Indian paintings are vast, diverse and unique, on which we have the evidences since pre-historic time. The Rock Shelters of Bhimbetka is renowned for pre-historic paintings, from which few Stone Age rock paintings found here are approximately 30,000 years old. Apart from this The Cave paintings of Ajanta, Ellora, Sittanavasal and Bagh paintings, reflects to the love of naturalism. Apart from Nature the mostly the early and medieval paintings are influenced by the religion such as Hindu, Buddhist or Jain.  The Persian style of painting started influencing the Western Indian style of painting during the 15th century. The Mughal school of Painting have been considered to be a landmark in the history of painting in Indian subcontinents which was originated in the reign in 1560 A.D. Mughal paintings mainly developed in North India. In North Indian medieval paintings, we can also see the blend of Mughal and Rajput style of paintings. During the 16th to 17th centuries, the Deccan paintings were very popular in south Indian region such as Bijapur, Golconda and Ahmednagar.  

 

Apart from this Rangoli, a freshly made coloured floor design is still a common sight outside the doorstep of the Indian Homes during the festival or occasions mostly in South India. The some renowned category of Indian Art are Madhubani painting, Mysore painting, Rajput painting, Tanjore painting, Mughal painting and Pattachitra. 

 

Madhubani paintings are also known as Mithila painting, which is mostly used in Bihar and Mithila region in Nepal. It is a Hindu paintings for each occasion and festival such as birth, marriage, Holi, Surya Shasti, Upnayan Sanskar etc, which is done with twigs, brushes, nib-pens, matchsticks and fingers. One of the most popular classical paintings of South India, Mysore paintings are well known for its grace, muted colours, and attention to detail. Mostly the theme of Mysore paintings are Hindu gods and goddesses and other mythological character. 

 

Rajput or Rajasthani painting, developed and flourished in the royal courts of Rajputana in India. A number of themes, used on the Rajasthani paintings such as renowned epics events such as the Ramayana and the Mahabharata, the life events’ of lord Krishna, beautiful landscapes, and humans.  Mostly these paintings were used on walls of palaces, inner chambers of the forts and havelis. 

 

Tanjour painting is another renowned classical painting of South India. It is known for its richness, flat and vivid colours, simple iconic images, stunning gold foils overlaid and devotional icons. The theme of paintings are mostly Hindu gods, goddesses, and saints.

 

Mughal paintings is an exclusive blend of Indian, Persian and Islamic styles, evolved and flourished between 16th to 19th century during the rule of the Mughal Emperors Akbar, Jahangir and Shah Jahan. The major themes are such as battles, court scenes, hunting scenes, receptions, legendary stories, wildlife, portraits, etc. 

The history of sculpture in India is dated back to Indus Valley Civilisations (3300–1700 BC), were the various stone and bronze figures including the renowned small bronze female dancer have been discovered. The History of India witnessed development in sculpture during first Indian empire,  Maurya dynasty. During the Mauryan Period, sculptors begin to carve characters and the themes were adopted from mostly Hinduism, Buddhism and to a lesser extent Jainism.  The specific feature of Indian sculpture is basically realistic in nature and the human forms appear in it more closely related with the surrounding apart from this Flora and fauna have also found the ancient sculptures.

 

Later, the Buddhist sculpture art flourished during Kushana period in 1st century AD.  During the period of Kushan dynasty, there were two artistic centres in Northern India and each centres had a distinctive style that was known as Gandhara Art and Mathura Art.  Gandhara art flourished in the region of Peshawar and Taxila and Mathura art was flourished around New Delhi. Gandhara art shows the impact of Greek and Roman sculpture. Mathura art was developed from indigenous Indian traditions, emphasizing rounded bodily forms. Both style of art combined with the local traditions of India to produce Buddhist images. In 4th to 6th centuries, during the Gupta period sculpture reached a very high standard in execution and delicacy in modelling. 

 

South Indian School of sculpture were flourished during the establishment of Hindu kingdoms in this region such as, Cheras, Cholas, Chaulkyas, Pandyas, Nayakas, Pallavas. Some of the renowned sculpture are find at rock-cut temples of Mahabalipuram and the temples of Kanchipuram. These South Indian temples pursue the idioms of Dravidian art and sculpture.  During the period of Muslim dynasty such as Mughal, they introduced an entirely different style of Indian sculpture and architecture that enhanced the beauty of the religious places on which the chajjas, jharokhas, chhatris and others. These styles of Sculpture art in India developed leading to classical Indian art, which were contributed to Hindu and Buddhist sculpture across the Southeast, Central and East Asia.

Indian Architecture has evolved over thousands of years due to results of socio-economic environments, interactions with outside world and invasions. It drastically various throughout the country and is as diverse as the country itself. The first knowledge of architectural buildings dates back to Indus Valley Civilization which developed first morn cities with modern town planning including a fully developed drainage system. With the advent of Buddhism in India marvels like Ajanta, Sanchi Stupas came up which are unique in its kind.

 

With rise of great Hindu Kingdoms in Southern India it developed its unique style which later spread throughout the South-East Asia. The architecture of South India was completely different than that of found in northern India. Rock cut temples of Mahabalipuram, temples of Kanchipuram are prime example of such marvellous architecture. The architecture flourished under the likes of Cholas, Hoyasalas and Vijayanagar rulers which did incredible job to take South Indian architecture to another level.  Northern India on the other hand developed what we know as Nagar Style of Architecture. This is common through most of the temples in North India and can be found in ancient temples. The Muslims conquers brought in their own style which later fused with Indian architecture which later came to be known as Indo-Islamic Architecture. These architecture are divided into two styles namely Delhi Architecture and Mughal Architecture. During this period marvellous buildings like Taj Mahal came up.

 

With coming of European colonists they brought in the colonial architecture which can be seen throughout India.  The architecture was not exactly copy of the architectures as we see in west but fused the element of Indian, Islamic and Western architecture. This is known as Indo-Saracenic architecture the colonial architecture exhibited itself through institutional, civic and utilitarian buildings such as post offices, railway stations, rest houses and government buildings.