Architectural heritage of Gujarat : interpretation appreciation values

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 wide spectrum of culture and history found here, in the midst of the twenty-first century. The book addresses the political and philanthropic intervention as one of the strong basis in the making of the society as well as architecture. It also provides a narrative, weaving other religious aspects and cultural trends that are found in Gujarat.

The authors explore with a keen eye the architectural heritage of the State. The book is a product of the authors' 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 a purpose that the common man understands his/her own heritage. Thus the book is written to address to 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 are by Miki Desai and the authors' documentation office. Perhaps a book of this nature by a Governmental department is happening for the first time in the Indian context.