platform and facade express authority within the sacred complex.
Dome: A curved roof structure that spans an interior space or crowns a building. Domes are among the most recognizable roof forms in many Sikh shrines.
Mughal architecture: The architectural tradition of the Mughal Empire, known for monumental buildings, gardens, domes, and ornament. Sikh builders adapted forms associated with Mughal architecture for different religious purposes.
Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee: A Sikh organization established in 1920 to manage historic gurdwaras in Punjab and nearby regions. The committee oversees many major sites where architectural heritage meets active worship.