History of Indian and Eastern Architecture Set of 2 Volumes

This is a pioneering work, originally published in the late 19th century, offering a comprehensive exploration of architectural developments across India and parts of Southeast Asia. Fergusson, a Scottish architectural historian, sought to document and analyze the styles, construction methods, and cultural influences that shaped the region’s architecture over centuries. His work remains influential as one of the earliest systematic studies on Asian architecture in English. The book divides into two main sections: Indian architecture and Eastern (primarily Southeast Asian) architecture. In the Indian section, Fergusson examines architecture spanning from ancient Buddhist stupas and rock-cut caves to the intricately designed temples of southern India, as well as the Mughal contributions in the north. He discusses the architectural significance of renowned sites like the Ajanta and Ellora caves, the temples of Khajuraho, and iconic Mughal structures such as the TajMahal and FatehpurSikri. In the Eastern section, Fergusson extends his analysis to the architectural practices in Burma, Java, Cambodia, and Siam (modern-day Thailand). He explores the Hindu-Buddhist influences seen in the magnificent structures of Angkor Wat in Cambodia and Borobudur in Indonesia, showing how Indian architectural principles adapted to local cultural contexts and environmental conditions.