INTRODUCTION TO HISTORY OF INDIAN ART (Theory)

Paper Code: 
25VAS(C)121
Credits: 
2
Contact Hours: 
30.00
Max. Marks: 
100.00
Objective: 

The course will enable the students to gain appreciation and understanding of historical, socio political, technical and mythological aspects of Indian art history from Shunga Kanva to Chola period.

Course Outcomes: 

Course

Learning Outcome

(at course level)

Learning and teaching strategies

Assessment Strategies 

Course Code

Course Code

25VAS(C)121

Introduction to History of Indian art

(Theory)

CO1:  Validate mythological and contextual analysis, their technique and symbolism of Buddhist art built by Sunga and Kanva.

CO2: Reflect on the differences in styles of Gandhar and Mathura with respect to their geographical, cultural and technical contexts.

CO3: Trace the beginning of Brahamanical iconography, temple architectures and sculptures to the classical rules they pertain to. Develop an understanding of their structural and material approach as well.

CO4: Construct a deep analysis of India’s classical rock cut architectures. Reflect on their style, technique and iconography from the mythology attached to them.

CO5: Evaluate and Justify the socio-political impact, iconography, and techniques of South Indian Bronzes.

CO6: Contribute effectively in course-specific interaction.

Approach in teaching:

Interactive Lectures, Discussion, Tutorials, Reading assignments

Learning activities for the students:

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

Continuous

Assessment

Test, Semester end exammation, Quiz, Solving

Problems in Tutorials, Assignments, Presentation, Individual

And Group

Projects.

 

6.00
Unit I: 
Sunga- Kanva Art

Early tradition and Symbolism of 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: Gateways and Sculptures.

6.00
Unit II: 
Kushan Art

Kushan Art at Mathura- Style and Contents, Origin of Buddha Images, Brahamanical Images - Yaksha and Naga Statues, Kushan Art at Gandhara art: Distinct type of Buddha images along with Buddhist iconography possessing Graeco-Roman and Iraninan influence. Bodhisattvas, Kuber, Panchika and Hariti, Hellenistic motifs and subjects.

 

 
6.00
Unit III: 
Gupta Period

The Golden age of art in India, Architecture and Sculptural Ornamentation of Sanchi temple no. 17, The Parvati Devi temple at Nachna Kuthara, the temple of Bhitaragaon, the Vishnu temple at Tigawa, the Shiva temple at Bhumara and the Dasavatara temple at Deogarh

Iconography of Varaha :Adivaraha or Nar varaha- Nar- Varaha from Udaigiri cave 5, zoomorphic form of Eran Varaha

Evaluation and Iconography of Mukhalinga, Ekmukha Shiva Linga, 5th Century AD, Khoh, M.P.,National Museum, Delhi, Linga with Brahma, Vishnu, Mahesh, and Surya, 6th Century AD, Uttar Predesh, National Museum, Delhi.

Terracotta from Ahichhatra and Mirpurkhas.

 

 
6.00
Unit IV: 
Indian cave architecture and their sculptures

Indian cave architecture and their sculptures: Ajanta, Ellora, and Elephanta.

 
6.00
Unit V: 
South Indian Bronzes

Method of casting (solid and hollow); Study of South Indian Bronzes; Types of Bronze

South Indian Bronzes- Chola, Pallava and Nayaka Periods:

Shiva Nataraj (Thanjavur Distt., Tamilnadu) Chola period (12th Century A.D.)(Collection: National Museum, New Delhi), Krishna (Tamilnadu) Chola period (12th Century A.D.)(Collection: National Museum, New Delhi) Devi (Uma) Chola Period (11th Century A.D.) (Collection: National Museum, New Delhi), Dancing Ganesa (Karnataka 16th Century) (Collection: LOS Angles CCU Museum of ART, Calfornia), Kubera, Varuna (Karnataka C.1050) (Collection: LOS Angles CCU Museum of ART, Calfornia), Siva Nataraja, Tamil Nadu, India, C.950, South Indian Bronzes- LOS Angles CCU Museum of ART, Calfornia

Important south Indian Temples: Konark Temple, Khajuraho Temple, Meenakshi Temple.

 
Essential Readings: 
  1. Vasudeva S. Agrawala, Indian Art, Publications Division
  2. Stella Kramrisch, Indian Sculpture, Archeological Survey of India
  3. H. Zimmer, The Art of Indian Asia, 2 vols., Motilal Banarsidass Publishers
  4. G. Yazdani and others, Ajanta, 3 vols, Archeological Survey of India 
  5. Susan Huntington, The Art of Ancient India, Motilal Banarsidass
  6. R.N. Misra, Outlines of Indian Arts – Architecture, Painting, Sculpture, Dance and Drama, Aryan Books International
  7. Arputha Rani Sengupta, Buddhist Art and Culture – Symbols and Significance, Agam Kala Prakashan

Suggested Readings: 

  1. S. K. Bhattacharya, The Story of Indian Art, Atma Ram
  2. Ananda K Coomaraswamy, History of Indian and Indonesian Art, Dover Publications Inc.
  3. Vincent A Smith, A History of Fine Art in India & Ceylon, Clarendon Press: Oxford.
  4. Fine arts journal (JSTOR) 
  5. Visual Studies
  6. Journal of Visual Culture
  7. Sculpture Journal.
References: 
  1. https://www.360cities.net/image/ajanta-caves-aurangabad-india
  2. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E23s8MmSjuQ
  3. https://kevinstandagephotography.wordpress.com/2020/10/22/national-museu...
  4. https://indianculture.gov.in/stories/temples-khajuraho
  5. https://www.khanacademy.org/humanities/artasia/southasia/x97ec695a:1500-...
Academic Year: 
2025-2026
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