The Book Studies The Outstanding Features Of 31 Famous Palaces, Pavilions And Residences Of The Ruling Class In Different Parts Of Medieval India, From The Thirteenth To The Eighteenth Century. It Illustrates And Discusses The Layout Plan Of Each Building In Detail.

The book explores the romance of India's forts and palaces - their past glory, wars and warriors, and unparalleled architecture. The book brings alive the magic of those monuments with a rare combination of prose and inimitable photographs. Master builders, dynasties, armories, underground stepwells, concrete labyrinths - they all come to life in the pages of this masterful tome.

An in-depth survey of Indian palaces. It contains photographs to display the beauty and atmosphere of these buildings, and George Michell evokes life within the palaces and describes their many elements: halls, courtyards, temples, mosques, private apartments and service quarters.

India has a rich cultural past and this is reflected in its innumerable forts, palaces and other monuments, which abound not only in architectural splendour but intriguing individual histories. This book takes a splendid tour of these structures through the whole of India, from Kashmir in the north to Kerala in the south. The architectural magnificence and luxury of these royal palaces are highlighted in the full-colour pictures and detailed essays. Over 325 colour photographs revel in the buildings glorious details and special features, while vivid descriptions of each palace transport the reader back in time into a realm of truly royal experience. Encompassing the rich cultural heritage of India, these forts and palaces offer an authentic Indian experience to heritage lovers.

“[A] concisely yet informatively narrated and gorgeously colorful pictorial survey...” --Booklist Just 60 years after winning independence from British rule, India’s economy is booming and the nation is fast becoming a leading global power. With a population of a billion people, India’s society is as varied as its awe-inspiring landscape. Home to a dizzying array of languages, ethnic groups, beliefs, and lifestyles, India can seem overwhelming in its complexity. India takesthe lid off this cultural melting pot, showing how past events have shaped thisdiverse but unified nation, where tradition and modernity successfully coexist.Through stunning photography and insightful text, India offers an eye-opening, thought-provoking, and authoritative visual guide to one of the world’s most exciting and vibrant nations.

From the Taj Mahal to the Parthenon, from Gettysburg to Heidelberg, from Beacon Hill to Tower Hill, from the Great Wall to Hadrian's Wall, from Jerusalem to Kyoto, the International Dictionary of Historic Places presents some 1,000 comprehensive and fully illustrated histories of the most famous sites in the world. Entries include: location, description, and site office details; and a 3,000 to 4,000 word essay that provides a full history of the site and the condition of the site today. An annotated Further Reading list of books and articles about the site completes each entry.

From Timur's tent in Samarqand to Shah 'Abbas's palace in Isfahan and Humayun's tomb in Delhi, the pavilion has been an integral part of Persianate gardens since its earliest appearance at the Achaemenid garden in Pasargadae in the sixth century BC. Here, Mohammad Gharipour places both the garden and the pavilion within their historical, literary and artistic contexts, emphasizing the importance of the pavilion, which has hitherto been overlooked in the study of Iranian historical architecture. Starting with an examination of the depictions and representations of gardens in religious texts, Gharipour analyses the how the idea of the garden developed from the model of pre-Islamic gardens in Achaemenid and Sassanian Persia to its mentions in the Zoroastrian text of Aban Yasht and on to its central role as paradise in the Qur'an. Continuing on with an exploration of gardens and pavilions in Persian poetry, Gharipour offers in-depth analysis of their literal and metaphorical values. It is in the poetry of major Persian poets such as Ferdowsi, Naser Khosrow, Sa'di, Rumi and Hafez that Gharipour finds that whilst gardens are praised for their spiritual values, they also contain significant symbolic worth in terms of temporal wealth and power. Persian Gardens and Pavilions then goes onto examine the garden and the pavilion as reflected in Persian miniature painting, sculpture and carpets, as well as accounts of travelers to Persia. With masters such as Bizhad representing daily life as well as the more mystical prose and poetry in, for example, Sa'di's Bustan (The Orchard) and Golestan (The Rose Garden), the garden and the pavilion can be seen to have crucial semiotic significances and cultural meanings. But in addition to this, they also point to historical patterns of patronage and ownership which were of central importance in the diplomatic and social life of the royal courts of Persia. Gharipour thereby highlights the metaphorical, spiritual, symbolic and religious aspects of gardens, as well as their more materialistic and economic functions. This book reaches back through Persia's rich history to explore the material and psychological relationships between human beings, pavilions and gardens, and will be a valuable resource for Art History, Architecture and Iranian Studies.

The Indian subcontinent offers a fascinating collection of historic forts and royal palaces waiting to be explored. Over the centuries, as kingdoms rose and fell or expanded into mighty empires, the need for protection against invaders resulted in the building of magnificent forts and fortified citadels across the country. Many of these fortresses sheltered entire cities, as well as royal palaces and pleasure gardens that were known for their splendor and luxury. "Mighty Maharajas: Forts and Palaces of India" brings together a unique architectural legacy from ancient forts mentioned in Hindu epics to strongholds built by succession of rulers, arranged geographically within a historic or aesthetic context. The narrative provides glimpses of history enlivened by stirring tales of valor and sacrifice while lavish color photographs reflect the cultural heritage of each palace and fort, bringing the royal experience to life for the reader. Praise for "Mighty Maharajas" ""Mighty Maharajas: Forts & Palaces of India" by Amita Baig is a beautiful book featuring nearly sixty, very impressive buildings throughout the country. From a design standpoint I am particularly drawn to the bold colors and the acute attention to detail. Take a look!" "Home Design with Kevin Sharkey" ""Mighty Maharajas: Forts & Palaces of India "tours more than 60 historic sites throughout India, including crumbling hillside bastions, royal quarters adorned with dizzying glass mosaics, and opulent colonial-era villas that blend local and European styles." "Elle Decor " "It's fascinating to see how the distinct Indian aesthetic has endured and evolved amid thousands of years of upheaval and outside influences. . . . Architect and photographer Joginder Singh's breathtaking images are there to satisfy those who learn by looking. . . . Singh masterfully captures the play of light and a sense of scale. . . . After coming to the last page, I find myself making all sorts of connections between Indian buildings, textiles, jewelry and fashion." "Style Court" blog "Mighty Maharajas" by Amita Baig, with opulent photographs by Joginder Singh, covers select forts and palaces across the length and breadth of the country, along with their fascinating history. The sumptuous book also offers an interesting glimpse into the lifestyle of the royalty. "An Indian Summer" blog With over 319 color illustrations showcasing ancient forts and palaces, you could lose yourself for hours. Informative narratives offering glimpses of these amazing edifices and their dramatic history as well as photographs illustrating their grandeur and opulence will keep you turning the pages. "Annechovie" blog Blending history, architecture, and photography, ["Mighty"] "Maharajas" takes readers deep into the Indian subcontinent. "Entertainment Weekly" "

Explore the world''s greatest buildings! Architecture is filled with amazing illustrations and photographs that take you to the heart of the world''s landmark buildings. Get the opportunity to look beyond the facade. Examine materials and technology that shape buildings, and identify thekey elements and decorative features of each architectural style. This is the best definitive visual guide on architecture; it covers 5,000 years of architectural design, style, and construction from airports to ziggurats. Dissects architectural wonders inside and out Includes palaces, great temples, cathedrals and towering modern skyscrapers

This comprehensive guide to Southern India’s varied heritage covers all the major Buddhist, Hindu, Muslim and European historical monuments and sites in Maharashtra, Goa, Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh, Tamil Nadu and Kerala. The descriptions vary from forts and palaces, and temple architecture, sculpture and painting, to mosques and tombs, and churches and civic buildings. The guide is divided into travel-friendly itineraries, accompanied by useful location maps. Some of the special features of this travel guide are: (1) The most comprehensive coverage of the region's cities and monuments, museums, and archaeological sites. (2) Includes all the major sites – the great port cities of Mumbai, Chennai and Kochi; the citadels of Golconda, Vijaynagara and Gingee; the rock-cut sanctuaries at Ajanta and Ellora; the temples at Badami, Halebid and Thanjuvar; the mosques of Hyderabad and Bijapur; and the cathedrals at Goa – and hundreds of less well-known places. (3) Detailed up-to-date practical information, with maps and archival photographs.