Delhi, Agra, Fatehpur Sikri Monuments, Cities and Connected Histories
- ISBN: 9789389104103
- Author: Shashank Shekhar Sinha
- Publisher: Pan Macmillan
- Pages: 416
- Format: Paperback
Book Description
‘Very impressive' – Rudrangshu Mukherjee, Chancellor and Professor of History at Ashoka University
‘A must-read for all’ – Syed Ali Nadeem Rezavi, author of Fathpur Sikri Revisited
‘Offers an excellent academic–public interface for the study of monuments’ – Rana Safvi, author of The Forgotten Cities of Delhi and Shahjahanabad
‘A book to be read several times, in different ways’ – Swapna Liddle, author of Connaught Place and the Making of New Delhi
DELHI, AGRA, FATEHPUR SIKRI, historic cities of legend and lore and home to six UNESCO World Heritage Sites, have captured the imagination of Indians and the world at large for centuries. In this ambitious book, Shashank Shekhar Sinha traces the extraordinary pasts of the three imperial capitals, their monuments, settlements and extended geocultural connections, while presenting a graphic account of the iconic heritage sites – from the life and times of rulers who built them, their survival through periods of war, turmoil and conquests, to their present afterlives.
Packed with intriguing and little-known stories about the monuments – busting several myths around them along the way – the book takes us on a journey from the pillared galleries of the mosque at the Qutb Minar complex, the majestic double dome of Humayun’s tomb, the bastions of the impenetrable Agra Fort, the picturesque pavilions at Fatehpur Sikri, the tapering minarets of the Taj Mahal, to finally the Mughal court of the Red Fort, giving us the full measure of their dazzling grandeur.
Steeped in history, culture, art, architecture and folklore, Delhi, Agra, Fatehpur Sikri is a unique and arresting portrait of three cities and six epochal monuments that have lived through some of the most pivotal moments in Indian history.
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ABOUT THE SERIES
Combining powerful storytelling with deep, recent scholarship, the Magnificent Heritage series uses multidisciplinary approaches to showcase a fresh perspective on heritage sites and storied cities, locating them in their larger geographical, sociocultural and historical contexts.
Review
‘The book fuses together heritage conservation and history in a very impressive manner ... It will enrich the understanding of those interested in history not only about these buildings but also more widely about historical monuments and their preservation’ – Rudrangshu Mukherjee, Chancellor and Professor of History at Ashoka University
‘The first real attempt to bring historical sites and buildings of the past within the reach of the masses ... Interestingly, all the “facts” are laid before you without taking a particular position when dealing with controversies surrounding the sites and their afterlife. A must read for all’ – Syed Ali Nadeem Rezavi, Professor of History at Aligarh Muslim University and author of Fathpur Sikri Revisited
‘Monuments are a window into our heritage and past. Given the increasing interest in history and reliance on non-academic sources, it is imperative to locate the monuments in their larger historical contexts. This is where Shashank Shekhar Sinha scores, and authoritatively … His multilayered, multidimensional history of three imperial cities and six World Heritage sites offers an excellent academic–public interface for the study of monuments, the cities in which they are located, and their extended geocultural connections’ – Rana Safvi, author of City of My Heart and The Forgotten Cities of Delhi
‘A book to be read several times, in different ways – a guide to six UNESCO World Heritage sites, a work on the history of Sultanate and Mughal architecture and urbanism, and a survey of the important scholarly debates in history and conservation, rendered in an easy-to-read form’ – Swapna Liddle, author of Connaught Place and the Making of New Delhi
About the Author
Shashank Shekhar Sinha is an independent researcher and, currently, Publishing Director at Routledge (South Asia), Taylor & Francis Group. He has previously taught history at undergraduate colleges in the University of Delhi for almost a decade. A public historian and the author of Restless Mothers and Turbulent Daughters: Situating Tribes in Gender Studies, his writings are recommended readings at various universities and institutions. He has been part of key academic committees of the Indian Council of Social Science Research (ICSSR) and the Indian Council for Historical Research (ICHR).
He publishes regularly in academic journals and books as well as popular media outlets. His articles on the UNESCO World Heritage Sites in Frontline magazine have been received well and he also features on programmes related to history and heritage on television channels like Rajya Sabha TV, News18 and NDTV 24X7, among others.
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