It is amazing how even day to day affairs have been portrayed with the help of sculptures in India. History of Indian sculpture originated with the world`s oldest culture that is the Indus Valley Civilization. The art of sculpture requires the sculptors to breathe life to the cold and lifeless stones and rocks. The Indian artisans have been successfully rendering life to these listless blocks.

The native Indian sculptures have immortalized themselves in the temples and ancient cities. There was a constant influence of foreign art and culture that enriched Indian sculpture and architecture. The history of Indian sculpture is steeped in details. Mauryas introduced a new idiom of temple building. Religious buildings were constructed to spread Buddhism like Stupas, viharas, caves and pillars. As Hinduism once again revived itself Indian temple sculptures came into existence. The credit lies with those prolific royal builders who commissioned some of the most exquisite pieces of temple sculpture. As one beholds the beauty of the figurines at Veeraabhadra Temple or Khajuraho Temple, it will seem as if those stone statues will break their silence to address the beholder. Whether it is eroticism or simply spirituality these stone sculptures from both North and South Indian are unrivaled.

The grandeur that the Islamic art brought to India has been embossed in marbles and red sandstones. A set of new features were introduced for Indian sculpture and architecture. When the Britishers reigned over India, the lavish style of the Mughal emperors was replaced by colossal monuments. These structures and the sculptures in them were reminiscent of the European Gothic style. After 1947 Indian gained freedom and thus there was a revival of the ancient and original identity in the sphere of sculpture.

Today Indian sculpture has gone international. Several artisans from the sub-continent have are recognized for their flair. Amidst the urge to conform to the new forms and shapes glimpses of the old ideas, forms and the love for the ancient is still visible. This is one of the reasons why one would still come across a statue of the Hindu gods amid hordes of Indian sculptures that represent the modern man and his environs.