Rosie Llewellyn-Jones Libri

This stunning photographic and historical journey through one of India’s most beloved cities follows the architectural evolution of important buildings and provides a unique narrative of cultural harmony and disequilibrium. The Northern Indian city of Lucknow, the capital of Uttar Pradesh, extends along the banks of the River Gomti. Once the center of an elaborate and highly sophisticated culture, and home to a variety of ethnic communities, Lucknow was also the sight of some of the most destructive fighting of the 1857 uprising. Many of its ornate and culturally diverse buildings were subsequently destroyed, and countless roads were rebuilt, effectively demolishing the thriving city that had once existed. This series of lovely 19th-century duotone photographs from the renowned Alkazi Collection follows the life and death of many of the city’s most important buildings. Augmented by the work of world-class historians and architects, it reveals the important connections between the two disciplines, as played out in a city that is constantly changing, and forever adding to its rich historic past.

The narrative captures the tumultuous events of the 1857-8 uprising in India through the perspectives of both British and Indian eyewitnesses. It offers a vivid portrayal of the chaos and societal upheaval during this critical period, highlighting the contrasting experiences and emotions of those caught in the turmoil, which one observer described as 'the wind of madness.' This dual viewpoint enriches the understanding of the complexities and human experiences during the uprising.