Relive Architecture in Used Books from India

India being a large country with a band of regional colors and dynasties spread over a period of time is home to varied architectural spectacle and sculptures. Presently this makes India as one of the hot tourist destinations worldwide. Most ancient Indian architectural layout has used principles of Vaastushastra with a view to strike a natural relationship with nature.

Architecture as science and an art work is not a new subject. All ancient civilizations are known through their architectural achievements and distinctive marvels in planning of cities and monuments. Mohenjo-daro is synonym of the Indian Indus Valley civilization as Pyramid is for Egyptian. Ancient India is distinctive by rock-cut architecture and grand temple buildings with distinct shikhars and gopurams; Buddhist by the pagoda. Medieval Mughal India is characterized by the domes, arches and the vaults imported from Central Asia. The Muslim influence in India saw the emergence of mosque as an integral part of the landscape. Another important feature of the Islamic architecture was the presence of a mausoleum popularly called the dome set in gardens called char-bagh. Below the tomb chamber is the cenotaph with an underlying grave. Clear examples of this are the Taj Mahal at Agra and Gol Gumbaz in Bijapur. All books sold on architecture whether in India or overseas cater to ancient layouts besides the new functional ones to suit contemporary needs.

Used books on Rajput architecture indicate it being a fine blend of Hindu architecture with rich Persian and Islamic influence. They are explicit through palaces, forts, lakes and other monumental works spread through out Jaipur, Jodhpur and Jaisalmer. Architectural designs are scientific works executed with taste of art and symbols of political and cultural identity.

Architecture in context of any country be it India or else where speaks the language of the period to which it belongs. It reflects the legacy of the ruling dynasty of that region over periods of time. Architecture is the planning and designing of concrete buildings, structures concurrently enhancing natural landscape in its vicinity. Architecture in its wide ambit covers urban design, town planning and landscape architecture at the macro level. At the micro level this design wonder means getting into the minor details of construction and other set-up such as furniture etc.

There are used books covering every era of architectural styles of Jain architecture. The later are magnified to their architectural epitome in Ananthaswami temple at Puliyarmala near Kepetta and a few Solanki style temples in Gujarat besides the famous Dilwara temples in Mount Abu, India. The Gandhara School takes up from the Indo-Greek influence spread across the Kabul Valley and Pakistan part of Punjab. The architecture in South India reached its zenith from fourteenth century to seventeenth century so much so that many of its exemplary grandeurs such as the monuments around Hampi, Hoysala are presently listed as UNESCO World Heritage sites.

Post independent India saw the emergence of more secular architecture with splendid buildings and broad tree lined roads. Edward Lueitens’ elegant Delhi and Le Corbusier’s exemplary Chandigarh in India have used planning on more secular lines.

Students of architecture can now buy used as well as new books covering every aspect of architecture syllabus from any bookseller/bookstore spread all across India. With the advent of digitalization and online facilities, the booksellers/bookstores have also gone online. Besides helping buy used and new books they have joined hands with the local booksellers/bookstores all over India. This helps enable these local booksellers/bookstores to display the wide catalog of books catering every subject.