This book is a pioneering work on an area which has received scant attention in the past. Studies on the period of Haider Ali and Tipu Sultan – the ‘Mysore Sultans’ inevitably focus on the dominant narrative of political history of the time and its attendant romantic anecdotes. Consequently, the study of art and architecture of the period has so far remained in the shadows. This book is a detailed aesthetic study of the art and architecture of the palaces, forts, mosques, mausoleum at Srirangapatna, Bangalore and the neighbourhood. Further, this book closely examines the exquisite murals in the summer palace at Srirangaptna. It also incorporates the scientific investigation of the pigment composition of the paintings. Finally, the appendix has a survey of the coins of the Mysore Sultans from the National Museum collection. This book is based on extensive fieldwork and photo-documentation and an indepth study of contemporary Indian, Persian and English literary sources, paintings, illustrated imperial manuscripts and inscriptions. It is replete with over three hundred spectacular photographs, contemporary maps, topographic surveys and line drawings, highlighting all nuances of the subject. The attempt is to examine the art and architecture of the Mysore Sultans from every possible point of view and the book will surely be of immense value to scholars, students and art-lovers.
Contents: Message vii Foreword ix Preface xi Acknowledgement xvi Chapter 1. Historical Background 1 Chapter 2. Architectural Heritage of Bangalore and its Neighbourhood 33 Chapter 3. Architectural Heritage of Srirangapatna 73 Chapter 4. Murals of the Darya Daulat Palace in Srirangapatna 183 Chapter 5. Scientific Investigation into the Materials and Techniques of the Wall Paintings at the Darya Daulat Palace, Srirangapatna and the Palace at Bangalore 279 Appendix: Coins and Currency System of Haider Ali and Tipu Sultan 289 Credits 300 Bibliography 303 Index 307
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