Legacies of Indian Art

What can we learn about India’s past by studying these historical artworks?

A map shows the location of India.

Map: Jim McMahon.

Did you know that as of 2018, more than 327 million people live in the United States? And yet India, with an area about one-third the size of the U.S., has a population of more than 1 billion! India is a diverse country—its citizens speak more than 23 languages and practice many different religions, including Hinduism, Islam, and Christianity.

Throughout history, Indian artists have made artwork to honor their country’s rich history, culture, and religions. These historical works provide the foundation we need to understand the artwork Indian artists are making today.

A sculpture of Shiva.

Shiva as Lord of Dance (Nataraja). India, Tamil Nadu, Chola period, 10/11th century. Bronze 27 1/4x24 1/4x9 1/2in. (69.3x61.8x24.1cm). Kate S. Buckingham Fund, 1965.1130. The Art Institute of Chicago, U.S.A.

Which elements of this sculpture are symbolic?

Sculpted Spirituality

Today, 80 percent of Indians practice Hinduism, the third largest religion in the world. The religion dates back thousands of years. Hinduism is a polytheistic religion, which means Hindus worship more than one god. The sculpture above depicts one of the most important Hindu gods: Shiva, who is known as the destroyer.

In this 10th-century sculpture, Shiva performs a complex South Asian dance. His pose is symbolic: the figure’s four arms and two strong legs create a sense of balance, representing the balance of life and death in the universe. Shiva raises one of his right hands in a mudra, or spiritual gesture, that means do not be afraid.

The sculpture is only about 27 inches tall, so people can carry it during religious ceremonies. Hindu worshippers from a thousand years ago as well as the present recognize and understand the symbols in this work.

A golden miniature painting.

Bichitr (active between c. 1615-1640) Jahangir Preferring a Sufi Shaikh to Kings, Mughal Dynasty, Reign of Jahangir, c. 1615-18, margins 1747-48. Opaque watercolor, ink, and gold on paper, 9 15/16x7 1/16in. (25.3x18cm). Freer Gallery of Art, Smithsonian Institution, Washington, D.C.: Purchase. Charles Lang Freer Endowment, F1942.15a.

Why were miniature paintings like this one significant to Indian voyagers?

Pocket-Size Paintings

In the 17th century, miniature paintings were a prized artform in India. They provided a popular way to record and share religious narratives, romantic tales, and information about Indian politics and history. People often brought miniature paintings like the one below on voyages to other countries. Visually conveying ideas made them easily understood, not only by Indian people but also by viewers worldwide.

Artist Bichitr (bih-CHIT-truh) painted this miniature, which is only about 9 inches by 7 inches, using watercolors, ink, and gold on paper. He depicts Jahangir (jah-HAHN-geer), an Indian emperor whose name means “conqueror of the world.” The artist shows Jahangir handing a book to a religious scholar, a gesture that demonstrates his wisdom. Borders made of ornate patterns surround the majestic scene. Patterns like these are common in Indian art.

The Taj Mahal.

Taj Mahal: Getty Images.

What makes the Taj Mahal monumental?

Monumental Beauty

The Taj Mahal (tahj muh-HAL), above, is a monument in Agra, India. People all over the world consider it to be among the most beautiful buildings in the world. The Muslim emperor Shah Jahan (shah juh-HAHN) commissioned it, hiring craftsmen to build it between 1631 and 1648. Most scholars believe he designed the building in honor of his wife, who died during the birth of their 14th child.

Constructed of luminous white marble, the building is perfectly symmetrical. Patterns adorn surfaces on its exterior and interior walls. In the detail below, delicate vines twist and cascade, forming organic shapes ending in crimson blossoms. The Taj Mahal’s majestic domes, towering minarets (tall, slender towers), and lavish gardens attract massive, awestruck crowds every day.

Throughout history, Indian art has evolved according to the ideas and values of India’s people. But the traditions that define the country’s vibrant past also inform its present and its future. As you read the following articles, think about how contemporary artists look to the past to comment on life in India today.

Patterns and designs on walls of the Taj Mahal.

Taj Mahal detail: Getty Images.

Ornate patterns adorn surfaces inside and outside the Taj Mahal.

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