Rock-Cut Temples of India

James Fergusson became one of the leading architectural historians in the 19th century and was awarded many honors. Fergusson had, according to William White’s article, close to ten titles such as C.I.E., D.C.L. Oxon., LL.D. Edin., F.R.S., F.G.S., Vice-President of the Royal Asiatic Society, a Past Vice President of the Royal Institute of British Architects, etc.

However, Fergusson did not study architecture in a university. He taught himself after graduating from a private school and pursued world architecture at his own expense, going on to publish many treatises and books.

Putting an end to his ten years commercial activity in Calcutta, he returned to London. For about ten years between 1834 and 1843 he went to India repeatedly, investigating Indian architecture and taking numerous field notes.

Although his last travel to India was in 1845, he wrote his first treatise the previous year and read it at the Royal Asiatic Society of Great Britain and Ireland at the end of the year. This was “On the Rock-Cut Temples of India”. As Fergusson lectured systematically about the cave temples in various regions quite early, he became well known in Britain as a specialist of Indian architecture. This lecture got such a good response that the British government was prompted into preserving them.

His other important works include the following, all of which are available from Cosmo:

— An historical inquiry into the true principles of beauty in art, more especially with reference to architecture (1849)
— The Illustrated Handbook of Architecture (1855). London: Vol. I and Vol II.
— Tree and Serpent Worship, or Illustrations of Mythology and Art in India, (1868)
— Rude Stone Monuments in all countries, (1872)
— History of the modern styles of architecture (1891)
— History of Indian and Eastern Architecture, 2nd Edition (1910). 2 Volumes