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Informationen zum Autor A.S. Bhalla is a Special Professor at the School of Contemporary Chinese Studies! University of Nottingham! UK and was formerly Fellow of Sidney Sussex College! Cambridge and Special Adviser to the President of International Development Research Centre (IDRC)! Ottawa. Earlier he had a distinguished career in the United Nations Civil Service. He has held academic positions at Cambridge! Oxford! Yale and Manchester. He is the author of Poverty and Exclusion of Minorities in China and Indi a! Royal Tombs of India and Poverty among Immigrant Children in Europe! among other publications. Much has been written about Imperial architecture, but this is the first book to dig deeply into the extent of imperial extravagance set against the economic and social conditions of ordinary subjects, from Ashoka to the Raj. Zusammenfassung Much has been written about the Imperial architecture of the Indian subcontinent, but this is the first book to dig deeply into the extent of imperial extravagance set against the economic and social conditions of ordinary subjects. Bhalla uses an extensive collection of illustrations to complement this apparent paradox, assessing three Indian empires – Hindu, Muslim and British. From the 3rd century BC through to the end of British colonialism, splendid and often deliberately ostentatious buildings glorified the contemporary social structures. Moving through these different periods, important symbols of the various empires are assessed, including the fort palaces of Agra, Delhi and Lahore and the Taj Mahal. The author here examines both the positives and negatives of empire, taking in social stability but also exploitation and oppression, exploring the subject of Indian poverty in a historical perspective alongside the more lasting symbols of empire. Through comparisons and contrasts, from the mausolea and palaces of the Mughals to the government buildings and memorials provided by the British, this is a comprehensive and well-researched overview of a country whose architectural history gives important insights into the diversity of its rulers. This unique look into colonial architecture and power dynamics will prove essential readers for students, researchers and all those with an interest in South Asian history or the history of architecture. Inhaltsverzeichnis PrefaceAcknowledgements Introduction PART IThe Hindu Empires and KingdomsThe Maurya and Gupta Empires and Later KingdomsPART II The Muslim Kingdoms and Empire 2. The Pre-Mughal Muslim Kingdoms of the North 3. The Deccan Muslim Kingdoms4. The Mughal Empire and BeyondPART IIIThe British Raj5. Social Glimpses of the Raj6. Imperial Splendour of the Presidencies7. Summer Capitals and Cantonments 8. Palaces of Learning9. British India and the Mother CountryPART IV Conclusion10. Pomp, Extravaganza and PovertyGlossaryNotesList of IllustrationsIllustration CreditsBibliography Index...
