India is truly a treasure house of sculptural art. The architecture and sculpture of India has flourished through many centuries and it has transformed to its most glorious phases during the period of the Maurya, the Gandhara, the Gupta, the Chalukya, the Chola, the Vijaynagar, the Orissa, the Hoysala, the Mughal and the Indo-Muslim era of Deccan art. The rock-cut caves of Ajanta and Ellora and of Udayagiri; the Chalukyan temple of Virupaksha, of Pattadakal, the great Chola temple of the Nayakas at Madurai, the Indo-Aryan temples at Bhuvaneshwar, Puri and Konark, the Sun temple of Modhera, Gujarat and the Chandela temples of Khajuraho are the ageless edifices which present an endless variety of exquisite stone carvings. The glamorous delight of the Taj Mahal and other magnificent Mughal enclosures has captured the beauty of marble craft of India. Most of the statues in the state of Orissa show extreme delicacy of medieval Indian sculpture.

THE HINDU TEMPLES :
Among all the ancient monuments in India, the most enchanting are the Hindu temples which were built during the medieval period. Regardless of their size the temples can be identified by their unique characteristic feature i.e. the typical pyramidal spire. Especially the south-Indian countryside is filled with pyramidal temples. The temples of Kanchipuram, Madurai, Srirangam, Rameswaram and many others from small villages represent many example of medieval temples.The counterparts of these temple in north is the ancient city of Varanasi. The temples built in the comparatively remote places, which were not accessible to the invaders survived most like Khajuraho in Madhya Pradesh, and Bhubaneswar, Konark in Orissa. The temples were built nearly the source of water as water is important for worship. There is a symbolic meaning in the architecture of these temples. There are mainly three parts- the base, the walls and the spire which corresponds to the earth and the intervening space correspond to the heaven.

THE STUPA :
These are mound-shaped shrines that houses the relics of either Lord Budhha or of any great figure of Budhhist school.the stupas were elaborately decorated structure with beautiful sculptures ornamenting the encircling balustrades and the gateways. The most adoring example of the sculpture is the Sanchi Stupa dated back to third century BC. The Stupas have carvings depicting the life of Budhha, also various deities of the folk religion, which the Budhhist religion has absorbed.

ROCK-CUT ARCHITECTURE :
Rock-cut architecture reached its zenith during the Budhhist period and remarkable Budhhist monuments of this era are found in the Bihar in the East and Maharashtra in the West. Natural grottos and caves in the hilly region were excavated by Budhhist monks and were turned into beautiful prayer halls and monasteries.Though these were rock cut architecture the style revealed its similarity with earlier brick and wood buildings. The windows, balconies and gates were decorated in the shape of huge arches. One of the superb examples of the rock cut architecture is Udaigiri.

MAURYAN SCULPTURE :
Mauryan sculpture has a style of monumentally majestic power, whose finishing touch is so excellent that their shine is not lost even today. As the Budhhism became more influential, its impact was seen on the sculptures such as the Great Stupas of Amaravati and . Here the sculptors show their skill on Marble bas-relief and reveal excellent art work on stone animation and involves nervous energy. The scenes describe the social life of that time as well as narrate the different stories of Budhha`s life.

CAVE ARCHITECTURE-BUDHHIST AND HINDU :
This cave architecture was flourished in the western coast during 3 rd centuries BC as the quality of rocks available there were most suitable for excavation. The caves were basically used by the Budhhist monks for worshipping Budhha as well as residing there. The great cave at Karla is one of the examples of cave architecture. The cave is big in size and is well lightened which gives it the effect of tranquility and peace. The human couples carved in this cave are full of grace and elegance. In the later period cave architecture was also adapted by Hindus, the outstanding examples are temples at Badami, Elephanta and Ellora. The Mahesmurthi of Elephanta caves near Mumbai represent Shiva in three aspects of Creator, Preserver and destroyer. This one is obviously the finest piece of Indian sculptor. The Ellora temple represents the artistic variations of Hindu, Budhhist and Jainas. The most spectacular work of art is the Kailasa temple of 8th century. The temple was made of rock having the appearance of a small man-made mountain resembling the heavenly mountain Himalayas- the abode of Lord Shiva.

THE GOLDEN AGE OF INDIAN ART-THE GUPTA PERIOD :
In the Gupta period (from 320-495 AD) the temple art and sculptures reached the pinnacle of perfection and therefore this period is known as The Golden Age of Indian Art. Though the temple architecture of this period was yet to develop but the figures carved in this period was full of vitality, spirituality and grace. The Hindu iconography reached the peak as is seen in the Dasavatara temple at Deogarh.

TEMPLE ARCHITECTURE AFTER GUPTA PERIOD :
The temple architecture was developed fully after Gupta period. The pyramidal spire which became a characteristic trademark of north Indian temples. There was a wave of temple construction throughout India in the tenth and eleventh centuries. The example of these great temples are that of Khajuraho in Madhya Pradesh (10th-11th centuries) and Bhubaneswar in Orissa(8th-11th centuries). The marble Jain Temples at Dilwara(11th-13th centuries)is the example of later phase of this style. The temples were splendidly decorated with sculptures elaborately carved all over the world. The deities are made with sensual poses and couples in amorous postures. There are also motifs of mythical animals, various combinations of elephants, lion and bird and other popular figure. Also there are long friezes depicting hunting scenes and court as well as procession of the soldiers. The eroticism of medieval Indian sculpture has no explanation only except the theory of Hindu philosophy of physical union being the ecstasy of ultimate spiritual union.

TEMPLE ARCHITECTURE OF SOUTH :
The temple architecture reached its ultimate perfection from the seventh century. From this time the whole country was in a fever of constructing temples, especially in South India. The largest masterpiece of South Indian temple is Brihadeesvara Temple at thanjavur, constructed by Chola King Rajaraja I at the end of tenth century. The other great examples of medieval South Indian Temples are those of Halebid, Belur and Somnathpur in Karnataka, which have rich carvings on them. This particular temple building art became easier as the stones available remain soft while carving but hardened on exposure.

MUSLIM ARCHITECTURE :
The architectural style that started as early as Turkish invasions took its shape due course of time and acquired a distinct national characteristic that marks it as Islamic architecture.Many fine early monuments of this period are found in delhi, the most famous one being the Jama Masjid, built by Qutub-Ud-Din Aibak near Qutab minar in the early thirteenth century. The most magnificent phase of Islamic Architecture was initiated by Mughals, under great emperor Akbar. The Agra Fort and the deserted capital city of Fatehpur Sikri and Sikandrabad near Agra are all fine examples of Muslim architecture.,Taj Mahal being the most magnificent of all.