Enticing monuments

A Saint, a folk talk and other stories

Lesser-known monuments of India

Rana Safvi

First Impression: 2021

Publishers: Rupa

Pages: 235

Price: 295/-

ISBN: 978-93-5520-085-3

Published at the Purple Pencil Project. 

 

This is a collection of articles – 19 on different monuments (most of these in northern India) and 1 on the graves of select poets.

I read this book at a time when I have been exploring places in and around eastern Uttar Pradesh where I am based. The focus is on visiting sites of historical importance. Those I have visited recently include Saidpur (Bhitari), Chunar and Jaunpur. In the process I have got some idea of the archaeological, historical and cultural wealth which dots the landscape. Wealth not hidden but located amidst a densely populated region. And, despite all this the awareness regarding some of these gems is at best low.

This book makes the reader aware to some such monuments. Those away from the limelight but every much as stunning and fascinating as some of their better-known counterparts. In this it is a valuable compilation. That someone has been able to visit these (and would have visited more) warrants compliments.

I have been fortunate to visit a few of the monuments that the book talks of. The Nagina mosque at Champaner, Khusrau Bagh at Allahabad, Paigah tombs at Hyderabad and the graves of Dagh Dehlvi and Mahalaqa Bai Chanda (also at Hyderabad). Each has been a memorable experience. The book reminded me of those experiences. It also made me aware to monuments that I had no idea of - like the Adina Masjid at Pandua or of the Sheikh Chehli tomb and madrasa at Thanesar. It encourages the readers to visit such monuments.

The book uses a broad range of references to bring out the stories pertaining to the monuments - from Ibn Batuta to James Fergusson, from the Gazetteer of Bombay Presidency to the Tuzuk-e-Janangiri. It aptly presents select topics like the tree of life (immortality) being a dominant artistic theme in Hinduism, Jainism and Buddhism. Also, the authors’ trips are from a recent period, one mentions August 2021 as the time of visit, so the experiences are recent.

It would have helped if the details about the places could have been included along with the articles themselves. Similar for the glossary.  While the colour images add to the text not so much the monochrome ones. A map with locations of the monuments could have added value.

The writing is a major let down. Not only could it have been more crisp and tight but also more engaging and eloquent. The text is weak – could have done without the cliches, generalizations and typos.