Indian Architecture: Buddhist and Hindu Period

by Percy Brown

Few countries possess a richer architectural heritage than India, a country whose buildings are rooted in history, culture, and religion. As a results of India's global discourse with other regions around the world, there have been many influences that have been assimilated into its architecture, producing unique, varied and lively results. This fantastic volume walks the reader through India's history, both architecturally and culturally, exploring its different styles of buildings and providing interesting insights into their origin and evolution. "Indian Architecture" is highly recommended for those with an interest in architecture and Indian history alike. Many vintage books such as this are increasingly scarce and expensive. It is with this in mind that we are republishing this volume now in an affordable, modern, high-quality edition complete with a specially-commissioned new introduction on architecture.

Genres: History, India, Architecture, Art

438 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1956

Reviews

[Stephen · Rating 5 out of 5]

For a very serious student of Indian architecture this book is a must, though it is not a pocket-sized guidebook. Immense detail in text and illustrations. Important, too, for having photos of many temples as they were 80 or 100 years ago.

The first edition came out in 1940. This is the third, edition revised and enlarged. There are three other editions in goodreads, all fairly recent reprints. I'm sure they are the same in content as this one. The paper quality in this 1956 edition is poor, but I wanted to get into goodreads a little more history of this major work than was available there before.

Missing from this book are drawings or photos of the Kailasa at Ellora, of which Brown writes "[it] is not only the most stupendous single work of art executed in India, but as an example of rock-architecture it is unrivalled." Even the finest imaging technology of the 21st C. cannot do visual-spatial justice to this structure in its setting. It's for the best, then, that Brown does not depict it.

I recommend, as for one's first visit to the Grand Canyon, that the approach to the Kailasa be with eyes fixed on the ground of the next step until the viewpoint is reached; then look up and down. Better yet, have someone blindfold you and lead you to the viewpoint over either of these wonders.

[Debasmita Akash · Rating 5 out of 5]

It is a complete book on Indian Architecture wherein the basic knowledge of architecture, it's initiation in form of shelters, to the houses build in for the devotion are well dealt with.

[Udaymaheshwar · Rating 5 out of 5]

for my academics