The East ─ Buddhists, Hindus, and the Sons of Heaven

Continuing the Architecture in Context series, this second volume narrates the development of architecture across a huge swathe of the world, from the Indian subcontinent to the Japanese archipelago, over a period extending from prehistory to the arrival of Islam and its distinct traditions from the eleventh century onwards.

Fantastically illustrated, with over 1,000 photographs and drawings, Christopher Tadgell covers the major architectural traditions of India, China, Thailand and Japan as well as the spectacular architecture of Sri Lanka, Nepal, Korea, Myenmar, Bhutan and Tibet. As with the first volume – Antiquity – The East presents not only the buildings themselves, but the cultures and peoples that they are a part of.

Unprecedented in its scope, this volume is a beautiful guide to the fascinating history of Eastern architecture.

Born in Sydney, Chistopher Tadgell studied art history at the Courtauld Institute in London and subsequently taught architectural history for almost thirty years before devoting himself full-time to writing and research, travelling worldwide to examine and photograph buildings from every tradition and period. He is a Trustee of the World Monuments Fund, a Fellow of the Society of Antiquities and a member of both the British and American Societies of Architectural History. His History of Architecture in India is the definitive one-volume account, whilst his publications on French architecture include the standard account in Baroque and Rococo Architecture and Decoration.