Art of India Ch. 4.2
Indus Valley Civilization 2500 BC-1500 BC The earliest Indian culture Ended 1500 BC Located in Modern Pakistan
Used to stamp seals on official documents. Some of the earliest evidence of the use of symbols and script in India Approximately 400 different signs have been catalogued, though despite scholarly efforts for nearly 80 years, it has yet to be deciphered. On most of these examples we can see the script above the animals. The animals are often partly human with animal features. Seals from Mohenjo-daro, Pakistan c. 3000 B.C.E. steatite each approximately 1 3/8 x 1 3/8 in.
The Mauryan Era 322 BC-185 BC Or known as the Ganges civilization. During the era hymns called The Vedas were written. This marked the beginning of Hinduism. Until In the 4 th century BC India was ruled by the Maurya family and King Asoka and he was greatly influenced by Buddhism.
Built by King Asoka Symbol of India The base is on the Indian Flag Column inscribed with Buddhist teachings. Asoka Capital
Buddhist Architecture Burial Mound Contained relics of the Buddha s body Relief carvings on the walls and gateway allowed believers on pilgrimages to read Buddhist teachings The small rail at the top is called the Harmika. It is topped with stylized umbrellas that symbolize the 33 higher heavens of Mahayana Buddhism. Great Stupa or Stupa 1 (in the book) Sanchi, India 2 nd century BC-1 st century AD
The Gandhara Era 78AD-250AD Greek armies under Alexander made conquests in Northern India and Pakistan after 326 BC. Therefore, the first significant Buddhist Sculpture had a Greek influence. The first images of Buddha appeared in the Hellenistic kingdoms of Bactria and Gandhara. The sculptures were based on Greek sculptural methods and aesthetics. The sculptures had Western facial and body types. The colossal head of Buddha made of stucco shows a Greek style face, except for the half closed treatment of the eyes. The hair is formed in style similar to Greek gigues of Apollo. However distinct Buddhist motifs were developed to show Buddhist scared nature. Elongated earlobes, the ushnisha coil of hair protruding form the back of the head, and the third eye, or urna which symbolized his omniscience. Under the gandarea
The goddess Hera. Colossal stone head from the cult-statue of Hera, in the Heraion of Olympia. H. 52 cm, 580 BC. Greek art. Archaeological Museum of Olympia Greece
The Gandhara Era Under the Gandhara school of art, the first Indian temples were cut into hillsides of live rock.
The Gupta Era 320-600 AD Golden Age of Buddhist Indian Art. Drama, Literature, painting, sculpture and architecture flourished. Elaborate cave temples mingled both Buddhist and Hindu designs.
Gupta Era cont d Hinduism experienced a revival towards the end of the Gupta era. Multistoried roofs Square towers Symmetrical The building complex is meant to represent order in the universe. Pathways are provided for worshipers and their rituals. Images of Nandi, the bull in the foreground, symbolize the god Siva. Temple at Mamallapuram
The Gopura Massive towered gateways Placed at the entrances to the temple complexes Dravidian Style Each level on the pyramidal shaped tower is filled with sculptural and painted panels from Hindu mythology. Meenakshi Temple Madurai India 17 th century
The Mughal Period Bronze casting was practiced by the Chola (another Medieval kingdom)
The Mughal Period Emperor Akbar reunited the divided medieval kingdom into the Mughal Empire. Many Hindu temples were destroyed during the Mughal period. They were replaced with Mosques and palaces. They brought the Persian style with them. Mosaics of stone and ceramic decorated the floors and walls in arabesque patterns of leaves, flowers and geometric motifs Typical of this era was the production of fine small objects in enamel, mother of pearl, glass or metalwork.
The Taj Mahal Took 18 years to build Finished in 1648. Built by Shah Jahan to memorialize his beloved wife. Took 2000 workers