{"product_id":"royal-patronage-power-and-aesthetics-in-princely-india","title":"Royal Patronage Power and Aesthetics in Princely India","description":"\u003cp\u003eIn this review of Royal Patronage, Power and Aesthetics in Princely India the reviewer finds a focused, scholarly look at the zenana and the material culture of princely India that will appeal to readers interested in architecture, costume and courtly life. The book's main strength is its interdisciplinary approach to the female quarters of palaces and homes, combining discussion of \u003cstrong\u003earchitecture\u003c\/strong\u003e, jewellery, fashion and cuisine to give a coherent cultural picture. It reads like an academic study accessible to informed general readers and specialists alike.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eKey Features\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eFocused study:\u003c\/strong\u003e Concentrates on the zenana, offering detailed attention to the female quarters rather than a broad sweep of political history, which helps readers understand a specific social space.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eInterdisciplinary approach:\u003c\/strong\u003e Blends analysis of architecture, fashion, jewellery and cuisine so readers can see how material culture intersected with courtly life.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eHistorical range:\u003c\/strong\u003e Covers the late nineteenth and twentieth centuries, providing context for changing tastes and influences across two critical eras in princely states.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eIllustrative potential:\u003c\/strong\u003e The subject suggests rich visual and descriptive material that supports close readings of design and aesthetics within palaces and homes.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eScholarly voice:\u003c\/strong\u003e Written as a study that will be useful for researchers, students and readers who prefer a measured, evidence-based account of princely aesthetics.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eWho It's For\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis book is best for readers with an interest in South Asian history, art history, museum studies or material culture, and for graduate students and scholars who want a focused treatment of courtly domestic spaces. The emphasis on the zenana and on visual culture makes it valuable to anyone researching gendered spaces or decorative traditions in princely India.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThose seeking a broad political narrative of princely rule or a general social history of India should look elsewhere; this study is specific in scope and assumes interest in design, fashion and interior life rather than a survey of political events.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003ePros \u0026amp; Cons\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003ePros\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eProvides a concentrated examination of the zenana that fills a gap in studies of princely domestic life.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eSuccessfully connects \u003cstrong\u003efashion\u003c\/strong\u003e and jewellery with architectural settings to show cultural continuity across objects and rooms.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eUses the late nineteenth and twentieth century framing to trace stylistic change over time, useful for comparative study.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eCons\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eIts narrow focus means readers wanting broad political context or mass social history may find the scope limited.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eSpecifications\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003ctable\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eTitle\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eRoyal Patronage, Power and Aesthetics in Princely India\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eSeries\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eEmpires in Perspective\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eAuthor\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eAngma Dey Jhala\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eSubject focus\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eZenana, architecture, fashion, jewellery, cuisine\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eHistorical period\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eLate nineteenth and twentieth centuries\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eCategory hint\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eBooks; History; Asia; India\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003c\/table\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eOur Verdict\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eRoyal Patronage is a valuable, well-focused study for readers interested in the aesthetics of princely India and the gendered spaces of court life. Its concentrated attention to the zenana and to material culture makes it good value for researchers and informed readers who want depth on architecture, fashion and jewellery rather than a general political history.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eFrequently Asked Questions\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eDoes this book cover palace architecture?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eYes; it discusses architecture in the context of the zenana and how design shaped female domestic spaces.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eIs the book suitable for general readers?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eIt is accessible to informed general readers but is written in a scholarly tone best suited to students and researchers.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWhat time period does it cover?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eThe study focuses on the late nineteenth and twentieth centuries in princely Indian states.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Angma Dey Jhala","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":48226657403099,"sku":"1851960643","price":209.13,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0724\/1043\/1707\/files\/51WL9cDKnxL._SL1360.jpg?v=1770756405","url":"https:\/\/gearmusthave.com\/products\/royal-patronage-power-and-aesthetics-in-princely-india","provider":"GearMustHave","version":"1.0","type":"link"}