Westland Books announces the release of Anisha Shekhar Mukherji’s The Red Fort of Shahjahanabad – An Architectural History documenting the architectural stories of the magnificent structure
Westland Books announces the release of their new book, The Red Fort of Shahjahanabad – An Architectural History – written by architect Anisha Shekhar Mukherji. Releasing after 20 years of its initial publishing, The Red Fort of Shahjahanabad draws on court chronicles, travelogues, archival photographs, maps and a lot more to capture the interest of the reader.
The Red Fort of Shahjahanabad is an interesting and detailed take on the Red Fort and the erstwhile city of Shahjahanabad, which was commissioned by Mughal Emperor Shah Jahan in the seventeenth century. Throughout the book, the author traces the original design of the Fort along with unveiling the layers of evolution of its buildings. She offers suggestions for the future well-being of the Fort and similar historical sites, where built and open spaces are inseparably integrated.
The stunning structure has been subjected to the relentless passing of time as well as sweeping transformations brought about by violence. Today, the Red Fort holds an iconic place in the history of the Indian subcontinent as a reminder of its past.
Speaking at the launch of her book, architect and author Anisha Shekhar Mukherji said, “There has been a consistent demand for the book ever since the first edition went out of print. And I find that despite more information now available on the Red Fort, there is still insufficient understanding about its unique original design, or why so few of the Mughal structures remain on site. Hence the decision to bring out a new updated edition which, while retaining the detail of the first edition, is in a more accessible format and size. An interested reader can actually carry the book to the Fort and appreciate how it was designed and used!”
About the Book
A BOOK THAT EXPLORES THE FASCINATING ARCHITECTURAL SECRETS HELD WITHIN THE WALLS OF THE RED FORT.
The Red Fort and the city of Shahjahanabad, commissioned by Emperor Shah Jahan in the seventeenth century, have been subjected to the inexorable march of time as well as radical transformations enforced by violent change. Yet, the Red Fort continues to hold a seminal place in the history of the Indian subcontinent. Contained within the walls of the Fort are secrets of a unique system of sophisticated architecture along with the many stories of the various occupants and the lives they had led.
Published two decades after the first edition—the most authoritative piece of research and analysis of the Fort—this second edition of The Red Fort of Shahjahanabad fulfils a long-standing demand for the book to be republished. With the aid of archival photographs, maps, architectural drawings, court chronicles, travelogues and other historical material, this architectural biography offers a rich and engaging narrative of the iconic Fort. Tracing and uncovering the original design and the layers of evolution of its buildings, the author, an architect with a specialisation in conservation, also offers valuable suggestions for the future well-being of the Red Fort and other historical sites where built and open spaces are inseparably integrated. This updated edition is an essential addition to the library of informed travellers as well as conservation professionals, historians and scholars of architecture and art—and anyone who has an interest in our past.
About the Author