Introduction to History of Indian Art (Theory)

Paper Code: 
24VHA121
Credits: 
5
Contact Hours: 
75.00
Max. Marks: 
100.00
Objective: 

The course will enable the students to gain deeper understanding of the historical origins of Indian art history and assess the qualities of work of art and architecture in their historical and cultural settings.

Course Outcomes: 

Course

Course Outcomes

Learning and teaching strategies

Assessment Strategies

Course Code

Course Title

24VHA121

Introduction to History of Indian Art (Theory)

CO1:  Develop comprehensive understanding of Prehistoric culture, demonstrating creativity and appraising historical context.

CO2: Discuss aspects of the Indus Valley culture, such as its urban organization, trade networks, religious practices, architecture and sculpture.

CO3: Construct a holistic understanding of the Indus Valley Civilization considering seals, pottery and copper tablets.

CO4: Build knowledge of the political, social, and cultural aspects of Mauryan art history, with an emphasis on art and architecture in particular.

CO5:  Discuss the Sunga-Kanva and Kushan eras, emphasizing stupas, sculptures, bas reliefs and architecture.

CO6:  Contribute effectively in course-specific interaction.

Approach in teaching:

Interactive Lectures, Discussion, Tutorials, Reading assignments, Demonstration of writing and visualizing.

 

Learning activities for the students:

Self-learning assignments, Effective questions, presentation, Giving writing tasks.

Continuous Assessment Test, Semester end examination, Quiz, Solving Problems in Tutorials, Assignments, Presentation, Individual And Group Projects      

COURSE CONTENT:

The course surveys the major landmarks in Indian art history and traces the significant developments in the architectural, sculptural and painting traditions from their early beginnings to the modern period. Selective and significant sites and schools of art and architecture shall be introduced in this course along with the major art movements.

 

15.00
Unit I: 
Introduction to Pre-Historic Period

Paleolithic Art, Mesolithic, Neolithic, Rock Paintings of Mahadeo Hills M.P., Singhanpur and KabraPahar paintings near Raigarh, Mirzapur Paintings of Kaimur Range, Paintings of Manikpur in Banda district. Mori Rock Paintings, Rock Engravings, Copper Culture.

15.00
Unit II: 
Discovery of Indus Valley Culture

Architecture- Harappa and Mohenjodaro (Great Bath, Granary, Dockyard at Lothal), Sculptures- Head of a Priest from Mohejodaro, Torsos from Harappa, Bronze Sculpture- Dancing Girl from Mohenjodaro, Terracotta Female Figurines.

15.00
Unit III: 
Discovery of Indus Valley Culture- Pottery, Seals and Tablets

Pottery- Knobbed Pottery, Perforated Pottery, Miniature Pottery, Incised Pottery, Animal Shaped Pottery etc., and Seals- Pillar on the Unicorn Seals, Animals on Seals, Representation of Mythological Creatures, Copper Tablets.

15.00
Unit IV: 
Origin of Mauryan Art

Mauryan Art under Asoka- Barabar Cave Dwellings, Asokan Pillars, Pillars found upto now: Sarnath, Sanchi, Rampurva, Lauria Nandangarh, Lauria Araraj, Allahabad, Kosam, Nigliva Bakhira, Sankisa etc.

15.00
Unit V: 
Sunga- Kanva Art and Kushan Art at Mathura

Stupas- Early tradition and Symbolism, Stupa Architecture, Stupa of Bharhut in detail: Its sculptures as Human Beings, Animals, Trees and Fruits, Sculptured Scenes in Bas Relief, Objects of Worship. Great Stupa No. I of Sanchi: Its Eastern, Western, Northern, Southern Gateways and Sculptures.

Kushan Art at Mathura as a centre of Art- Art Style and Contents, Stupa Architecture, Padmaravedika, Salabhanjikas, Origin of Buddha Image, Yaksha and Naga Statues, Brahmanical Images.

Essential Readings: 
  1. Vasudeva S. Agrawala, Indian Art
  2. Craven, Roy C, A Concise History Of Indian Art
  3. Susan Huntington, The Art of Ancient India
  4. Stella Kramrisch, Indian Sculpture,
  5. H. Zimmer, The Art of Indian Asia, 2 vols.
  6. G. Yazdani and others, Ajanta, 3 vols.

Suggested Reading:

  1. Stella Kramrisch, A survey of Painting in the Deccan
  2. Ananda K Coomaraswamy – History of Indian and Indonesian Art
  3. R.N. Misra, Outlines of Indian Arts – Architecture, Painting, Sculpture, Dance and Drama
  4. A History of Fine Art In India & Ceylon – Vincent A Smith
  5. The art of ancient India : Buddhist, Hindu, Jain by Huntington, Susan L
  6. The Art Of India Through The Ages Stella Kramrisch by Ishwar Ashram Trust
References: 

E-Resources:

  1. https://archive.org/details/concisehistoryof00crav
  2. https://artincontext.org/indian-art/
  3. https://study.com/academy/lesson/indian-art-history-types-styles.html
  4. https://www.britannica.com/topic/Indus-civilization
  5. https://www.clearias.com/arts-indus-valley-civilization/
  6. https://www.khanacademy.org/humanities/world-history/world-history-beginnings/ancient-india/a/the-indus-river-valley-civilizations
  7. https://prepp.in/news/e-492-indus-valley-art-ancient-india-history-notes
  8. https://www.khanacademy.org/humanities/art-asia/south-asia/x97ec695a:1000-b-c-e-500ce-indo-gangetic-plain/a/the-gupta-period
  9. https://www.worldhistory.org/Gupta_Empire/
  10. https://archive.org/details/TheArtOfIndiaThroughTheAgesStellaKramrisch/page/n79/mode/2up

 

Academic Year: 
2024-2025
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