Timeline of
Indian Artifacts.
A Timeline of few Indian Artifacts from Ancient to latest as a part of
Indian Art Form Subject
Dancing Girl
Mohenjo-Daro
2500 BCE
Mohenjo-Daro
2500 BCE
Indus Valley Civilization ( 2500–1900 BCE)
A bronze statue about 10.5 cm tall, depicting a young girl in a dancing pose. This artifact is one of the earliest known works of metal sculpture and showcases the advanced metallurgical skills of the Indus Valley Civilization. Her confident pose, with one hand on her hip and the other holding an object, suggests a culture rich in artistic expression and possibly ritual dance.
Material: Bronze
Current Location: National Museum, New Delhi, India
A bronze statue about 10.5 cm tall, depicting a young girl in a dancing pose. This artifact is one of the earliest known works of metal sculpture and showcases the advanced metallurgical skills of the Indus Valley Civilization. Her confident pose, with one hand on her hip and the other holding an object, suggests a culture rich in artistic expression and possibly ritual dance.
Material: Bronze
Current Location: National Museum, New Delhi, India
Lion Capital of Ashoka
Sarnath
250 BCE
Sarnath
250 BCE
Maurya Empire (322–185 BCE)
This sandstone sculpture, originally atop a pillar erected by Emperor Ashoka, features four lions standing back-to-back. It symbolizes power, courage, and the spread of Buddhism. The Lion Capital is the national emblem of India, reflecting its significance as a symbol of unity and peace.
Material: Chunar sandstone
Current Location: Sarnath Museum, Uttar Pradesh, India
This sandstone sculpture, originally atop a pillar erected by Emperor Ashoka, features four lions standing back-to-back. It symbolizes power, courage, and the spread of Buddhism. The Lion Capital is the national emblem of India, reflecting its significance as a symbol of unity and peace.
Material: Chunar sandstone
Current Location: Sarnath Museum, Uttar Pradesh, India
Amaravati Stupa Relief
100 CE
100 CE
Satavahana Period (1st - 3rd century CE)
The relief sculptures from the Amaravati Stupa depict various scenes from the life of the Buddha, as well as Jataka tales. These intricately carved marble panels are considered some of the finest examples of early Indian narrative art, demonstrating a blend of indigenous and Hellenistic artistic traditions.
Material: Limestone
Current Location: British Museum, London, UK
The relief sculptures from the Amaravati Stupa depict various scenes from the life of the Buddha, as well as Jataka tales. These intricately carved marble panels are considered some of the finest examples of early Indian narrative art, demonstrating a blend of indigenous and Hellenistic artistic traditions.
Material: Limestone
Current Location: British Museum, London, UK
Standing Buddha
Sarnath
5th century CE
Sarnath
5th century CE
Gupta Period (320–550 CE)
This sandstone statue of the Buddha represents the idealized form of spiritual beauty and serenity that characterizes Gupta art. The Buddha is depicted in the abhaya mudra (gesture of protection), symbolizing reassurance and peace.
Material: Chunar sandstone
Current Location: Sarnath Museum, Uttar Pradesh, India
This sandstone statue of the Buddha represents the idealized form of spiritual beauty and serenity that characterizes Gupta art. The Buddha is depicted in the abhaya mudra (gesture of protection), symbolizing reassurance and peace.
Material: Chunar sandstone
Current Location: Sarnath Museum, Uttar Pradesh, India
Nataraja
(Shiva as the Cosmic Dancer)
11th century CE
(Shiva as the Cosmic Dancer)
11th century CE
Chola Dynasty (c. 9th–13th century CE)
This bronze sculpture represents Shiva as the cosmic dancer who performs the dance of creation and destruction. The Chola bronzes are renowned for their grace and fluidity, exemplified in this dynamic pose of Shiva encircled by a ring of flames, symbolizing the cycle of existence.
Material: Bronze
Current Location: Chola temples and museums worldwide, including the National Museum, New Delhi, India
This bronze sculpture represents Shiva as the cosmic dancer who performs the dance of creation and destruction. The Chola bronzes are renowned for their grace and fluidity, exemplified in this dynamic pose of Shiva encircled by a ring of flames, symbolizing the cycle of existence.
Material: Bronze
Current Location: Chola temples and museums worldwide, including the National Museum, New Delhi, India
Manjushri
Nalanda
12th century CE
Nalanda
12th century CE
Pala-Sena Period (c. 8th–12th century CE)
This sculpture depicts Manjushri, the Bodhisattva of Wisdom, holding a sword and a manuscript, symbolizing the cutting of ignorance and the spread of knowledge. Pala art is known for its intricate metalwork and its influence on Southeast Asian Buddhist art.
Material: Bronze
Current Location: Asian Art Museum, San Francisco, USA
This sculpture depicts Manjushri, the Bodhisattva of Wisdom, holding a sword and a manuscript, symbolizing the cutting of ignorance and the spread of knowledge. Pala art is known for its intricate metalwork and its influence on Southeast Asian Buddhist art.
Material: Bronze
Current Location: Asian Art Museum, San Francisco, USA
Jahangir’s Jade Wine Cup
1607 CE
1607 CE
Mughal Empire (1526–1857 CE)
This exquisitely carved jade cup was used by Emperor Jahangir. The Mughal period is known for its luxurious art and refined craftsmanship, with this cup exemplifying the Mughal love for detailed ornamentation and the use of precious materials.
Material: Jade
Current Location: Victoria and Albert Museum, London, UK
This exquisitely carved jade cup was used by Emperor Jahangir. The Mughal period is known for its luxurious art and refined craftsmanship, with this cup exemplifying the Mughal love for detailed ornamentation and the use of precious materials.
Material: Jade
Current Location: Victoria and Albert Museum, London, UK
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Miniature Painting: Radha and Krishna in a Garden
18th century CE
18th century CE
Rajput Period (c. 16th–19th century CE)
This painting is a fine example of Rajput miniature art, depicting the divine lovers Radha and Krishna in an idyllic garden setting. Rajput paintings are known for their vibrant colors, intricate details, and themes from Hindu mythology.
Material: Paper and natural pigments
Current Location: Various museums, including the National Museum, New Delhi, India
This painting is a fine example of Rajput miniature art, depicting the divine lovers Radha and Krishna in an idyllic garden setting. Rajput paintings are known for their vibrant colors, intricate details, and themes from Hindu mythology.
Material: Paper and natural pigments
Current Location: Various museums, including the National Museum, New Delhi, India
Bharat Mata by Abanindranath Tagore
1905 CE
1905 CE
Bengal School of Art (c. Early 20th century CE)
This painting depicts a personified vision of India as a mother goddess, symbolizing the nation and the struggle for independence. The Bengal School sought to revive traditional Indian art forms in response to Western influences, emphasizing spirituality and national identity.
Material: Watercolor on paper
Current Location: Rabindra Bharati Museum, Kolkata, India
This painting depicts a personified vision of India as a mother goddess, symbolizing the nation and the struggle for independence. The Bengal School sought to revive traditional Indian art forms in response to Western influences, emphasizing spirituality and national identity.
Material: Watercolor on paper
Current Location: Rabindra Bharati Museum, Kolkata, India
Bindu by S.H. Raza
1980 CE
1980 CE
Modern Indian Art (c. 20th century CE)
This abstract painting features a large central dot (Bindu) symbolizing the source of life and consciousness. S.H. Raza, one of India's most celebrated modern artists, blended traditional Indian themes with modernist techniques, creating a unique and globally recognized style.
Material: Acrylic on canvas
Current Location: Various collections worldwide
This abstract painting features a large central dot (Bindu) symbolizing the source of life and consciousness. S.H. Raza, one of India's most celebrated modern artists, blended traditional Indian themes with modernist techniques, creating a unique and globally recognized style.
Material: Acrylic on canvas
Current Location: Various collections worldwide
The Cosmic Battle by Subodh Gupta
2007 CE
2007 CE
Contemporary Indian Art (21st century)
Subodh Gupta is known for his works using everyday objects, particularly kitchen utensils, to comment on Indian culture and society. This installation, featuring a large steel bucket and other utensils, reflects on India's rapid modernization and the juxtaposition of tradition and change.
Material: Stainless steel, mixed media
Current Location: Various international galleries, including the Kiran Nadar Museum of Art, New Delhi, India
Subodh Gupta is known for his works using everyday objects, particularly kitchen utensils, to comment on Indian culture and society. This installation, featuring a large steel bucket and other utensils, reflects on India's rapid modernization and the juxtaposition of tradition and change.
Material: Stainless steel, mixed media
Current Location: Various international galleries, including the Kiran Nadar Museum of Art, New Delhi, India
A Project by Sana Sreeraj
Indian Art Forms - 21LEM301T
Assignment - 01
Assignment - 01