short essay on indian architecture

The Changing Culture of Architecture in Modern India

The changing culture of architecture in modern  India , both as a lifestyle and as a profession, has been eye-opening. In terms of lifestyle, we never predicted the extent to which architecture and design could affect us as well as the society and culture we live in, nor did we predict how deeply symbolic of our beliefs and attitudes they’d become. As a profession, the huge wave of development and technology that caused us to try and ape everything that didn’t belong to us, has made us question and search for our own identity and provoked us to revisit the solid traditional roots and foundation of Indian architecture .

The 'Architect' in Architecture

The ‘architect’ has evidently lost the authorship and exclusivity s/he once possessed—an observation that might be visible not only in India but in the profession worldwide. Today, the collaborative role of architecture instead rests on developers, clients, various consultants, and foreign firms, somewhere subduing the voice of the architect.

Speaking for the profession in India, it is imperative that the role of the architect be acknowledged more strongly, especially in the planning of cities. The Indian government’s massive Smart Cities Mission , which aims to develop 100 sustainable and citizen-friendly cities all over the country, has done very little to include architectural voices into the conversation. Same goes for our heritage structures that are being replaced by modern structures despite resistance shown by architects. 

As a result, architects are making efforts and are regularly creating platforms that can give way to solutions to better architecture. Practitioners such as Karan Grover, Rahul Mehrotra and Naresh Narasimhan have begun to assume the role of activist. In addition to certain professional bodies like the Council of Architecture, Indian Institute of Architects and Indian Institute of Interior Designers, a lot of cities have very active architects’ groups who meet, interact, disseminate, and share their views on the profession and issues surrounding it. Numerous international architecture conventions are also creating opportunities of increased visibility. Here, major discussions on burning topics such as sustainability and the green movement, integration of urban planning and architecture, and the role of architects in the planning of cities, are being explored. These conversations about how architecture professionals can better society are also beginning to include conversations with planners, governmental bodies, environmentalists, citizens and psychologists.

Women’s participation in the field is definitely growing worldwide, but particularly so in India, where they are contributing to architecture and planning in a myriad of ways and are holding authoritative positions. This is a far cry from the gender-biased profession architecture was in India even a decade back. Needless to say, on many forums, it is the women who are initiating changes.

The Need to Look at 'Cities,' Rather than just 'Buildings'

Many of India’s major cities are experiencing issues of infrastructure, basic planning, and sanitation, though they receive little attention. While smaller cities are proving to be great examples, there is still a need to look at urban planning from scratch. India does have a few architects such as Christopher Charles Benninger , whose focus has been to integrate architecture and urban planning . Numerous architects in the country have realized that working in silos and for their own buildings alone might not work. Many are beginning to look at the larger picture within their cities, and rather than focusing solely on individual projects, are seeing the need for architecture to engage with cities.

Considering how architecture can affect the socio-cultural imprint of a city, the social responsibility of an architect is being profoundly displayed

Considering how architecture can affect the socio-cultural imprint of a city, the social responsibility of an architect is being profoundly displayed by a handful of architects in the country such as Brinda Somaya , Pratima Joshi , PK Das and Abha Narain Lambah , who are working on community architecture and are passionately involved with restoring or conserving heritage structures. Then there are architects like Nimish Patel and Parul Zaveri , Bijoy Jain and Girish Dariyav Karnawat whose works have not only brought forth the immense resource of ’craftspeople’ that we have in the country, but has also helped in uplifting these ‘treasures.’

Architects are joining in social movements and demanding public dialogues to curb the disconnect between what people want and what is being offered to them. In terms of safety and security, architects like Neera Adarkar are bringing into focus the ‘gendering of spaces’ and concepts such as ‘eyes on the street.’ There has also been a surge of non-profit organizations in the country, who are not only voicing their opinions on the degradation of design and cities, but are physically working on solutions. Through this, citizens are able to participate in building their cities like never before. Now, there are even opportunities for citizens to participate in and provide feedback for master-planning, a recent example being Bengaluru.

The Shift in Design Sensibilities

The growing economy and population has led to enormous housing needs, driving the extent of architectural work and creating massive opportunities in the country. It is also one of the reasons why the number of foreign architectural firms working in India has increased. In the aftermath of cities burdened by the lack of infrastructure, the opportunity to design and make a difference in India has become immense. This has also led to the increasing number of Indian architects, who, after receiving their architectural education overseas, have returned to India to practice and be a part of the shift the country is going through.

An influence from the West, glass and designer-shaped buildings began as design statements some years back, but are now shunned by responsible architects for their out-of-context implementation. Indian architecture is seeing many explorations. Though globalization is widely influencing the architecture being built in India today, the need and anxiety to localize is also fiercely felt by many.

Glass, steel and aluminium might remain as ‘fashionable’ materials, but there has been a shift in sensibilities with the revival of Indian crafts

Glass, steel and aluminium might remain as ‘fashionable’ materials, but there has been a shift in sensibilities with the revival of Indian crafts and the use of natural and alternative materials such as brick, mud, clay, bamboo, wood, stone, etc. Significantly, many architects such as Krishnarao Jaisim, Neelam Manjunath , Sathya Prakash Varanashi, Chitra Vishwanath , Anupama Kundoo , Yatin Pandya , Dean D’Cruz and Samira Rathod are innovatively bringing forward these materials to create statements. India can also take pride in its legends like Didi Contractor , an 88-year old woman, whose training in architecture has not been formal but come from Didi's empirical knowledge attributed to her wide reading and exposure to the field. Even at this age today, her work with mud and clay have revealed how we all should turn to nature for our answers.

The concepts of sustainability and ‘going green’ have become commonplace though some architects and real estate builders use these terms more so as marketing gimmicks rather than as a mandate for responsible design. Discussions around the two have taken center stage at architectural forums, conveying the urgency felt by architects and planners in India to correctly interpret and use them.

The importance of context, sustainability, nature, and creating an architecture that is true to our culture and cultivates an ‘Indian identity’ has gained much credence. The works of legends such as  Charles Correa , BV Doshi, Raj Rewal , Laurie Baker , CN Raghavendran , Shiv Datt Sharma , among others, have long represented Indian architecture on international platforms. Today, a lot of younger contemporary practices in India have joined them, such as Sanjay Puri Architects , Mathew & Ghosh Architects and Morphogenesis who are making waves overseas for their futuristic thinking that rests on a traditional ethos and the core tenets of a contextual, responsible and resourceful architecture. Apart from globally positioning themselves at expos, biennials and award competitions, Indian architects are doing a fair amount of work overseas too.

The adaptation to technology has also been appreciable with advancements being successfully integrated in design aspects. India’s emerging architects have exemplified a lot of fresh work that could be grouped under ‘contemporary Indian sensibility'—a sensibility that takes the roots and ethos of Indian architecture and integrates them into contemporary vocabulary. The step towards bold and experimental architecture has already been taken, for example, in the work done by Malik Architects and Planet 3 Studios. Many are involved in a critical reinterpretation of how buildings and spaces should be.

For many architects in the country, architecture is not merely about the ‘aesthetics,’ it is about functionality

The re-conceptualisation of spaces has been a revelation too. There are several architects such as Sanjay Mohe and Sandeep Khosla who have focused on the spatial experiences of the built environment. For them, as for many others, it’s about designing buildings as spaces, and not merely ‘objects.’ Even once forgotten spaces like kitchens and bathrooms are now seeing makeovers as they become spaces of immense significance. For many architects in the country, architecture is not merely about the ‘aesthetics,’ it is about functionality, about a ‘way of living’, about how the profession can affect us.

What the Profession Also Needs

Changing lifestyles have transformed the meaning of architecture for many. The perils of technological exploitation, excessive virtual networking leading to failures in proper communication, the dependence on patrons and well-travelled clients, and the diminishing importance given to culture and heritage are the challenges facing architecture in India today. There is lots of information available, but is it being converted into knowledge? While changing lifestyles have impacted architecture, it is important for the profession to ruminate on how it can in turn make a lasting impact on transforming lifestyles.

The profession’s woes also have a lot to do with architectural education in India, which has been deteriorating over the decades and could use an overhaul. Though the field has a lot of well-acclaimed academics in India, the unexpected proliferation of architecture schools and the easy path to licensure have been huge sources of consternation in India, as has the curriculum and faculty. So much so that a small number of firms have even taken upon themselves to hold smaller academic programs, and train students themselves.

The role of Indian media in architecture and design, has also remained very limited. There are very few people in the country who have taken it upon themselves to make a difference to architecture and cities through writing. Though the subject of writing on architecture has seen much growth in the past few years with people expressing their interest towards it, one would like to see the Indian media getting into more participatory roles and becoming an analytical weapon in making everyone realize how architecture and planning can affect cities.

To conclude, Indian architecture is in a state of flux where we have everything—explorations, opportunities, experiments and evolved sensibilities—and a step in the right direction could yield great results and maybe help in re-discovering what we have lost. The need of the hour is to not be carried away with what is happening around us, but to understand our needs, our expectations, our roots and work towards an architecture that adapts to changing lifestyles but stays true to its values and identity; that communicates to people and shapes our society; that helps in building memories and gives us buildings and spaces that can sustain till posterity.

Ar. Apurva Bose Dutta ( www.apurvabose.com ) is an author and award-winning architectural journalist from India. An alumna of the Chandigarh College of Architecture, with a diploma in freelance journalism from the U.K., Apurva has spent the past 12 years writing about the A/E/C industry, bringing every aspect to the forefront. While she is working towards making architectural journalism a mainstream profession in India through her various initiatives, she also wants to highlight journalism as THE medium to talk about, critique, and create a demand for better architecture for society.

Her recent book,  " ARCHITECTURAL VOICES OF INDIA: A Blend of Contemporary and Traditional Ethos" (published by Cambridge Scholars Publishing, UK), brings out the voices of 19 illustrious architects from India across generations, conversing through dialogues about the core issues and perspectives around architecture. These voices bring to the forefront unique and inspirational journeys, varied design philosophies and building typologies, the evolution of architecture and a reflection on the new role that architects should play, and the state of the profession in India and globally. More information on the book is available on http://www.apurvabose.com/book/  

Apply Discount Code INDIAFEB18 to avail a  50% DISCOUNT  (valid until 1 March) on  http://www.cambridgescholars.com/architectural-voices-of-india  

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Awesome & inspiring article... makes me wanna come back!

This IS inspiring, in large part because it seem that there are a lot of influential architects in India who do not want to go down the same internationalist road as China or many parts of the Middle East. Not wanting their culture to wash away in the quest for modernity.  Bravo.

This quote says a lot:

"Architects are joining in social movements and demanding public dialogues to curb the disconnect between what people want and what is being offered to them."

Articles like these will surely provide insight to us freshers in the profession about the current state of Indian Architecture and inspire us to explore our heritage and culture.

On a path towards "Re-discovering what we have lost".

Dear Ar.Dutta,

A very well written article,explaining how the Indian architects voice needs to be heard and Incorporated in our micro and macro level planning.

Especially,the use of sustainable materials and proper town planning.

Any country that respects the wisdom of it's at hitects sees marvellous results in terms of development and the society at large lives a very comfortable life!

Please keep writing these insightful articles and hopefully our architectural sector gets more organized so that we can make an impact on the Indian cityscapes!

The article has concerns with focus on the current situation. I agree with the views expressed, In all the changes that are happening around the cities, I observe a distinct silent professional tug of war between two Groups being played on the cities built habitat. NPEEE ( supporting earth quake resistance structures) dominated by Engineers and The other Group is the Fraternity of Conservation and Heritage Architects. NPEEE would like to Raze down as many existing timber structures in the old city and propose RCC buildings with Earthquake resistance structures. Conservation Architects would want to  preserve and restore while updating with structural stability norms. But Sadly Engineers and Developers seem to be faster in actions than Architects. The case of the Himalayan range and near by settlements are ample proof where local building technology has been replaced for fear of Earthquakes and floods. Innovations are required to provide safe structures while retaining Local identities and architectural style.

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Indian Architecture and Sculpture

Art and architecture is regarded as a material record of the intellectual evolution of mankind through the ages. Every single society leaves its own mode of expression and cultural impact through its art and architecture. Thus, art and architecture throw an important light on the political, religious and socio-economic aspects of a period. Architecture is one of the most enduring achievements of Indian civilization and the architectural heritage of India is nearly 5000 years old. The extensive town planning of the Indus Valley Civilization is evident from the archaeological findings at the sites of Harappa, Mohenjodaro and Lothal.

However, the beginning of Indian architecture in true sense can be traced to the Mauryan Empire, particularly during the reign of Ashoka (c. 270-232 B.C.), when extensive construction of Buddhist stupas and monasteries was undertaken. The Buddhist architectural heritage of this period remained predominant for several centuries and left its indelible mark even to this date in the form of the ‘Great Stupa’ at Sanchi and the rock-cut caves at Ajanta. The dynasties that followed like the Guptas, Chandellas, Solankis and the Gangas were also great patrons of art and architecture. The ancient Indian architecture reached its zenith during the Gupta period. By the turn of the eighth century, the southern Hindu school of architecture began to flourish under the Pallava, Chola, Hoysala and the Vijayanagara rulers. The rock-cut temples of Mahabalipuram, the temples of Kanchipuram, the Hoysala temples at Belur and Halebid and the ‘Meenakshi Temple’ in Madurai are excellent examples of South Indian architecture. The advent of Muslim rule brought in new elements of architectural finesse such as floral motifs, domes and artistic calligraphy.

The Mughals were great builders and gave state patronage to art and architecture. The Islamic architecture reached its acme under the Mughals, who constructed many beautiful forts, palaces, mosques and gardens. The Red Fort and Jama Masjid at Delhi, the Taj Mahal, Agra Fort and ‘Fatehpur Sikri’ in Agra, the ‘Badshahi Gardens’ at Lahore and the ‘Shalimar Gardens’ at Kashmir are fine specimens of the Mughal architecture.

During the Colonial Period new elements of Gothic, Imperial, Christian and Victorian architectural styles were introduced into the Indian Architecture. The British constructed several important buildings in different parts of the country including St. Martin’s Garrison Church, the Presidency College, Chennai; the Gateway of India at Mumbai and the Rashtrapati Bhawan at New Delhi.

The exit of the British after India’s Independence left a vacuum in building activities in the country. Indian architects took some time to break the shackles of colonialism and adopt new indigenous styles. Soon leading foreign architects like Le Corbusier and indigenous ones like Charles Correa and Balakrishna Doshi emerged on the scene and provided much needed dynamism to the dormant architectural scene in India.

Other Articles on Indian Architecture :

• Mauryan Architecture
• Sunga, Kushan and Satavahana Architecture
• Ancient Schools of Art in India
• Temple Architecture of India
• Jain Architecture
• Cave Architecture
• Rajput Architecture
• Indo-Islamic Architecture
• Colonial Architecture
• Modern Architecture
• Sculpture in India
• World Heritage Sites of India
• Renowned Architects & Sculptors of India

India’s Cultural Architecture and Society’s Role in Shaping It

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Language is not just the one that is spoken or written; language is how the thought that appears on one’s mind’s eye. Language could be visual and suggestive. Language could be a pattern that is hidden. One such language is the language of architectural forms driven by society and culture, which does not make noise, humbly sits as evidence of the past and spectator of the future. Indian architectural language is so unique and states everything that happened throughout the country’s past, change, growth, and destruction. India always had a very sensitive and constructively established society and architecture. Many religions, caste systems, and much diversity were always present in the country. Though many social evils prevailed at different eras, religions and their philosophies made sure that they would reestablish the society from time to time. Spirituality, as a background process, these changes have always acted throughout its history. All these consequences created India that was there before the British rule. The chapter takes the readers through all the aspects of what shaped India as a country, through its evolution, toward the current state where drastic changes occurred from the perspective of sociology and architecture. The patterns helped guide society without being in the forefront and which helped people in establishing a country called India. Architecture will be shown as the outcome of all of these processes as an unspoken language rather than as a visual language.

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Vajjha, P.M. (2019). India’s Cultural Architecture and Society’s Role in Shaping It. In: Brunn, S., Kehrein, R. (eds) Handbook of the Changing World Language Map. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-73400-2_194-1

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Taj Mahal Essay

500+ words essay on the taj mahal.

The Taj Mahal is a great Indian monument that attracts thousands of people from all over the world every year. It is located on the bank of the Yamuna River in the city of Agra in Uttar Pradesh. It is situated around 2.5 km away from the Agra Fort. It is known as the symbol of love as Mughal emperor Shah Jahan built it in memory of his wife, Mumtaz Mahal. The Taj Mahal is the best-known and most famous example of Mughal architecture, which combined elements from Islamic and Indian architectural styles. The essay on the Taj Mahal is the most common topic which is asked in the English paper. So, students must go through this essay and try to write their own essay on the Taj Mahal in English.

Taj Mahal: The Symbol of Love

The Taj Mahal is one of the seven wonders of the world. It is recognized as one of the most beautiful structural compositions in the world and was designated as a UNESCO World Heritage site in 1983. Shah Jahan built the Taj Mahal in memory of his honourable and beloved wife, Mumtaz Mahal, after she passed away. It is said that Shah Jahan gifted the Taj Mahal to his wife. It represents the love and bond of husband and wife and is recognized as the symbol of love. Interestingly, the Taj Mahal is believed to reflect the different moods of Mumtaz because it is pinkish in the morning, milky white in the evening and golden when the moon shines.

Shah Jahan made four promises to his wife when she was alive. These promises include building the Taj, marrying again, visiting the tomb on every death anniversary, and being gentle with his children. After two years, he decided to make a monument to honour the memory of his wife. So, he decided to build an exceptional monument that had never been constructed before. He turned it into a reality by making the Taj Mahal with the effort of 20,000 workers. It took 22 years to complete the construction of the Taj Mahal. It was also suspected that Shah Jahan cut the hands of all the 20,000 workers so that they would never build this type of monument again.

What Makes the Taj Mahal So Special?

The Taj Mahal is termed “the jewel of Muslim art in India”. The architecture of the Taj Mahal has five different main elements. The main gateway of the Taj Mahal is a curved shape and looks beautiful. There comes a beautiful garden after entering through the main gate. The garden has a long pool of water. The garden has beautiful beds of flowers and green trees. The Masjid is located on the left side of the Taj, which is built using red sandstones. The rest house is located on the right side of the Taj; it is named Saqqara Khaana. The Taj Mahal is constructed using 28 different types of precious stones and varieties of marble. It has been structured by combining various architectural styles like Indian, Persian, Islamic and Turkish. The white marbles used in the construction of the Taj Mahal are very expensive, and the architecture is decorated with ornamental gem materials.

The Archaeological Survey of India carries out the management of the Taj Mahal. It is one of the most beautiful monuments in India. Tourists from all over the world visit the place to enjoy the beauty of this monument of love. So, every individual must help in preserving and maintain such an incredible monument.

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Frequently Asked Questions on Taj Mahal Essay

Why is the taj mahal known as the symbol of love.

Taj Mahal was built in the span of 20 years by emperor Shah Jahan in memory of his beloved wife Mumtaz Mahal. Thus it is seen as a depiction of love.

Is the Taj Mahal still one of the World’s Wonders?

Yes, the Taj Mahal had constant visitors even during the COVID pandemic season and remains one of the famous World Wonders.

How to write a descriptive and impressive essay?

It is important for a student to use different words while writing essays, as repetitive words can lead to boring content. Students should thus read articles, newspapers, blogs, etc., to improve their vocabulary skills.

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Architects of India :20 Most Influential architects in the history of India

Architecture in India began 5000 years ago and till now, is perhaps the country’s greatest glory. The people, circumstances, and social, cultural, and political situations from various locations and periods in Indian history have been diverse; which in turn brought about a wide variety in architectural styles . Every piece of architecture regardless of its form and features has served a specific purpose and shaped India’s history into what it is today. As important as Indian architecture is, so are the maestros who have ideated and constructed it. Countless architects of India have emerged throughout  history but only a handful are said to have  made  history.

So, let’s start from the beginning!

1.  Harappan Planners | Architects of India

The earliest form of architecture in India can be traced back to the Harappan civilization around 3300 BC. The extensive town planning techniques adopted by Harappan architects and planners only went to show that they were way ahead of their time, and have been reiterated in countless modern cities.

2. Ashoka | Indian Architects

India has seen great architectural advances under the rule of Ashoka the Great. Not only did he propagate Buddhist architecture by commissioning stupas and shrines, but even the stonework of the Ashokan Period was highly diversified.

3. South Indian Rulers | Architects of India

With the establishment of Hindu kingdoms in south India, Dravidian and rock-cut temple architecture began to flourish. Credit goes to not just the rulers but also the architects of the Pallava, Chola, and Vijayanagara courts. Temples like the Meenakshi and rock-cut temples at Thanjavur, Mahabalipuram bear testament to the architectural excellence of South Indian rulers.

4. Muslim Rulers and Indian craftsmen

Indo Islamic style came to India tagging along with the Muslim Rulers and gave us a chance to witness some of the most glorious architectural masterpieces . This style as the name suggests is a mixture of Hindu (Indian) and Muslim (Iranian) style. Though they were designed by Muslim architects, Indian craftsmen were employed who had their own ideas about the form and method of construction which culminated in a beautiful amalgamation.

5. Ustad Ahmed | Famous Indian Architecture

The Taj Mahal , often considered as the zenith of Mughal Architecture was commissioned by Shah Jahan and is a symbol of his undying love for his wife, as we all know. What we don’t know, however, was who designed it. Its architecture makes it evident that the Taj Mahal was planned by professional architects who knew what they were doing and not by a prince or an amateur. Ustad Ahmed, an architect in the court of Shah Jahan is credited as the chief architect of the Taj Mahal and a 17th-century manuscript claims that he also designed the Red Fort in Delhi.

6. William Emerson | Architects of India

With the beginning of the new British Raj-era came a new architectural tradition; a tradition that was pursued by marrying existing Indian styles with imported styles from the West. This era also brought to the world a lot more names in terms of architects and one such name was William Emerson . He was a British architect who was President of the Royal Institute of British Architects worked extensively in India, and designed the Victoria Memorial in Kolkata.

7. Henry Irwin | Famous Indian Architects

Irwin was another British architect who played a major role in Indo-Saracenic Architecture. The Madras High Court, built-in 1892, was one of his most prominent projects and is a prime example of this style.

8. Lutyens-Baker | Architect of India

Edwin Lutyens played an active role in designing and building New Delhi, the seat of the Indian government today. His collaboration with Sir Herbert Baker was the talk of the town, and together, they were the architects of several monuments like the India Gate and the Rashtrapati Bhavan.

9. Ganesh Deolalikar | Ancient Architects of India

Post Indian independence, India had only about 300 trained architects and only one training institution. Thus, the first generation of Indian architects studied abroad. One such early architect was Ganesh Deolalikar, who had a traditionalist style and designed the Supreme Court building.

10. Le Corbusier | Famous Indian Architects

A French architect, known to be a pioneer of modernist architecture, Le Corbusier was commissioned by Jawaharlal Nehru to design his dream city Chandigarh. The sector-wise division of the city and its overall urban planning places Chandigarh amongst the best-planned cities of the world.

Currently a student of Bachelors in Architecture, Medha yearns to unceasingly learn new things. Here at RTF, she intends to put forth her ideas on architecture, and believes that words encapsulate the essence of a design. She aspires to create something beautiful, one day.

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Officials change course amid outrage over bail terms for Indian teen accused in fatal drunk driving accident

By Arshad R. Zargar

May 22, 2024 / 1:37 PM EDT / CBS News

New Delhi — Indian justice officials have changed course amid outrage over the bail terms set for a teenager accused of killing two people while driving a Porsche at high speed while drunk and without a license. The 17-year-old son of a wealthy businessman had been ordered to write a 300-word essay and work with the local traffic police for 15 days to be granted bail — a decision that was made within 15 hours of his arrest.

He is accused of killing two young people while speeding in his luxury car on Sunday in the western Indian city of Pune.

The lenient bail conditions initially imposed by the local Juvenile Justice Board shocked many people, including officials, across India. The local police approached the board with an appeal to cancel his bail and seeking permission to treat the boy, who is just four months shy of his 18th birthday, as an adult, arguing that his alleged crime was heinous in nature.

In 2015, India changed its laws to allow minors between 16 and 18 years of age to be tried as adults if they're accused of crimes deemed heinous. The change was prompted by the notorious 2012  Delhi rape case , in which one of the convicts was a minor. Many activists argued that if he was old enough to commit a brutal rape, he should not be treated as a minor.

On Wednesday night, after three days of outrage over the initial decision, the Juvenile Justice Board canceled the teen's bail and sent him to a juvenile detention center until June 5. It said a decision on whether he could be tried as an adult, which would see him face a more serious potential sentence, would be taken after further investigation.

Late Sunday night, police say the teen, after drinking with friends at two local bars in Pune, left in his Porsche Taycan, speeding through narrow roads and allegedly hitting a motorcycle, sending the two victims — a male and female, both 24-year-old software engineers — flying into the air and killing them.

The parents of both victims have urged authorities to ensure a strict punishment for the teen.

The suspect was first charged with causing death by negligence, but that was changed to a more serious charge of culpable homicide not amounting to murder. On Wednesday he was also charged with drunk driving offenses.

Police have arrested the suspect's father and accused him of allowing his son to drive despite being underage, according to Pune Police Commissioner Amitesh Kumar. The legal age for driving in India is 18. Owners of the two bars where the minor was served alcohol have also been arrested and their premises seized.

"We have adopted the most stringent possible approach, and we shall do whatever is at our command to ensure that the two young lives that were lost get justice, and the accused gets duly punished," Kumar said.

Maharashtra state's Deputy Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis had described the original decision of the Juvenile Justice Board as "lenient" and "shocking," and called the public outrage a reasonable reaction.

Road accidents claimed more than 168,000 lives in India in 2022. More than 1,500 of those people died in accidents caused by drunk driving, according to Indian government data.

Under Indian law, a person convicted of drunk driving can face a maximum punishment of six months in prison and a fine of about $120 for a first offense. If, however, the drunk driving leads to the death of another person, the offender can face two to seven years in prison.

• Deadly Crash
• Deadly Hit And Run
• Drunk Driving

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