Gezicht op de ruïne van een paleis op Sarkhej Roza bij Ahmedabad before 1866

This photograph by Thomas Biggs captures the ruins of a palace at Sarkhej Roza near Ahmedabad. Here, the arcade, with its rhythmic repetition of arches, stands not merely as an architectural element but as a symbol of continuity and connection. Consider how such arcades appear in Roman aqueducts, Renaissance cloisters, or even modern shopping malls. Each iteration echoes the past, yet adapts to its present. These repeating forms might be interpreted through a psychoanalytic lens as a representation of our subconscious yearning for order amidst chaos. Observe the state of decay, a poignant reminder of time's relentless march. This imagery stirs deep emotional responses; the melancholic beauty of ruins evokes a sense of nostalgia, reminding us of the ephemeral nature of human achievement. The cyclical nature of rise and fall is a potent symbol, resonating across cultures and epochs, constantly reborn in new contexts.