A masterly, compact, beautifully illustrated analytical study, which portrays the history and development of Bombay’s magnificent Gothic architecture
The Gothic Revival architectural style, innovatively adapted to local conditions and materials, was introduced to 19th century Bombay during Governor HBE Frere’s administration and tenure. Frere expected the famous architects, theorists and prominent Indians of the era, who assisted him in the realization of his aesthetic vision for Bombay, would serve to establish it as the country’s ‘first city’. Carefully tracing the evolution of Bombay’s distinctive architectural style, Christopher London reveals the fascinating social and architectural history of a developing metropolis. Lavishly illustrated with colour photographs as well as rare archival materials, and drawing visual comparisons with both contemporary and medieval European models, Bombay Gothic presents a comprehensive analysis and portrait of Victorian architecture in Bombay.
Christopher W London earned his doctorate from Oxford University in 1987 with his dissertation on British Architecture in Victorian Bombay. An art and architectural historian, he now specializes in the British architecture of India. He guest edited and was a contributing author to MARG’s Architecture in Victorian and Edwardian India (1994) and The Arts of Kutch (2000). He contributed articles to MARG’s From Bombay to Mumbai, (1997), Lucknow Then and Now, (2003), and Banaras The City Revealed, (2005). He contributed to the Encyclopaedia Britannica on South Asian cities (2003) on architectural highlights and historic development, and to The Times of India, The Indian Architect & Builder, and other publications in Bombay, London and Cambridge. He is continuously engaged on writing projects about India. He is also featured in the Open University course ‘A 216 Home’ on Gothic in India: Bombay Railway Station, a program on Bombay Gothic produced by Colin Cunningham.
Actively engaged in the Heritage Conservation work of New York City, he has been honoured repeatedly for his work there. His long service on several civic groups has led to a strong association with his colleagues in this field. It has also comprised numerous commissions to research, write up and present to the New York City Landmarks Preservation Commission his historic reports as a heritage advocate. He has also lectured for The Victorian Society of Great Britain, at Cambridge University, and for the Society of South Asian Studies in London. He resides in London and New York.
