Vijayanagara by George Michell

📦 Product Details

• Author: George Michell
• Publisher: Mapin Publishing
• Publication Date: 1 January 2008
• Edition: First Edition
• Language: English
• Print Length: 252 pages
• ISBN-10: 8189995030
• ISBN-13: 978-8189995034
• Item Weight: 2000 g

📖 About the Book

Vijayanagara by George Michell explores the history, architecture, art, and cultural heritage of the Vijayanagara Empire, one of the most significant kingdoms of medieval South India.

The book examines the remarkable remains of Vijayanagara and Hampi, including temples, palaces, monuments, sculptures, gateways, bazaars, and other architectural features. It places these monuments within their historical and cultural context, offering insights into the artistic achievements and urban character of the empire.

Rich in historical and architectural detail, this book is valuable for readers interested in Indian history, South Indian architecture, archaeology, art history, and the heritage of Hampi.

The remarkably accomplished Alexander Greenlaw, probably the first photographer to reach Vijayanagara in South India in 1855, is known principally through his monumental paper negatives of this great imperial Hindu city. Greenlaw, an army officer, explored the vast site, capturing the temples, shrines, palaces and pleasure pavilions with his camera, as well as recording the dramatic landscape that surrounds the ruins of this once majestic capital. While Greenlaw’s response to the architecture within its spectacular natural setting is the principal focus of this book, the work of subsequent photographers at the site is also explored. Presenting the work of William Pigou, Edmond David Lyon, Nicholas & Co. and others, the role of photography in documenting and preserving the site is examined through a comparative approach that seeks to present a comprehensive overview of commercial, archaeological and other documentary activities at Vijayanagara in the 19th century. The book will highlight the extraordinary achievement of this small group of talented individuals, through a stimulating combination of text and images, which together offer a fresh vision of this inspiring city. Preface by John Gollings, Contributions by Sophie Gordon, George Michell, Anila Verghese and Mike Ware.

✍️ About the Author

George Michell is an architectural historian and scholar known for his extensive research and publications on the architecture and art of the Indian subcontinent. His work has particularly focused on the temples, monuments, and architectural traditions of South India.

George Michell trained as an architect and as an archaeologist. Between 1980 and 2001 he co-directed an international team of researchers at the Vijayanagara site. Sophie Gordon is Curator, The Royal Photograph Collection, Windsor. Anila Verghese, Principal of Sophia College, Mumbai, is a historian specializing in the history of the Vijayanagara site and period. Mike Ware, Honorary Fellow in Chemistry, University of Manchester, studies the history, science, art and conservation of early photography.