James Fergusson, Scottish architectural historian, made Indian architecture popular in Western nations!!

Navrang India June 20, 2024

ames Fergusson (architect) en. Wikipedia. org

Early Life and Career:  James Fergusson, born on 22 January 1808 in Ayr, Scotland, was the son of an army surgeon. His early education took place at the Royal High School in Edinburgh, followed by a private school in Hounslow. In 1835, he sailed to India to join Fairlie, Fergusson, and Co., a mercantile firm in Calcutta where his brother William was a partner. Despite his primary occupation in business, Fergusson developed a passionate interest in historical Indian architecture, which grew into a significant scholarly endeavor.

Scottish architect James Fergusson architexturez.net/

temple of Parasurameswara, J.fergusson, lookandlearn.com

Temple at Kantonuggur,J> Fergusson.lookandlearn.com

 Central Pavilion in the Palace at Deeg. by J. Fergusson

Above image: source-  History of Indian and Eastern Styles of Architecture, London: John Murray, 1876, p. 483...........

palace at Madura (TN) J. Fergusson lookandlearn.com

Joining Fairlie, Fergusson, and Co., of  Calcutta in 1835 where his brother William was a partner. A Fergusson developed passion for  historical Indian architecture on the sidelines. 

Jaismund Lake in Rajasthan by James Fergusson. The Victorian Web

Rock-cut temple of India 1845. UCSB Library

Mt.Abu dilwara Jain temple by Fergusson .columbia.edu

Contributions to Indian Architecture: Fergusson's approach to studying architecture was characterized by meticulous fieldwork and keen observation. Between 1835 and 1845, he traveled extensively across the Indian subcontinent, documenting numerous monuments and ancient structures through detailed notes and sketches. He used the camera lucida, a tool aiding in accurate reproduction of images, which greatly enhanced the precision of his work. Fergusson's efforts were pioneering in their typological analysis and chronological categorization of temples and monuments.

Advocacy and Recognition: Fergusson deplored the lack of attention paid by the British in India to the country’s treasure trove of ancient architecture. He approached the Directors of the East India Company, advocating for a detailed study of these ancient structures by competent scientists

Fergusson was a vocal advocate for the study of India's ancient architecture, urging the Directors of the East India Company to support detailed studies by competent scientists. In 1840, he was elected a member of the Royal Asiatic Society. His significant publications include "The Rock-cut Temples of India" (1845) and "The Handbook of Architecture" (1855), later expanded and retitled "The History of Architecture". These works were foundational in the study of ancient architecture, combining objective documentation with interpretive analysis.

Key Publications and Exhibitions: Among Fergusson's notable works were "Tree and Serpent Worship" (1868) and studies on Buddhist remains at Sanchi and Amaravati. His book "Rude Stone Monuments of Many Lands" (1872) argued that the megalithic monuments of India were historic rather than prehistoric. Fergusson also played a crucial role in international exhibitions, such as the Indian Court of the Crystal Palace and the Exposition Universelle in Paris in 1867, where he supervised the display of Indian art.

Legacy: James Fergusson's contributions to the study of Indian architecture were immense. His ability to combine detailed field studies with scholarly analysis brought a nuanced understanding of ancient Indian architecture to the Western world. He passed away on 9 January 1886 in London and was buried at Highgate Cemetery. His legacy remains a cornerstone in the field of architectural history, inspiring future generations to explore and appreciate the artistic and historical wealth of ancient structures