Indian art is highly introspective, The idea of Sadrishya in Hindu aesthetic is important in Indian art, which implies "creation of truth", meaning"ideal proportion". This does not imply naturalism, illusion in any external sense. Indian Art encompasses a vast era of ancient and medieval history in India. Development of art has taken place over the years since ages. In order to get an overview of Indian art we need to follow different periods of Indian history because these periods are distinctly rich in its own characteristic features each standing out in its own diversity and richness. Art is always related with the cultural, social and religious history and traits of a place, as well as philosophies and ideologies so it is in the case of Indian art. Political ascendancy has affected Indian art in an enormous stature, since whenever the country have been under certain rule it exhibited the characteristics of that period which was very distinct from the rest. Though at times it has been seen to overlapped each other to certain extent. Indian art progressed under the Hindu and Buddhist kings like the Mauryas, Cholas, Gupta dynasty in the ancient times, followed by Muslim conquests, English Rule and finally the post independence era sweeping over aspects of modernism, postmodernism continuing into the present day. Art and culture is highly affected by the modernist and post modernist tendencies encouraging the emergence of different schools of thought and this global phenomenon also touched Indian art which germinated into the modern art which is abstract art open for varied interpretations with ideas of cubism, symbolism etc.

Indian Art is affluent in paintings, sculpture and tapestry of ancient heritage, medieval times, Mughal era, British rule, Progressive art and presently contemporary art. Buddhist art later replaced art from a religious Hindu background, from which is recorded the origin of art in India. Religious scriptures were basic source of inspiration and ideas for the Indian artists. Gupta period marks the beginning of a new concern for Gods and not people. Indian art in ancient and medieval times rock curving was another such art that flourished extensively and the frescoes were also greatly popular. Being patrons of the Brahmin community, many hindu kings encouraged art in order to promote religious activities that is the reason why most of the artwork of Hindu kings depict scenes from epics like Ramayan and Mahabharat and other mythological stories.

Indian art in 2nd century BC produced the splendid cave paintings and they still are a big attraction. There is evidence of water cosmology in Indian painting until 6th century AD as can be seen in the wall paintings of Ajanta and Bagh. Mughal paintings hardly follow the maxim of realism in style but their themes are true to its period. In fact they can be seen as the most significant illustrations of their times. It was a blend of the Indian and the Persian style, and depicted various themes; like scenes of a Mughal court to lovers in ultimate privacy. These themes were both informative and provocative. Rock-cut structures are very important in Indian art, they were related to various religious communities like Buddhist and Jain. Many such monuments are brilliant specimens of art. Then come the tribal paintings, miniature paintings and so on. These are very characteristic of their region and culture.

Indian art is interrelated with the visual and the non-visual arts. Visual arts comprises of sculpture, painting and architecture; literature, music etc falls under the non-visual arts. Kapila Vatsyayan remarked that in Indian art, painting, sculpture, literature, muzic shared spiritual beliefs as well as the process by which the relationships of the symbol and the spiritual states were worked out vividly, with eachother. Dissimilarities in `fine` and `decorative arts in India is not marked it is kind of implied. Looking back at the most civilized settlements, Harappa , the statue of the dancing girl is evident of their clear knowledge about anatomy and of the human figure. Temples that were built lately have an influence of the fire alters of the Vedic period, which had immense astronomical and mathematical significance.

Indian Rock Cut Art:
Rock cut art is another unique specimen of Indian art. Basically these rock-cut structures were related to various religious communities. The rock-cut architecture differs from traditional buildings in many ways. The rock-cut art is more similar to sculpture than architecture as cutting out solid rocks produced structures. Some of the finest rock cut structures is found in Bihar and Maharashtra. Chaityas and Viharas are rock cut structures made for Buddhist and Jain monks as their residence and worshipping zones.

Indian Fresco:
Fresco is a style of painting that another landmark in Indian art that is basically done on a wet surface, firstly a smooth batter of limestone mixture was applied over the stones, in a matter of three to four days painting was done on that surface. Chola frescoes were discovered underneath the paintings of the Nayak period.

Indian Folk and tribal art:
Folk and tribal art forms a part of Indian art as a whole. It has undergone transformation since a long time. They have evolved along with classical art. Tribal and folk art belong to the section of people who belong to different social groups and it has a native flavor. These are visual arts for example paintings that depict their lifestyle, tradition and culture. They are the ones close to nature and this thing is regional. They have a set of belief system that allows them to interpret things in their own native ways and this influence them in their art even. Puranic gods and legends are often changed into contemporary manner. Tribal and folk art has the inclusion of fairs, festivals, local deities, fantasy in their representation. Indian art cannot do away with this section that has a regional and a mystic aura in it.

Indian Contemporary art:
Contemporary art is associated with the modernist period that is post 1960. Indian art has evolved quite a great deal which is evident from the rise of contemporary art. Contemporary art can be defined as the loss of rigidity in defining types of art. It deals with the present day issues. In this art, the ideas and impulse behind the work are more important than medium behind the art. Kalighat paintings emerged as a contemporary art around the time of Indian independence close to he Kali Mandir area in Bengal.

Indian architecture
The building traditions of the Indian sub-continent date back to at least the 2nd millennium BC. India has traditionally been primarily religious. The earliest Indian buildings were Hindu and Buddhist temples made of wood and then brick. By the 4th century BC stone carving became popular with temple and monastaries carved in solid rocks. By the 11th century with the extention of Islamic culture brought Muslim architect to India. European clonization and British rule introduced European buildings styles.

Indian Sculpture
Sculpture traditions, forms and styles of the cilivizations of India figures, invariably of abstract human forms, were used to instruct people in the truths of Hinduism, Buddhism and Jainism. Individuality was suppressed in favour of shapes more perfect and dedinitive than anything in the transitory appearance of human models. Indian sculpture dates back to the Indus valley civilization, which prduced small terra-cotta figurines.

Indian art is a rich amalgam of different art forms. Rock cut art, frescoes, regional art, tribal and folk art flourished through the centuries. Under the dominance of various dynasties, these arts gained a different momentum and it is known globally. In the rich cultural background, we get a taste of very old ancient painting styles as well as the contemporary style with a huge shift in their themes and motives.