The Ajanta Caves, by Benoy K. Behl (Thames and Hudson, 1998,
published in New York by Harry N. Abrams, Incorporated). An excellent
large-format presentation of the Ajanta site, concentrating on the
major painted caves (1, 2, 16, and 17). Color photography is used
throughout. An informative text narrates the Jataka stories
of the Buddha's prior incarnations, which are illustrated by the
paintings in the cave.
Architecture and Art of Southern India: Vijayanagara and the successor states, by George Michell
(The New Cambridge History of India, I:6, Cambridge University
Press, 1995). A pioneering art and architectural survey of the
Vijayanagara and Nayaka periods in Southern India, concentrating on
the sixteenth and seventeenth centuries with some earlier and later
The Art of Ancient India, by Susan Huntington (Weatherhill, 1985, third printing 1999). A scholarly, yet very readable, reference.
Highly recommended for those with more than a passing interest in
The Art and Architecture of India: Buddhist-Hindu-Jain, by Benjamin Rowland (The Pelican History of Art, Penguin Books, 1974).
First published 1953. The 1974 paperback is based on the third revised ed. of 1967. Particularly good on Indian art before 1000 AD, which occupies the entire first half of the book.
The Art and Architecture of the Indian Subcontinent, by J. C. Harle (The Pelican History of Art, Penguin Books, 1986, reprinted 1990).
A useful, if rather dry and technical, reference.
The Art of Indian Asia, by Heinrich Zimmer, ed. Joseph
Campbell (Pantheon Books, 1955). Volume I text, Volume II black and
white photographic plates. Long out of print, but worth having if
you can find it. The book is a detailed exploration of myth and
symbol in Indian art. (Islamic art and architecture is not included, and southeast Asia is touched upon comparatively lightly.)
The text volume includes chapters on Mesopotamian patterns
in Indian art, Indian ideals of beauty, The symbolism of the lotus,
Indian architecture, and sculpture. In Volume II, over 600 large-format
black and white photographs, fully cross-referenced to the text in Volume I, provide a valuable record of India's artistic heritage.
The Blue Guide to Southern India by George Michell
(1997). A comprehensive guide book to Southern India which is
informed by Michell's encyclopaedic knowledge of the region. The guide includes a basic level of information about
transportation and accommodations.
The Book of Hindu Imagery, by Eva Rudy Jansen (Binkey Kok Publications BV, Havelte, Holland, 1993, fifth printing 1999).
One of the few
readily available works on Hindu iconography in English,
it was on the shelves of Borders Books in 2001. The American distributor is Samuel Weiser, Inc., 1-800-423-7087.
The book, while usable, is neither scholarly nor thorough.
Elephanta, by George Michell, photography by Bharath Ramamrutham (The India Series, India Book House Pvt Ltd, 2002). This small-format (5 1/2 by 8 inches), 143-page paperback is an excellent
the Elephanta cave-temple of Shiva. The book displays every distinction
that one has come to rely upon from its author:
a superbly well-organized presentation, authoritative yet accessible and engaging text, and marvellous photographs which have been expertly reproduced by the publisher.
Hampi, by John M. Fritz and George Michell (The India
Series, India Book House Pvt Ltd, 2003). A compact guide to Hampi (the
site of medieval Vijayanagara), from the directors of the Vijayanagara
Research Project. A welcome carry-along when visiting the site,
although the casual visitor is likely to want more explanation,
and the serious student more detail, than it was possible to fit
into the book's allotted length.
Hindu Art, by T. Richard Blurton (Harvard University Press, 1993). A convenient introduction to the subject, from a curator at the British Museum. It is organized by topic (Shiva, Vishnu, etc.), rather
than by period and chronology.
Hindu Art and Architecture by George Michell (Thames And Hudson, World of Art, 2000). An engaging survey, enhanced by Thames' and Hudson's fine printing of its very good photographs.
Michell is a master of the illuminating phrase; his clear, insightful prose is a delight to read.
The Hindu Temple, by George Michell (University of Chicago Press, 1988). This book is referenced by most other books on the subject. As usual, Michell wears
his expertise lightly, and imparts it effortlessly to the reader. The first part of the book discusses the symbolism and meaning
of the temples, and the second part examines their regional and
Hinduism and the Religious Arts, by Heather Elgood (Cassell, NY, 2000). Elgood combines art history with a social and anthropological perspective, exploring the relationship between
Hindu art and religion. I found much in this book that is
highly pertinent, and that is not covered in more traditional
The book is organized by topic, with chapters devoted
to imagery, the gods, sacred architecture, patronage, and
The Hindus: An Alternative History, by Wendy Doniger (The Penguin Press, NY 2009). An astute and balanced cultural history.
India: A Concise History, by Francis Watson (Thames and Hudson, 1979). Reprinted 1996. This is a readable introduction to the
general history of India, with enough examples of art and architecture
to please an art-minded student.
India: The Rough Guide (third ed., October 1999). A full-service guidebook, comprehensive and generally accurate, which includes a good amount of cultural information.
Khajuraho, by Devangana Desai (Oxford University Press, 2000). Desai is a well-known expert on Khajuraho. This 100-page book is an introduction to the site, not a complete guide. The photographs are few, and poorly reproduced. Within these limitations, it is still
worth having for the general reader.
Konark, by Thomas Donaldson (Oxford University Press,
2003). This short book in the Monumental Legacy series provides
quite a bit of information about the history and iconography of
The Moonlight Garden, ed. Elizabeth B. Moynihan with
additional contributions by David L. Lentz, James L. Wescoat Jr.,
John M. Fritz, and George Michell. (Arthur M. Sackler Gallery, Smithsonian Institution, Washington DC, and the University of
Washington Press, Seattle and London, 2000). Subtitled "New
Discoveries at the Taj Mahal," this fine if all-too-brief book (100 pages, large-format) places the Taj in its original context of gardens and
waterworks, with references to recent excavations in the
"Moonlight Garden" across the river. The book is suitable both
as a modern introduction to the Taj, and as an update for those who
may be familiar with some of the older literature.
The Penguin Guide to the Monuments of India. Volume I: Buddhist, Jain, Hindu by George Michell (Penguin Books, 1990). A now out-of-print guide to most of the significant non-Islamic sites in India. (A second volume, by Philip Davies, covers the Islamic monuments.)
It will repay the reader's effort to obtain a used copy, as the site descriptions and diagrams are very useful.
Many sites in the book are not discussed at all, or barely mentioned,
in other guides.
The book is a gazetteer, not a
full-service guidebook; it does not contain information about
hotels, restaurants, and so on.
The Qutb Shahi Tombs by J. Kedareswari (Hyderabad, 2003). An inexpensive pamphlet (30 pages), available on-site. Informative and recommended.
The Ramayana, retold by William Buck (University of
California Press, 1976). Buck's aim was, in his own words, "to extract the story, and then to tell that story in an interesting way that would preserve the spirit and flavor of the original."
His aim was more than achieved in this beautifully written work,
although in one or two places (notably Sita's trial) he has
made Rama into a much kinder husband than the original.
The Royal Palaces of India, by George Michell, photographs by Antonio Martinelli (Thames and Hudson, 1994, first paperback ed. 1998). This large-format book from George Michell, under the Thames and Hudson imprint, is enhanced by Martinelli's beautiful photographs.
Michell writes with his customary felicity, and the whole production is
first-class from start to finish, with one exception: the binding on my paperbound copy did not prove durable, so it might be worthwhile to look for a hardcover instead.
The book discusses only palaces and palace-forts;
the Taj Mahal, mosques, and other Islamic monuments will have to
await a future book (one hopes) by this team.
The Sensuous and the Sacred: Chola Bronzes from South India, by Vidya Dehejia et al. (American Federation of Arts, in association with the University of Washington Press, 2002). This is the catalogue of a museum exhibition that toured Washington DC, Dallas, and Cleveland in 2002-2003. It interprets the sculptures in their devotional context, with extensive quotations from Tamil poetry. Substantial information on iconography is also provided. While the exhibit consists only of objects from European and American collections, the catalogue's unique approach should give it wide appeal.
Where Kings and Gods Meet: The Royal Centre at Vijayanagara, India by John M. Fritz, George Michell, and M. S. Nagaraja Rao
(The University of Arizona Press, Tucson, Arizona, 1984). This report documents nearly every exposed feature
of the Royal Center of Vijayanagara (the Sacred Center is
not included) that was visible as of 1984. A specialist resource, the book may also interest the general reader since it includes a lot of interpretative information.