Pioneering Modernism in India

In 1929, Maharaja Yashwant Rao Holkar II of Indore and his wife, Maharani Sanyogita, envisioned a home that would reflect their cosmopolitan outlook and love for the avant-garde. To bring this vision to life, they turned to their friend, the young German architect Eckart Muthesius, whose work was deeply inspired by the Bauhaus movement. The result was Manik Bagh (trans. Gem Garden), completed in 1933—a residential palace that pioneered the introduction of western modern aesthetics into Indian architecture and culture.

This richly illustrated publication documents the extraordinary story of Manik Bagh through rare vintage photographs taken by Muthesius, portraits and photographs by Man Ray and Emil Leitner, as well as lesser-known watercolours and design studies by Muthesius himself. It explores how the architect, with Bauhaus sensibilities, innovated to adapt modern design to the Indian climate—using glass dust instead of wallpaper, curving awnings for monsoons, and introducing functionalist principles into a royal setting.

Pioneering Modernism in India situates Manik Bagh not only as an architectural marvel but also as a cultural milestone, born of a unique friendship between a progressive Indian ruler and a German designer at the cusp of his career. Together, they created a palace that merged architecture, art, design, and craft into a bold statement of modernity.

Published alongside the exhibition, this volume offers readers a visual and historical journey into Manik Bagh’s enduring legacy, making it an essential addition for anyone interested in modernism, cross-cultural exchange, and architectural innovation in India.