History of Architecture and Ancient Building Materials in India (Part I and II in Single Volume)

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History of Architecture and Ancient Building Materials in India" consists of two parts. The first part deals with the architecture of India and the second part is about the ancient building materials. The aim of the book is not to go into detail about the architectural history of India but to give an impression and awareness about the architectural skills existed in the ancient period and how it differed during the different rulers who invaded India. The second part deals with the building materials used in the ancient period, which is a unique contribution. It provides the information about the materials specifically the natural polymers, used in the ancient period, and the technique of their application. Most interesting part is the scientific explanations and the narration’s about the mechanisms involved in the interactions of the ingredients used in the construction, which enhanced the durability properties of the structure. The materials ascribed are not only from India, some plasters and mortar compositions used in the other part of the world are also described. It is a very valuable and comprehensive piece of work and will be a guide book for the practicing engineers, restorers, conservator’s, archaeologists, historians and also for the people in general interested in the building materials. The prime objective of this remarkable book is about the chemistry and analysis of the materials used in our ancient monuments, today standing as a symbol of our cultural heritage, after thousands of years. A need was felt to have an in depth study of chemistry of the ancient building materials used in the construction of these ancient monuments in their relation, as to the chemistry of cement and its binding properties and durability of structures.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR Satish Chandra

Satish Chandra (b. 1922) is among a select band of historians who helped to give a new shape to Indian history after independence. He was Professor of History, Jawaharlal Nehru University and Vice Chairman and Chairman, University Grants Commission (1972-81). He taught at the Universities of Allahabad, Aligarh Muslim, Delhi and Rajasthan. He was Smuts' Visiting Professor, Cambridge University (1971) and Associated with many national and international agencies. He was secretary and later President, Indian History Congress (1973), Council Member, United Nations University, Tokyo (1980-86), Associate Director of Research, Maison des Sciences de I'Homme, Paris; Member, Executive Board, International Congress of Historical Sciences, Paris, etc. He was also Chairman of the Committee to review Civil Services Examination in Delhi. He had written and edited many books on Medieval Indian History, and the Indian Ocean History and published a large number of research articles in national and international journals. Some of these have been brought together and published in three monographs. Presently, he is Executive Chairman, Maulana Azad Institute of Asian Studies, Calcutta and Secretary-cum-Treasurer, Society for Indian Ocean Studies. He is also the Secretary of the twelve volumes comprising History of India scheme prepared by the Indian History Congress.