Author: Scriver Peter and Srivastava Amit
Place: London
Publisher: Reaktion Books Ltd
Year: 2015
Pages: 384
ISBN: 978-1-78023-437-3
Subject: Architecture
Sub-Subject: Architecture History
Keyword: Modern Architecture, Colonial Era, Modernism, Architectural History
Shelf: C9R5
Accession No: B1643
Contents: Introduction, Rationalization: The Call to Order, 1855-1900, Complicity and Contradiction in the Colonial Twilight, 1901-1947, Nation Building: Architecture in the Service of the Postcolonial State, 1947-1960s, Regionalism, Institution Building and the Modern Indian Elite, 1950s-1970s, Development and Dissent: The Critical Turn, 1960s-1980s, Identity and Difference: The Cultural Turn, 1980s-1990s, Towards the Non-modern: Architecture and Global India since 1990, References, Select Bibliography, Acknowledgements, Photo Acknowledgements, Index
Abstract: In their book, *India: Modern Architectures in History*, Peter Scriver and Amit Srivastava explore the rich and complex evolution of modern architecture in India. Far from beginning with India’s independence in 1947, the authors trace its roots back to the nineteenth century, during the colonial era. They argue that modernism in Indian architecture emerged through the colonial public works system and was shaped by both imperial patronage and local responses. These developments marked a departure from traditional building methods and reflected broader shifts in society and culture. Scriver and Srivastava examine how architecture in India has mirrored the country’s dramatic transformation over the past century, showcasing a landscape of striking contrasts—from ancient structures to cutting-edge modernist designs. The book highlights the contributions of renowned architects like Le Corbusier and Louis Kahn, as well as lesser-known practitioners, placing India at the heart of global architectural discourse during the mid-twentieth century. Using diverse sources, including personal archives, photographs, and government records, the authors present a comprehensive and nuanced history of modern architecture in India. Their work offers valuable insights into how architecture has both influenced and responded to India’s evolving identity, making it a key reference for understanding the country’s architectural modernity.