Abstract
How architecture, and its making, influences the formation of collective and individual identity is a complex topic that is not commonly encountered, nor easily studied. When situated historically, it entails the meticulous unravelling of layers of meaning buildings accrue over time, while simultaneously pulling in strands of surrounding information to weave a persuasive narrative. In his recent book, ‘Artisans, Sufis, Shrines: Colonial Architecture in Nineteenth‐Century Punjab,’ Dr. Hussain Ahmed Khan, has attempted to do just that. His thesis, with which he opens his book, is that “political control does not necessarily entail control over culture.” The rest of the concise, albeit substantive, book offers evidence to support that claim. He does this by first establishing vital connections between sufis, artisans and (predominantly shrine) architecture in the Punjab by tracing social, economic, spiritual, historical and cultural associations from the 17th century till the early 20th century to show the emergence of a particular muslim identity. In the second part of the book, he offers an in‐depth exploration of the introduction of colonial art education, exhibitions and architecture in the 19th century, and their successes as well as ‘discordant’ relations with local Punjabi artisans.