The Architecture of Empire : France in India and Southeast Asia, 1664–1962

The first comprehensive study of French colonial architecture in South and Southeast Asia. This book considers the large-scale public architecture associated with French imperialism in seventeenth- and eighteenth-century India, Siam, and Vietnam, and nineteenth- and twentieth-century Indochina. A comprehensive study of structures that rank among the most fascinating examples of intercultural exchange in the history of global empires. "Though most monumental buildings of France's global empire--such as the famous Saigon and Hanoi Opera Houses--were built in South and Southeast Asia, much of this architecture, and the history of who built it and how, has been overlooked. The Architecture of Empire considers the large-scale public architecture associated with French imperialism in seventeenth- and eighteenth-century India, Siam, and Vietnam, and nineteenth- and twentieth-century Indochina, the largest colony France ever administered in Asia. Offering a sweeping panorama of the buildings of France's colonial project, this is the first study to encompass the architecture of both the ancien régime and modern empires, from the founding of the French trading company in the seventeenth century to the independence and nationalist movements of the mid-twentieth century. Gauvin Alexander Bailey places particular emphasis on the human factor: the people who commissioned, built, and lived in these buildings. Almost all of these architects, both Europeans and non-Europeans, have remained unknown beyond--at best--their surnames. Through extensive archival research, this book reconstructs their lives, providing vital background for the buildings themselves. Much more than in the French empire of the Western Hemisphere, the buildings in this book adapt to indigenous styles, regardless of whether they were designed and built by European or non-European architects. The Architecture of Empire provides a unique, comprehensive study of structures that rank among the most fascinating examples of intercultural exchange in the history of global empires."-- Provided by publisher Most monumental buildings of France's global empire – such as the famous Saigon and Hanoi Opera Houses – were built in South and Southeast Asia. Much of this architecture, and the history of who built it and how, has been overlooked. The Architecture of Empire considers the large-scale public architecture associated with French imperialism in seventeenth- and eighteenth-century India, Siam, and Vietnam, and nineteenth- and twentieth-century Indochina, the largest colony France ever administered in Asia. Offering a sweeping panorama of the buildings of France's colonial project, this is the first study to encompass the architecture of both the ancien régime and modern empires, from the founding of the French trading company in the seventeenth century to the independence and nationalist movements of the mid-twentieth century. Gauvin Bailey places particular emphasis on the human factor: the people who commissioned, built, and lived in these buildings. Almost all of these architects, both Europeans and non-Europeans, have remained unknown beyond – at best – their surnames. Through extensive archival research, this book reconstructs their lives, providing vital background for the buildings themselves. Much more than in the French empire of the Western Hemisphere, the buildings in this book adapt to indigenous styles, regardless of whether they were designed and built by European or non-European architects. The Architecture of Empire provides a unique, comprehensive study of structures that rank among the most fascinating examples of intercultural exchange in the history of global empires.

Most monumental buildings of France's global empire - such asthe famous Saigon and Hanoi Opera Houses - were built in South andSoutheast Asia. Much of this architecture, and the history of whobuilt it and how, has been overlooked. The Architecture ofEmpire considers the large-scale public architectureassociated with French imperialism in seventeenth- andeighteenth-century India, Siam, and Vietnam, and nineteenth- andtwentieth-century Indochina, the largest colony France everadministered in Asia. Offering a sweeping panorama of the buildingsof France's colonial project, this is the first study to encompassthe architecture of both the ancien régime and modern empires, fromthe founding of the French trading company in the seventeenthcentury to the independence and nationalist movements of themid-twentieth century. Gauvin Bailey places particular emphasis onthe human factor: the people who commissioned, built, and lived inthese buildings. Almost all of these architects, both Europeans andnon-Europeans, have remained unknown beyond - at best - theirsurnames. Through extensive archival research, this bookreconstructs their lives, providing vital background for thebuildings themselves. Much more than in the French empire of theWestern Hemisphere, the buildings in this book adapt to indigenousstyles, regardless of whether they were designed and built byEuropean or non-European architects. The Architecture ofEmpire provides a unique, comprehensive study of structuresthat rank among the most fascinating examples of interculturalexchange in the history of global empires.

Cover THE ARCHITECTURE OF EMPIRE Title Copyright Dedication CONTENTS Acknowledgments 1 INTRODUCTION 2 ORIGINS 3 DIPLOMACY 4 GRANDEUR 5 INTERREGNUM 6 SEMBLANCE 7 APPROPRIATION 8 ASSOCIATION 9 HYBRIDITY Notes Bibliography Index