Islamic Architecture of the Indian Subcontinent

Book excerpt: Beginning in the thirteenth century and continuing for more than five hundred years, the architecture of India's subcontinent bore the vibrant and ornate characteristics of the Islamic peoples who thrived there. This is the first book to cover the entire history of this architectural era, encompassing all of the subcontinent including Pakistan and Bangladesh as well as a variety of provincial styles that co-existed in various regions of India. Included in this colorful, lavishly illustrated volume are numerous rare photographs of the most notable sites and buildings, all taken by Federico Borromeo during his many years of traveling throughout this area. The clear and authoritative text, by a renowned Islamic scholar, offers a detailed historical background of this period as it explains the evolution of its architecture and clarifies the many and varied regional styles. A valuable book for any student of architecture, this volume will delight anyone with a curiosity about India or Islamic history and art.