Clorindo Testa, pintor y arquitecto by Jorge Glusberg (review)

134 Book Reviews practitioners. The layout is uniformly pleasant and eye-catching. The biographical section manages to be informative without suffering the distortions introduced by the translation and lack of editing found in the essays, probably simply because little grammar is required to list dates and titles. Reviewed by Kenneth Krabbenhoft, Department of Spanish and Portuguese, New York University, 19 University Place, New York, NY 10003, U.S.A. A History of Mughal Architecture, Vol. I. R. Nath. Humanities Press, Atlantic Highlands, NJ, 1982.301 pp., illus. Cloth, $90.00. One of the most interesting ideas in this book is in the epilogue, where Nath introduces the term "personality architecture". Nath, Reader in the Department of History and Indian Culture at the University of Rajasthan, relates the development of Mughal (Mogul) architecture in its early phase to the dictates and feelings of the three rulers Babur (1483-1530), Humayun (1507-1556) and Akbar (1542-1605). In his historical sketch (chapter one), Nath describes the Delhi Sultanate in the fourteenth century as decadent and deserving of the destructive invasion in 1398 by Timur (Tamerlane). In the period following the invasion, the ground was prepared for a cultural renaissance. "In fact, the Mughals built their cultural state upon the legacy which bequeathed [sic] upon them." Of the three rulers, Babur is described as a lover of gardens and landscape architecture, which was reflected in the gardens and water settings incorporated into much of the architecture of his time. Examples are the Rambagh Garden at Agra (the Flower-Scatterer Garden) and the Lotus Garden at Dolphur. These were the surroundings for pleasure pavilions and mansions. They show Babur's attachment to, and understanding of, the Persian garden tradition of terraces and water courses. Nath praises Babur as an innovator who "revolutionised the whole art of building". Babur's superstitious son, Humayun, was seriously interested in astronomy and especially astrology and constantly sought guidance from the stars. His personality is emphasized in his architectural use of the twelve-pointed star for the twelve signs of the zodiac. He is also supposed to have built an observatory for his personal use. His recorder and biographer, Khwandamir, wrote of him as a builder of large buildings and strong forts. Unfortunately, many of these structures no longer exist, or exist as parts of later buildings. In Agra, for example, there is only one structure remaining, a mosque, that is definitely of Humayun's time. Nath describes the reign of Akbar as the most significant for personality architecture, naming him the "greatest innovator", and the "rare genius on the Indian scene". One of the great surviving monuments of his reign is the Tomb of Humayun at Delhi. Although Nath agrees that this was the project of Queen Bega Begum, he is convinced that Akbar was associated with it throughout its construction. The influence of Babur is also present in the layout of the enclosed garden, and the influence ofHumayun can be seen in the bulbous double dome. Another element in Mughal architecture Nath considers of major significance is what he calls the geophysical factor-the climate and the availability of building materials. The Jamuna-Chambal region, a relatively small area of northern India which includes the three principal centers of Delhi, Agra and Gwalior, is the setting for architecture of the period Nath discusses. The climate is tropical, with excessive heat from March to October. Thus, architects and builders sought to provide relief from the sun through shadows and water gardens. They also used soothing shades of color and introduced cool mosaics of stones and glazed tiles. Altogether, Nath's History of Mughal Architecture is a fine and interesting study of an important architectural period. It is written in a st.raightforward style, and the text is illustrated by many photographs, diagrams and sketches. Each chapter contains a list of footnotes, including bibliographical references, but there is no complete bibliography . There is also an index and a list of abbreviations. Admirers of Indian art and architecture will enjoy this book and will gain new ideas about architectural sources and inspirations. Reviewed by R. F. Erickson, Historical Studies, Southern Illinois University, Edwardsville, IL 62025, U.S.A. The De...