My research is largely in the history of architecture in South Asia, particularly Indian temple architecture (Buddhist, Hindu, Jain). Going against a prevailing tendency to focus narrowly, this work has embraced most of the subcontinent, and a very long time span, while at the same time involving detailed formal analysis. I have tried to bring to light a meaningful way of looking at what at first sight seem bewilderingly complex structures. The work has revealed striking structural homologies between architecture and other branches of culture, and shown how, within a number of regional traditions, forms evolve in a characteristic way, notwithstanding conspicuous artistic inventiveness. Drawings have played an important role in this research, not only for explanation but also as a means of analysis.
Related research has been on vernacular architecture in India, and more speculative work on the nature of multi-cultural art and architecture. For a long time I have been interested in relationships between architectural history/theory and practice: architectural history may be approached through the eyes of a designer, while architectural design can be informed by an understanding of principles and processes underlying traditional architectures.
As first supervisor I have supervised ten PhDs to completion, and am currently supervising three. Details of my postgraduate research supervision, research projects and architectural design work can be seen on the PRASADA website.
Editing posts
Editor of South Asian Studies
Editorial Board member for Context, Abacus, Pakistan Heritage
Advisory Editor to OUP Online Bibliographies, Hinduism module
Other external activities
Council member, British Association for South Asian Studies http://www.basas.org.uk/
Executive Committee member, European Association of South Asian Art and Archaeology http://www.easaa.org/
Recent Books
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