Download the free Kindle app and start reading Kindle books instantly on your smartphone, tablet, or computer - no Kindle device required.
Read instantly on your browser with Kindle for Web.
Using your mobile phone camera - scan the code below and download the Kindle app.
The Complete Taj Mahal Hardcover – November 1, 2006
There is a newer edition of this item:
$331.64
(56)
Usually ships within 4 to 5 weeks
The Taj Mahal is the epitome of Mughal art and one of the most famous buildings in the world. Yet there have been few serious studies of it and no full analysis of its architecture and meaning.Ebba Koch is the only scholar who has been permitted to take measurements of the complex. She has been working on the palaces and gardens of Shah Jahan for thirty years and on the Taj Mahal itselfthe tomb of the emperor's wife, Mumtaz Mahalfor a decade.
The tomb represents the house of the queen in Paradise, and the author shows how its setting was based on the palace gardens of the great nobles that lined both sides of the river at Agra. She leads the reader through the entire complex of the Taj Mahal, with an explanation of each building and an account of the mausoleum's urban setting, its design and construction, its symbolic meaning, and its history up to the present day.
The book features hundreds of new photographs plus drawings by the Indian architect Richard Barraud that include plans and reconstructions of Agra and the Taj complex as they looked in Shah Jahan's time.
- Print length288 pages
- LanguageEnglish
- PublisherThames & Hudson
- Publication dateNovember 1, 2006
- Dimensions8.98 x 1.1 x 11.22 inches
- ISBN-100500342091
- ISBN-13978-0500342091
Book recommendations, author interviews, editors' picks, and more. Read it now.
Customers who viewed this item also viewed
Editorial Reviews
From Booklist
Copyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved
About the Author
Product details
- Publisher : Thames & Hudson (November 1, 2006)
- Language : English
- Hardcover : 288 pages
- ISBN-10 : 0500342091
- ISBN-13 : 978-0500342091
- Item Weight : 4.05 pounds
- Dimensions : 8.98 x 1.1 x 11.22 inches
- Best Sellers Rank: #1,160,129 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
- #929 in India History
- #1,580 in Architectural History
- #2,062 in Archaeology (Books)
- Customer Reviews:
About the author
Discover more of the author’s books, see similar authors, read book recommendations and more.
Customer reviews
Customer Reviews, including Product Star Ratings help customers to learn more about the product and decide whether it is the right product for them.
To calculate the overall star rating and percentage breakdown by star, we don’t use a simple average. Instead, our system considers things like how recent a review is and if the reviewer bought the item on Amazon. It also analyzed reviews to verify trustworthiness.
Learn more how customers reviews work on AmazonCustomers say
Customers praise the book for its refreshing content, lovely pictures, and detailed drawings of art and history. They find the articles informative and the layouts wonderful. The book provides a comprehensive overview of the rulers of India, art, and architecture through beautifully written and illustrated content.
AI-generated from the text of customer reviews
Customers appreciate the book's content quality. They find it informative and say it's one of the best books on Tajmahal for architecture students and architects. The book includes refreshing articles, lovely pictures, and wonderful layouts.
"...Great photography!!! Great book !!!......" Read more
"...What a glorious place Agra must have been, nothing like the mess it is today...." Read more
"...Very pleased with the content...." Read more
"...Refreshing articles, lovely pictures and wonderful layouts." Read more
Customers appreciate the detailed drawings, colorful Mughal paintings, and wonderful layouts in the book. They also like the photography of sites, structures, and their way of looking at objects. The book gives readers a close look at one of the great man-made wonders of the world.
"...must-have are the many photographs of sites, structures and architectural ornamentation--photographs "The Hindu" declared "often brilliant" as well..." Read more
"...Their art of photography, way of looking at objects, selection of background, angles, lighting, timing, shades and details are gifted by the god...." Read more
"...Comprehensive history of the rulers of India, art and architecture, and very complete drawings and photos of the "Taj" itself, not to..." Read more
"...You will get to enjoy one of the great man-made wonders of the world up close. Refreshing articles, lovely pictures and wonderful layouts." Read more
Customers appreciate the book's history. They find the illustrations and background information beautiful. The book provides a comprehensive history of rulers, art, architecture, and complete drawings.
"...of background, angles, lighting, timing, shades and details are gifted by the god...." Read more
"...Very pleased with the content. Comprehensive history of the rulers of India, art and architecture, and very complete drawings and photos of the &#..." Read more
"...quickly and then going over the beautifully written and illustrated contents of the history and background of creation of one of the most remarkable..." Read more
Top reviews from the United States
There was a problem filtering reviews right now. Please try again later.
- Reviewed in the United States on April 14, 2007Having read a number of books about the Taj Mahal, including the recently published one by the Prestons, I would bet good money that if given a copy of Ebba Koch's book to preview, those truly interested in India's national treasure will buy THE COMPLETE TAJ MAHAL, even if they have to skip lattes or lunches to afford it, even if they have already done so to afford Okada/Joshi/Nou's Taj Mahal with its stunning photography.
One reason, of course, is that TCTM is so complete. To others' overviews of the material covered, I would add only that Koch does not neglect the human element. For example, in eight introductory pages of text, she provides excellent background information about Shah Jahan, his wife and his predecessors; later, she details Jahan's passion for building. Koch also includes interesting information about the artisans, craftsmen and laborers who did the actual work as well as details about others associated with the Taj-related structures/gardens of Agra. Further humanizing the story of this garden city are colorful Mughal paintings of its nobility and rulers.
Another aspect of TCTM that makes it a must-have are the many photographs of sites, structures and architectural ornamentation--photographs "The Hindu" declared "often brilliant" as well as "judiciously chosen." Just how apt these descriptions are is suggested by the following: There were only seven pages of O/J/Nou's photographic extravaganza of the Taj complex that I photocopied to tuck into Koch's book, and of them, five were additional close-ups of floral inlays and calligraphy. Adding to the appeal of TCTM is that the camera goes beyond the splendors of the Taj complex. Of special interest to those who have been in Agra, for instance, will be the realistic photographs of the Taj Mahal peeking above the "agglomeration of haphazard constructions" that have "almost obliterated" its bazaar and caravanserai. Shown, too, are its architectural precedents as well as artisan workshops and quarries. Though most of the photographs in this book are in color, even those in black and white are revealing.
Also making TCTM next to impossible to resist are the "company drawings," most of which are in color as well. Forerunners of postcards, they were "made by local artists in the early days of the Raj" for European tourists, who bought them "to illustrate their journals." Works of art in themselves, often the drawings are so detailed that they could easily be photographs. But they do not serve as mere eye candy: many are of Taj-related structures that no longer exist or have been stripped of all that made them magnificent; some are juxtaposed with recent photographs to show the toll time has taken on the brilliance of color and intricacy of design. Evocative paintings and watercolors of the Taj Mahal by foreign artists are included as well.
What may ultimately sell people on TCTM, however, is that it is a book they will actually enjoy reading much if not all of. Not only is Koch's narrative writing fluid and easy-to-digest. Even her descriptions of architecture will be relatively easy for laymen to understand, provided that they are willling to refer to the glossary of terms and look at the many visual aids, including Barraud's "precise and clear" line drawings that accompany the text. So well done is this book, in fact, that as "The Hindu" noted, even "information which is more technical and not at face value so interesting to general readers will, in fact, be found by them to be equally absorbing." (All I would personally exclude from this are the two pages of precise measurements of the Taj complex.)
To another reviewer's assertion that TCTM is a book that "should be in the library of anyone fascinated by the Taj Mahal, not just historians and architects," I add a thousand "Amen's." --B. Evans, 4/14/07
- Reviewed in the United States on April 1, 2014I am an Architect and visited TajMahal 2 times before 35 years as a student. At that time I had taken 36 pictures from Kodak film.
Today, when I compare my photography with Jean Louis Nou , Ebba Koch and Raghu Rai's master class photography, I feel ashamed my self for my inexperienced approach of photography. Now, after buying and viewing photography of Jean Louis Nou , Ebba Koch and Raghu Rai in their books on "TAJMAHAL", I have realized that what is meaning of photography. Their art of photography, way of looking at objects, selection of background, angles, lighting, timing, shades and details are gifted by the god. Tajmahal in isolation and Tajmahal in context of seasons, surrounding, flora and fauna, human beings and other buildings is presented effectively by photographers in very large color photos in each page. Great photography!!! Great book !!!...
Nou's 230 pagebook is my first choice while I like this 288 page ($30 book on Amazon) "THE COMPLETE TAJ MAHAL" by Ebba Koch which is equally good for exterior photographs. Compared to Nou's book, this Koch's book has less coverage for interior but that covers more photos for gates and 2 adjoining structures of the complex. Each page has 1 large Photos. 90% pages have large full size photos Amina Okada Joshi's book and Ebba Koch's book are complementary to each other and individual book is incomplete without companionship of other book
I would also recommend other extra ordinary ($ 27 on Amazon) book- "TAJ MAHAL" by Nou Okada & Joshi with stunning, sharp, crisp, detailed full size 180 color photos of interior and exterior taken by 'Nou' from almost every angle highlighting most of the features of Taj Mahal, specially photos of interior and ornamental details of carving and flowers in Amina Okada and Ebba Koch's book are not represented in any other book I have come across.
I give 3rd choice for Raghu Rai's TAJMAHAL" for it's art of photography and Very large poster size photos.
4th book ($4 on Amazon) I suggest is, "THE TAJ MAHAL", published by 'Newsweek' that has 15 photos and more writing.
These 4 books make a complete book treasure on "TAJ MAHAL". I would not like to miss any of these 4 books. Those who want to visit Taj Mahal and take it's pictures, one must buy or refer to these 4 books so that they can take memory of the TAJ in real sense. Otherwise, later on they may feel that they have missed a lot about Taj Mahal without referring to these book. I still compare the vast difference between my amateurish photography of the TAJ" done before 35 years and photography of above 4 books. Taj visitors, cut photos from this book and place with other photos of your Tajmahal album if you have missed to take them. or you can show this book along with your Taj Album. You will have a great memory.
HARSHAD D, PATEL
8 WINDWOOD DR
GLASTONBURY CT 06033 USA
- Reviewed in the United States on January 18, 2017Especially love the maps from the time the Taj was built. Gives the reader a completely different perspective of the city and not just the Taj itself. What a glorious place Agra must have been, nothing like the mess it is today. Makes me sad to think of the loss of all the beautiful havelis and gardens that once lined the river. Would love to see an updated, contemporary edition reflecting new findings about the garden across the river.
- Reviewed in the United States on August 28, 2013Didn't know what to expect from just the cover advertisement. Very pleased with the content. Comprehensive history of the rulers of India, art and architecture, and very complete drawings and photos of the "Taj" itself, not to mention the neighborhood. Well worth the price. The Taj is definitely on my "bucket list" . John Anderson, Las Cruces, NM
- Reviewed in the United States on February 28, 2009If you like old world architect, then this book is for you. You will get to enjoy one of the great man-made wonders of the world up close. Refreshing articles, lovely pictures and wonderful layouts.
- Reviewed in the United States on March 14, 2015It was a very gratifying experience to get the book shipped and delivered quickly and then going over the beautifully written and illustrated contents of the history and background of creation of one of the most remarkable monument of all times.
- Reviewed in the United States on February 23, 2015Great book!
- Reviewed in the United States on November 6, 2016Its a good book.
Top reviews from other countries
-
Karl Wilhelm Bartsch Nachf.Reviewed in Germany on October 21, 2020
1.0 out of 5 stars Gutes Buch in beklagenswertem Zustand
Mehrere Risse im Schutzumschlag durch kitschigste Aufkleber geflickt und an den Ecken bestoßen. Sowas zu diesem Preis anzubieten, wagen sich nur Kulturbanausen.
- RobertReviewed in the United Kingdom on December 21, 2011
5.0 out of 5 stars Amazing Photos
After visting the Taj Mahal, this is one of the two "must-have" books to re-live the amazing memories, with awesome photos. Worth the money!