As early as the fourteenth century, stories glorifying the exotic palaces of Indian rulers began to circulate in the West, stories which closer acquaintance only confirmed. Even today, they are magical places--small towns rather than single buildings, in which the Hindu and Muslim rulers of the subcontinent dispensed their laws and enjoyed their wealth. The beauty and atmosphere of these palaces are displayed here in Antonio Martinelli's exceptional color photographs. George Michell, a recognized authority on Indian architecture and art, tells the story of the palaces. He evokes life within the complexes and describes their many elements: defenses, spacious audience halls and courtyards, temples and mosques, private apartments and service quarters. These fascinating edifices are receiving increasing numbers of visitors each year, yet there has been no in-depth survey of them since 1925. Here is a superb record of the palaces, living witnesses to a regal aspiration to recreate heaven on earth.