The Forgotten Palaces of Calcutta

Good book - would have enjoyed a few more pictures but worth the price.

In the forgotten palaces Calcutta , author Joanne Taylor achieves her aim of showing another side of Calcutta ; a city she feels , leaves a lasting impression on all who embrace it. While much has been written and photographed on the city's British architect and lifestyle very little has been written on the indigenous equivalent. The author has successfully highlighted the hybrid architectural style of the "Great Houses" and their condition today striving to exist in a city that seems unaware to their fate. There are many brilliant photographs and vibrant description of the house of Tagore, Rajah Nabakrishna Deb's palace, the palace of the Mullick family, the Maharajah of Burdwan's city palace and the grand house of the Laha family. The book certainly does not contain deep reflection but when one finishes reading it the painful question lingers: what is Calcutta to do with its "Great Houses" and can they survive in the twenty first century despite their complex problems.

Very interesting subject. Picture quality very dated and text limited on subjects. Glad I didnt pay the full purchase price.

Such books preserve the history of the city, especially in the age of promoters and wreckers' hammers. i shall be happy if they bring more consciousness among the public for appreciation and preservation of heritage. That way the book is pricewise within reach of many. I came to know quite a few wonderful buildings. Knowledge and labour of love of the author show. A paperback edition would be cheaper. From a scholar of her standard I would wish for a bigger book with more details and wider coverage. As such old Calcutta is photogenic and deserves preservation in records.

Not the writings, but the illustrations, which take the reader hundreds of years backward to the era of palaces. Carefully crafted and a joy to read.

It's a hard cover coffee table kind of book with beautiful pictures and descriptions of the well known as well less known palaces of Kolkata. May not be exhaustive but enough material.

Wonderful book. deserves to be read and enjoyed widely, especially be anybody who has been, or is going to that wonderful city.