Title
Gandhinagar: Building National Identity in Postcolonial India,Used
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The culmination of Ravi Kalia's trilogy on the formation of capital cities in postcolonial India, Gandhinagar joins the historian's other two volumes, on Chandigarh and Bhubaneswar, in tracing India's efforts to establish its twentiethcentury architectural identity. In following the development of these cities, Kalia recounts India's progression through precolonial, British, modern, and postmodern theory and practice, particularly the architectural ideology propagated by Western architects Le Corbusier and Louis Kahn.Kalia explains that Gandhinagar, the capital of Gujarat in western India, became a battleground for the competing ideals that had surfaced during the building of Chandigarh and Bhubaneswar. The mill owners of the neighboring city of Ahmedabad, backed by Indian architect and planner Balkrishna Doshi, wanted the American Louis Kahn to build Gandhinagar as a worthy rival to Le Corbusier's Chandigarh. There was, however, tremendous political pressure to make Gandhinagar a purely Indian enterprise, partly because the state of Gujarat was the birthplace of Mahatma Gandhi. Kalia illumines Kahn's early influence in the city and his replacement by Doshi and then by Americantrained H. K. Mewada, who had apprenticed with Le Corbusier in Chandigarh. Kalia shows that, unlike the other two cities, Gandhinagar would become emblematic of Gandhian ideals of swadeshi (indigenous) goods and swaraj (selfrule).Exploring the impact of modernist architecture on India as a whole, Kalia suggests that the style gained acceptance because its parsimonious designs and unadorned spaces never represented a threat to a religiously pluralist country anxious to create a secular identity. He explains how two competing versions of Indian history and ideologyGanhdi's and Jawaharlal Nehru'semployed modernism's ideals for their own separate ends. Serving two masters, as Kalia illustrates, created constrictions and tensions evident in the building of Gandhinagar and in the careers of many Indian architects, including Doshi, Charles Correa, and Achyut Kanvinde.
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We provide a 2-year limited warranty, from the date of purchase for all our products.
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This warranty strictly does not cover damages that arose from negligence, misuse, wear and tear, or not in accordance with product instructions (dropping the product, etc.).
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Frequently Asked Questions
- Q: What is the main focus of the book 'Gandhinagar: Building National Identity in Postcolonial India'? A: The book focuses on the architectural development of Gandhinagar, the capital of Gujarat, and its role in shaping India's national identity in the postcolonial era, alongside its historical context with Chandigarh and Bhubaneswar.
- Q: Who is the author of this book and what are his credentials? A: The author is Ravi Kalia, a historian known for his work on the formation of capital cities in postcolonial India, with previous publications on Chandigarh and Bhubaneswar.
- Q: What are the key themes explored in this book? A: Key themes include the influence of modernist architecture, the ideological battles between different architectural philosophies, and the impact of Gandhian ideals on urban planning.
- Q: What type of book is this, and what is its condition? A: This is a hardcover book categorized under History, and it is in new condition.
- Q: How many pages does the book contain? A: The book contains 192 pages.
- Q: When was 'Gandhinagar: Building National Identity in Postcolonial India' published? A: The book was published on August 1, 2004.
- Q: Can you give a brief overview of the architectural influences discussed in the book? A: The book discusses the influences of Western architects like Le Corbusier and Louis Kahn, as well as Indian architects such as Balkrishna Doshi, highlighting the tensions between modernist and indigenous architectural ideologies.
- Q: What makes Gandhinagar unique compared to Chandigarh and Bhubaneswar? A: Gandhinagar is portrayed as emblematic of Gandhian ideals, focusing on indigenous goods and self-rule, contrasting with the modernist influences seen in Chandigarh and Bhubaneswar.
- Q: Is there any discussion of political influences on the architecture of Gandhinagar? A: Yes, the book details political pressures that influenced the architectural direction of Gandhinagar, emphasizing its intended representation of Indian identity, particularly due to its connection to Mahatma Gandhi.
- Q: What can readers expect to learn from this book? A: Readers can expect to learn about the historical and ideological contexts of modern architecture in India, the development of urban spaces, and the complexities involved in architectural planning in postcolonial India.