Book: Architectural Heritage of Gujarat: Interpretation, Appreciation, Values, by Miki Desai and Madhavi Desai

Authored by Miki Desai and Madhavi Desai, Architectural Heritage of Gujarat: Interpretation, Appreciation, Values, encompasses a broad spectrum of culture and history found in Gujarat, in the midst of the 21st century.
Book: Architectural Heritage of Gujarat: Interpretation, Appreciation, Values, by Miki Desai and Madhavi Desai 1

With an opening that takes one to the core of the villages, travelling through the scatters of the nomadic communities who are still found in these plains, to the richly crafted traditional Hindu architecture, from the grand marvels of the Islamic era to the disciplined, British influenced colonial buildings, the book takes you on a journey through the heritage of Gujarat. It encompasses a broad spectrum of culture and history found here, in the midst of the 21st century. The book addresses political and philanthropic intervention as one of the strong basis in the making of society and architecture. It also provides a narrative, weaving other religious aspects and cultural trends found in Gujarat.

The authors explore with a keen eye the architectural heritage of the State. The book is a product of the author’s past experience in documentation, research and academic writing on Indian architecture. It is neither defining heritage nor enumerating it, rather it is describing and therefore encouraging appreciation of it. This is done with the purpose that the common man understands his/her own heritage. Thus the book is written to address a larger range of readers. A number of photographic and drawing illustrations have been used to enthuse the reader in this direction. It is noteworthy that the major bulk of illustrations is by Miki Desai and the author’s documentation office. Perhaps a book of this nature by a Governmental department is happening for the first time in the Indian context.


Book Facts:

Title – Architectural Heritage of Gujarat: Interpretation, Appreciation, Values
Name of author(s) – Miki Desai and Madhavi Desai
Name of publisher-Commissionerate of Information, Gandhinagar (2011)     
Number of pages– 208
Binding type – Hardcover
Availability – Out of print


Image and Text provided by Miki Desai and Madhavi Desai

2 Responses

Share your comments

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

Recent

Diwan-i-Khas at Fatehpur Sikri. Image by Manfred Sommer

“If the received wisdom of this Western historiography is Eurocentric and subjective, how do we trace the evolution of architectural consciousness in India?”—Jaimini Mehta

The essay is the second of a three-part series of preview essays for Jaimini Mehta’s forthcoming book, Sense of Itihasa; Architecture and History in Modern India. He explores how colonial perspectives distorted Indian architectural history, arguing that indigenous architectural theories existed beyond Eurocentric interpretations, with the mandala symbolizing a deeper conceptual understanding of cosmic and spatial design.

Read More »
Jaimini Mehta - Architecture and History

“Unless you ask these questions, you will not realise that it is not history but the perception of history that needs to be revisited.”—Jaimini Mehta

The essay is the first of a three-part series of preview essays for Jaimini Mehta’s forthcoming book, Sense of Itihasa; Architecture and History in Modern India.
The book analyses the works of several contemporary, post-independence Indian architects to demonstrate that since independence, they have revitalized traditional architectural elements and techniques, drawing inspiration from India’s itihasa.

Read More »
Social Media and Architecture. @ArchitectureLive! (Image is AI generated)

“Social media has pulled back the curtain, democratizing the discourse and, more importantly, the architect’s image.” —Athulya Aby

Athulya Aby writes about how social media has transformed architecture, making it accessible to the masses. While it offers opportunities for inclusivity and innovation, it also poses risks of superficiality and prioritizing aesthetics over function. The future lies in balancing online presence with real-world impact, according to Athulya.

Read More »
House near Manchar, Sahyadri, Maharashtra, by Shoonya Collaborative. Photo Courtesy of Shoonya Collaborative

House near Manchar, Maharashtra, by Shoonya Collaborative

The adobe house near Manchar, Maharashtra, designed by Shoonya Collaborative, perched on a Sahyadri plateau, offers views of agricultural fields and a winding river. Inspired by local vernacular architecture and the client’s memories, the design incorporates repurposed materials and traditional techniques.

Read More »

Featured Publications

We Are Hiring