Greetings from the Royal Pavilion, a stunning reminder of India in southern England
The author reflects on the Royal Pavilion in Brighton, England, noting its unique blend of South Asian architecture and British history. The piece explores the building's evolution from a royal residence to a military hospital and finally a public museum.
Why it matters
It provides a historical perspective on the cultural exchange and colonial legacy between Britain and India.
Lauren Frayer/NPR Mughal arches, onion domes, chhatri-topped towers. Living in India for five years, I'd Instagram my way through a maharaja's palace, Sikh temple or sultan's fort every weekend. I got used to strolling through scalloped arches. How I miss them!
Which is why I froze in my tracks last winter when I spotted this building in Brighton, on England's south coast. The day was drizzly gray, I'd gone for a bracing swim in the English Channel, and was walking back to the train station, shivering, when I was flooded with warm memories from India.
Get smarter about the news
Sign up free for a feed built around what you actually care about, Dive Deeper research on any story, and the full text of every article.
Create free accountAlready have an account? Sign in