[(Mughal Architecture and Gardens )] [Author: George Mitchell] [Oct-2011]

by George Michell

Mughal Architecture & Gardens gives an insight into what is undoubtedly one of the most impressive groups of monuments and gardens ever to be ascribed to a single royal lineage.Innovative and inspirational, these 16th and 17th century constructions demonstrate the staggering wealth and power of those responsible for their creation, notably the emperors Akbar, Jahangir and Shah Jahan.Mughal architecture is a remarkable hybrid that fuses building forms and decorative schemesfrom Iran and Central Asia with long-established Indian practice. The most famousexamples arethe Red Fort in Dehli and Taj Mahal in Agra.This beautifully illustrated book outlines the history of Mughal architecture and gardens, from stylistic developments under different emperors, to the geometric origins of Mughal design and decoration. Nowthe gardens aremostly lost, but Michell carefully depicts how they would have been; their structures and layouts, the favoured varieties ofcolorful flowers and scentedplants, and the laborious but innovative methods sometimes used to create running water in areas without natural springs and streams.The author gives particular attention to the major monuments and gardens in the imperial centers of Mughal power, namely Dehli, Agra, Fatehpur Sikri and Lahore. These sections are accompanied by specially commissioned architectural plans as well as over 250 stunning color photographs. Written by a leading authority on Indian architecture, this magnificent book is the quintessential guide to Mughal architecture and garden design.

Genres: Architecture

Unknown Binding

First published October 16, 2011

About the author

George Michell is a world authority on South Asian architecture, and a founder-trustee of the Deccan Heritage Foundation. He is amongst the most distinguished architectural scholars produced by the University of Melbourne.

He was born in Australia and received a Bachelor of Architecture degree from this university in 1968. He then turned his attention to India and obtained his PhD in 1974 from the School of Oriental and African Studies, University of London, for his dissertation on Early Chalukya temple architecture. In 1976 he played a pivotal role in the ‘Arts of Islam’ exhibition at the Hayward Gallery in London. During the 1970s he directed courses on Asian architecture at the Architectural Association, London, as well as coediting Art and Archaeology Research Papers (AARP), a journal specialising in architecture and art of the Islamic and Indian worlds. In 1978 he edited Architecture of the Islamic World: its History and Social Meaning (republished in 1995).

George lives in London with his partner and splits his time between research trips to the Deccan and writing about its ancient architecture, at home.

Reviews

[Lesley Looper · Rating 4 out of 5]

Collection of beautiful photos of fascinating architecture! Wow! The designs and curves look amazing.