From Civilisational Bonhomie to National Anxieties

Kang Youwei's 17-month journey through India, documented in his travelogue 'Records of Travel to India,' offers a rare 19th-century perspective on the subcontinent's architectural marvels. Translated from Chinese, the text vividly describes Kang's awe-inspiring encounters with Mughal masterpieces like the Taj Mahal and Agra Fort, as well as temples in Mathura, Delhi, Lucknow, Varanasi, and Bodh-Gaya. His detailed observations of intricate carvings and grand structures provide an invaluable glimpse into India's cultural and architectural heritage during a pivotal period of civilizational exchange. The translation sheds light on Kang's admiration for India's diverse heritage while reflecting broader national anxieties of the era.

Sheel, R. (2023). From Civilisational Bonhomie to National Anxieties. Kang Youwei Engages India, 31–140. https://doi.org/10.4324/9781003453512-2