A short peep into the history of Indian art will lead one to a treasure house of stupendous architectural works, outstanding sculptures and mesmerising paintings. Being connoisseurs of art, the Indian emperors did their utmost to promote artistry. The aesthetic value of Indian art cannot be summed in words; one needs to catch a glimpse of those magnificent pieces of art. Whilst art in India is demonstrated in any and every form, its history can be categorised into ancient, medieval and modern.

Ancient Indian art comprises the copper and terracotta statues from Indus valley civilisation to the mammoth and grand temple architecture of the ancient south Indian kingdoms. In fact the legacy of art in India can be traced back to the prehistoric rock paintings, the kind of which can be seen in the Bhimbetaka paintings. Thereafter a highly developed architecture was perceived with the dramatic discovery of four thousand years old cities of Harappa and Mohenjodaro. This great urban civilisation was called the Indus valley civilisation. Though the buildings in the cities of this civilisation had an urban touch, it was the sculpture and the statuettes that exhibit the craftsmanship of the era. Some of the discoveries are a small male torso in limestone found in Harappa and the copper figurine of a dancing girl found in Mohenjo-daro and the seals. These are amongst the several notable pieces of sculptures that have been brought to light in the Indus valley excavations. The decline of the Harappan culture was mainly due to the coming of the Aryans. The Aryans imposed their philosophical and social ideals on India and were inevitably absorbed into the Indian population and the main stream of Indian civilisation. The culture of India was a mixture of Aryan and Dravidian elements. The architecture of this time includes huts of square and round shape as well as tower like structure.

Ancient Indian art also witnessed the emergence of religious art forms. For instance, under the reign of the Mauryas Buddhist art gained prominence. The Buddhists chaityas and stupas are the prime architecture of this time. The end of the Mauryan period was marked by the commencing of the Sunga Empire. The sculpture of the Sunga Period consists in large part of the decoration of the stone railings and gateways that now surround the Buddhist stupa or relic mound. Most prominent in the decoration of the railing are the carvings of yakshas and yakshis on the uprights. Buddhist religious art also had huge impacts on the Gupta and Kushana empires. Often referred to as the Golden Age the Gupta period witnessed the construction of the Buddhist caves: Ajanta, Ellora and Elephanta. The Kushana Empire, on the other hand, showered its patronage on the Mathura and Gandhara schools of art and architecture.

Down south, the picture was quite different. The ancient empires like Cholas and the Cheras contributed in the growth of temple architecture and sculpture. Hindu art received a new idiom under the patronage of such kingdoms. The gigantic rock cut temples stand tall even today to narrate the tales of the religion, society and the then contemporary craftsmanship as well. The fresco paintings are the hallmark of the Chola period. The ruins of Hampi in Vijayanagara kingdom also demonstrate the religious overtures.

As art moved on to the medieval period the legacy of the South Indian art continued with the Hoysalas, Palas, Pratiharas, Chalukyas, Rashtrakutas and the Pallavas. The Delhi Sultanate, however, brought with them new styles which bore similarity with the existing Indian art forms, for example both the temples and mosques had open courtyard. This similarity helped them to adapt to one another. The new architectural ideas of the Sultanates were the domes and pointed arch. The period of Delhi Sultanate was a time of great experimentation in terms of art and architecture. Thereafter north India was invaded by the Mughals who brought with them their own tradition and culture. The Mughal art was influenced by and was the amalgamation of Indian and Persian art forms. Mughal paintings reached its height of glory during the reign of Shah Jahan. The city of Fatehpur Sikri and the Taj Mahal are among the architectural marvels of this period.

The modern period of Indian art commenced with the coming of the British. The British colonial rule had a great influence in the art forms of India. Art movements like Modernism gained impetus in the Indian scenario. The buildings reflected the Gothic, Imperial, Christian, English Renaissance and Victorian styles of art and architecture. Whilst India primarily witnessed constructions by the British regime but the contribution of the French and the Dutch cannot go unnoticed. Places like, Goa and Puducherry are dotted with colonial buildings.

While the colonial architecture gaining momentum, India was gearing up to fight for her independence. In the wake of nationalism, Indian art endeavoured to return to the roots. Thus the scenario in the field of art was metamorphosised once again. Art forms like paintings portrayed social issues instead of indulging in religion or romance. Art gradually became a medium to express the then contemporary circumstances. Besides these, art in modern India was also breaking away from its past. Artists were not running to myths and legends for inspiration. While some were experimenting with Cubism, others were resorting to expressionism and other art forms. Artists like Rabindranath Tagore, Gaganendranath Tagore and Jamini Roy revived art in modern India. The latter found his muse in the folk traditions of India.

With passing time, Indian art was influenced by the art movements that took place throughout the world. Contemporary India, thus, comprises an art that has essentially evolved from the impacts of globalization. Indian art, today, is an amalgamation of various styles and themes.

The history of Indian art, thus, demonstrates a gradual evolution of the art forms. Whilst religious influences cannot be overlooked, the influence of foreign kingdoms and social changes contributed equally in shaping art in India. Whether it was the themes, the materials or the mediums of expression, Indian art had developed considerably. The gargantuan history of India traces the simultaneous development of art in the subcontinent as well.