The Royal Palaces of India

Rating:
Summary: A Sumptuous Feast
Review: A gorgeous collection of pictures of castles, palaces and fortresses from all over India. What I liked best about this book is the vast range, geographically and also in period and religious styles. Most people who still have only the vision of Mother Theresa's India, will be amazed at the beautiful sights. For a country that is so full of historical splendor, much of which (beyond the Taj Mahal) is so rarely heard of, this is great tourism handbook. Even the written descriptions and historical backgrounds that accompany the chapters are interesting. Though, perhaps because of the humongous scope, there are some, in my opinion, over generalizations and clumping together of kings and what they did. However, I don't suppose anything else would be possible if the authors were to keep the book light enough to be picked up. All in all. A great book!

Rating:
Summary: Fabulous!
Review: A very informative, thick and large book. Has TONS of info for anyone that is interested in architecture, history, or in India in particular. Also includes many of the floor plans and multiple photos of some of the same Palaces. If you are intersted in this subject, well worth your while.
Enjoy

Rating:
Summary: For the student of Indian architecture, history or royalty..
Review: For the student of Indian architecture, history or royalty, "The Royal Palaces of India" will be a treasure. With more than 250 illustrations (206 are in color), this book brings one's imagination alive and lets your mind wander through the gates of these gorgeous palaces and forts.

Authors Michell and Martinelli explain in a somewhat academic way how kings, both Hindu and Muslim, held their courts.

The power, perks and privileges that accompanied the royalty are dimly reflected in the opulent architecture that shaped both the places and the royal life. It is hard to imagine, even with the excellent help this book provides, what the glory and splendor of these kingdoms must have been like.

The monarchs were "not merely enhanced by divinities, they were ritually empowered by gods and goddesses" and these palaces reflect, as do the cathedrals of Europe, a journey past the mundane existence of morality. Many who have visited India have seen the celebrated Taj Mahal, but it is a tomb to the wife of the great mongol ruler Shah Jahan. Now, if this is was his wife's tomb, what do you think his palace looked like? This is an engaging and enlightening book. Recommended.

Rating:
Summary: For the student of Indian architecture, history or royalty..
Review: For the student of Indian architecture, history or royalty, "The Royal Palaces of India" will be a treasure. With more than 250 illustrations (206 are in color), this book brings one's imagination alive and lets your mind wander through the gates of these gorgeous palaces and forts.

Authors Michell and Martinelli explain in a somewhat academic way how kings, both Hindu and Muslim, held their courts.

The power, perks and privileges that accompanied the royalty are dimly reflected in the opulent architecture that shaped both the places and the royal life. It is hard to imagine, even with the excellent help this book provides, what the glory and splendor of these kingdoms must have been like.

The monarchs were "not merely enhanced by divinities, they were ritually empowered by gods and goddesses" and these palaces reflect, as do the cathedrals of Europe, a journey past the mundane existence of morality. Many who have visited India have seen the celebrated Taj Mahal, but it is a tomb to the wife of the great mongol ruler Shah Jahan. Now, if this is was his wife's tomb, what do you think his palace looked like? This is an engaging and enlightening book. Recommended.

Rating:
Summary: For the student of Indian architecture, history or royalty..
Review: For the student of Indian architecture, history or royalty, "The Royal Palaces of India" will be a treasure. With more than 250 illustrations (206 are in color), this book brings one's imagination alive and lets your mind wander through the gates of these gorgeous palaces and forts.

Authors Michell and Martinelli explain in a somewhat academic way how kings, both Hindu and Muslim, held their courts.

The power, perks and privileges that accompanied the royalty are dimly reflected in the opulent architecture that shaped both the places and the royal life. It is hard to imagine, even with the excellent help this book provides, what the glory and splendor of these kingdoms must have been like.

The monarchs were "not merely enhanced by divinities, they were ritually empowered by gods and goddesses" and these palaces reflect, as do the cathedrals of Europe, a journey past the mundane existence of morality. Many who have visited India have seen the celebrated Taj Mahal, but it is a tomb to the wife of the great mongol ruler Shah Jahan. Now, if this is was his wife's tomb, what do you think his palace looked like? This is an engaging and enlightening book. Recommended.

Rating:
Summary: THE BEST BOOK ON INDIAN ROYALTY
Review: This is certainly the best book ever written on the subject of the royal palaces and lifestyles as practiced in India. It explains clearly the divine power of the monarch, defence, reception, worship etc. The effort made by this author is about the equivalent of what it would have taken to make a motion film on the subject matter. All photographs are large and gives he best finest details on good gloss paper. Apart from the royal buildings and royal practices are the other artifacts that still remain such as royal thrones and weapons. As much as possible, where information is available, the author has includedd illustrations of floor plans with measurement dimensions. This is a great book for artists, cultural lovers, architects and everyone else who want to probe the life of the Maha-rajas (great kings).

Rating:
Summary: THE BEST BOOK ON INDIAN ROYALTY
Review: This is certainly the best book ever written on the subject of the royal palaces and lifestyles as practiced in India. It explains clearly the divine power of the monarch, defence, reception, worship etc. The effort made by this author is about the equivalent of what it would have taken to make a motion film on the subject matter. All photographs are large and gives he best finest details on good gloss paper. Apart from the royal buildings and royal practices are the other artifacts that still remain such as royal thrones and weapons. As much as possible, where information is available, the author has includedd illustrations of floor plans with measurement dimensions. This is a great book for artists, cultural lovers, architects and everyone else who want to probe the life of the Maha-rajas (great kings).

Rating:
Summary: An authoritative survey
Review: Written by a recognized authority on Indian architecture and art, this book emphasizes architecture of Indian palaces and citadels. But what are palaces and its architecture without some interesting history. The description and historical background accompanying the fine-detail-high-gloss mostly-color pictures breathes life into the palaces and stokes the imagination of the reader. This book is an authoritative survey of surviving proofs of lavishness enjoyed by erstwhile Indian royalty. Highly recommended for tourists with enthusiasm for architecture as well as professional architects (This review has been taken from Recipedelights.com).