Curzon nostalgia: landscaping historical monuments in India

British colonial landscaping, particularly under Lord Curzon's tenure as Viceroy of India (1899–1905), significantly altered the visual and ecological character of historical monuments like Humayun's Tomb. Curzon's restoration efforts, though aimed at preserving heritage, often departed from Mughal garden traditions by removing fruit trees and overgrown vegetation to enhance sightlines, a departure that some argue distorted original ambience. The study reveals how colonial interventions—rooted in nostalgia for 'orderly wilderness'—reshaped India's monumental landscapes, prioritizing aesthetic uniformity over historical authenticity. Research draws on archival documents, including Curzon's correspondence and restoration reports, alongside scholarly analyses of Mughal garden design to contrast pre-colonial and post-colonial landscaping practices.

Herbert, E. (2012). Curzon nostalgia: landscaping historical monuments in India. Studies in the History of Gardens & Designed Landscapes, 32(4), 277–296. https://doi.org/10.1080/14601176.2012.719715