Authors: George Michell and Amit Pasricha

The Mughal Empire, which extended across the Indian sub-continent in the 16th and 17th centuries, once controlled a quarter of the world’s population. By the time their era was effectively ended by the British they had left a legacy of some of the most beautiful architecture ever created. The most famous example, the Taj Mahal, adorns the cover of this huge and stunning book, which examines in detail the palaces, forts and monuments of these fascinating people. Michell is an architectural historian specialising in India and Pasricha is one of India’s foremost photographers, so we’re in good hands as we’re guided around the likes of the Red Fort in Delhi, the Amber Palace in Jaipur, and the Taj itself, as well as many lesser- known and less well preserved buildings. The text is informative and the photography outstanding, as it slips seamlessly from wide panoramic vistas to exquisite details.