Built in the sixteenth and seventeenth centuries; India’s Mughal monuments—including majestic forts; mosques; palaces; and tombs; such as the Taj Mahal—are world renowned for their grandeur and association with the Mughals; the powerful Islamic empire that once ruled most of the subcontinent. In Monumental Matters; Santhi Kavuri-Bauer focuses on the prominent role of Mughal architecture in the construction and contestation of the Indian national landscape. She examines the representation and eventual preservation of the monuments; from their disrepair in the colonial past to their present status as protected heritage sites.Drawing on theories of power; subjectivity; and space; Kavuri-Bauer’s interdisciplinary analysis encompasses Urdu poetry; British landscape painting; imperial archaeological surveys; Indian Muslim identity; and British tourism; as well as postcolonial nation building; World Heritage designations; and conservation mandates. Since Independence; the state has attempted to construct a narrative of Mughal monuments as symbols of a unified; secular nation. Yet modern-day sectarian violence at these sites continues to suggest that India’s Mughal monuments remain the transformative spaces—of social ordering; identity formation; and national reinvention—that they have been for centuries.
#1302222 in eBooks 1998-10-01 1998-10-01File Name: B00EHKJG40
Review
22 of 22 people found the following review helpful. An Interior Design Book for Book Lovers!By dsvA lovely book! The interiors shown are wonderful. Real rooms lived in by real people. I am so weary of decorating and interior design books with perfect interiors and lighting. The photographs tie in nicely with the literary quotes. I found myself running to my bookshelves to look up the quotes and dip into the books referenced by the author. Whatever your style you will find something to delight you. Best of all; nary a flat screen TV hung over a fireplace; or anywhere else for that matter.16 of 16 people found the following review helpful. Soulful and smart inspirationBy Sherry NovembreLBGs book feels like an organic extension of her addictive blog. Warm and conspiratorial; like leaning over the remains of a good meal; drinking the last of the wine with an old friend. Only this friend is a frightening well-read; cheeky artist with a roster of quietly A-list creative compatriots. Theres an inclusive vibe in these pages that inspires and invites. The visuals are rich in detail and the homes seem carefully selected not for their instagram-ready breath-catching effect; but as studied support for the concepts discussed. One of my favorite things about her blog is her visual sense and her free-spirited mix of pinterest pix; old oil paintings; moody photography that she uses so well to express her ideas. I was expecting that assemblage approach. But returning to the pages; I see that her choices were wise; and when you have Ivan T at your elbow ready to bring your vision to life; you probably dont want to waste it.Overall; being a total book-nerd design-freak LBG fan; this was manna from heaven. And my my literary reading list has gotten waaaaaay longer.Thank you Lisa! Bask in your achievement; relax and refill your creative tank; and we look forward to your next interesting adventure.12 of 12 people found the following review helpful. The Coolest Twist On Decorating - LOVE LOVE!!!By SuzeI just got my book today in the mail and had to sit in the coziest place in my home to read it. I have always been a huge fan of Lisa Borgnes Giramontis blog A Bloomsbury Life and this book went way beyond. I am so inspired by how she mixed the decorating basics with Literary classics from authors like Jane Austin; Henry James; F. Scott Fitzgerald and Edith Wharton. There were so many unique tips from layering patterns; using restraint; creating drama with dark and light to how to rock a bohemian room. That doesnt even touch it. Every chapter has so many pearls of wisdom. This is definitely not just another pretty decorating book this is the decorating playbook.