An authoritative visual history of one of the world's oldest and most vibrant cultures drawing
on South Asian art and artefacts from prehistory to the present. Arranged chronologically and
abundantly illustrated with expertly selected objects this superb new overview connects
today's India with its past. Early chapters uncover prehistoric objects from 1.5 million years
ago examine artefacts from the Indus Civilization and follow the emergence and transmission
of Buddhism Jainism Hinduism and Sikhism as well as the incoming religions of Zoroastrianism
Islam and Christianity. During the medieval era skills related to temple-building and
sculpture-production in stone and bronze developed. From this remote period up to the present
day pilgrimage has been an important part of the spread of social political and religious
ideas. With the rise of the Mughals the last Muslim dynasty of India India once more became a
leading economic power. The development of a distinct Mughal style can be traced in paintings
hardstone carving and metalwork. Following the advent of Europeans in India in the early Mughal
period trade in spices textiles and other luxury goods increased. Later in the 19th century
under British rule much of South Asia became part of a national and international trade
complex that saw Indian goods exported throughout the world. Modernism and political
independence in the 20th century saw the fresh assertion of Indian culture through cinema
dance and music. An extraordinary range of history and culture is presented here from the
splendour of dynastic empires to the rural and tribal life of the subcontinent. This is a
compelling visual history of some of the world's oldest cultures.
