Indian life is shaped by geographic factors. In fact, the monsoon climate governs its life cycle so that the transformation of nature is a determinant of the aesthetic and religious artwork. Despite its geographic isolation, India suffered numerous invasions from the Neolithic period, which formed a mosaic of cultures. The first Aboriginal settlements dating between 3000-2000 BC and occur during the Neolithic. Around 1500 B.C. start the invasions of the Indo-European tribes from the northwest, that rage in the Indus Valley civilization. Shortly thereafter, and until 600 BC, the Vedic period includes the first major racial crossing between Aboriginal and the Aryan invaders. At the end of this period come the four Vedas, sacred texts. In the Brahmanic period, between 600-300 B.C. are two great epics, the Mahabharata and the Ramayana. In the sixth century B.C. time of spiritual crisis of the East, there are two main characters: Buddha and Mahavira. They founded two new religions, Buddhism and Jainism, which aim to solve the problems of evil and human suffering through the truth and meditation. In the year 260 B.C. Maurya emperor Ashoka converted to Buddhism and, with it, all over India. II-I centuries B.C. are dominated by Shunga and Andhra dynasties, which will add another invading people-the "Kushana" - which dominates India to the third century AD In the year 320 A.D. Chandragupta expelled the invaders Kushanas and establishes a new dynasty. It is thus the Gupta Empire. With his death, in 490 A.D. start a process towards Hinduism. Reappears while based on ancestral worship Brahmanism, with a mythology summarized in the Mahabharata and the Ramayana. Classical Culture in the epoch Postgupta gupta (VI-VIII centuries AD) that serves as a transition to the Hindu revival. Along with this latest evolution, there is the parallel development of other art forms: Art indomusulmán. In the eighth century A.D. come the first Umayyad Arabia, two centuries later, the Turkish-Islamic warriors invaded India and established (XIV-XV AD) independent sultanate in the north. The Mongolian India, founded by Babur in 1526, is one of the richest cultures in the nation. While this evolution occurs internally, the Indian art extends its influence through trade routes through Southeast Asia: Ceylon, Cambodia, Thailand, Burma and Java. Finally, European colonialism set from 1,600 dc a British India, with the establishment of trading posts. In the early twentieth century, with the figure of the spiritual leader Mahatma Gandhi (1869-1948), begins the struggle for independence, achieved on August 15, 1947.
Neolithic
The first settlers, bold race were pygmy hunters who, together with other peoples, incorporated agriculture. Later, after successive waves of Central Asian and Armenian, Dravidian ethnicity was secured, the prototype of India. Between 2500 and 1500 B.C. develops, contemporaneously with Mesopotamia and Egypt, the Indus Valley civilization, which extended its influence over 1000 kms. deposits with a hundred cities. In Mohen-jo Daro and Harappa have found numerous commercial seals, votive terracotta and ceramic bell used as household items. More important are the numerous representations of the Goddess-Mother, reflecting a matriarchal society that worshiped fertility.
The first settlers, bold race were pygmy hunters who, together with other peoples, incorporated agriculture. Later, after successive waves of Central Asian and Armenian, Dravidian ethnicity was secured, the prototype of India. Between 2500 and 1500 B.C. develops, contemporaneously with Mesopotamia and Egypt, the Indus Valley civilization, which extended its influence over 1000 kms. deposits with a hundred cities. In Mohen-jo Daro and Harappa have found numerous commercial seals, votive terracotta and ceramic bell used as household items. More important are the numerous representations of the Goddess-Mother, reflecting a matriarchal society that worshiped fertility.
Commercial Stamps
Indus Valley (3000-2000 BC)
The Indus Valley civilization maintained trade relations with its closest neighbors, like the inhabitants of Mesopotamia. Such exchange is reflected in seals made of steatite, copper strips between 2 and 9 cm in length, which are structured with figures of animals and more than 200 characters that show a complex pictographic writing system.
Indus Valley (3000-2000 BC)
The Indus Valley civilization maintained trade relations with its closest neighbors, like the inhabitants of Mesopotamia. Such exchange is reflected in seals made of steatite, copper strips between 2 and 9 cm in length, which are structured with figures of animals and more than 200 characters that show a complex pictographic writing system.
Mauryan Empire
In 322 B.C. a prince of the dynasty of the Ganges, Chandragupta expelled the Greeks and is the first and only Indian empire, the Maurya. The period of greatest glory is that of Ashoka (272-232 BC). His conversion to Buddhism creates a whole symbolic and heraldic language is reflected in the production of a strictly Buddhist art. And two architectural novelties arise: the stupas and stambas. These latter are surmounted by a capital, most notably the Capital of Sarnath.
In 322 B.C. a prince of the dynasty of the Ganges, Chandragupta expelled the Greeks and is the first and only Indian empire, the Maurya. The period of greatest glory is that of Ashoka (272-232 BC). His conversion to Buddhism creates a whole symbolic and heraldic language is reflected in the production of a strictly Buddhist art. And two architectural novelties arise: the stupas and stambas. These latter are surmounted by a capital, most notably the Capital of Sarnath.
Capital of Sarnath Maurya Empire (250 BC)
Chunar sandstone made in measuring 2 m. in height. Iconography represents the Hinayana, which prevents the embodiment of Buddha. The four lions symbolize faced Buddha preaching his moral underfoot are four chakras (or wheels) that represent the sacred Law. They alternate with four animals (a cow zebu, an elephant, a lion and a horse) that are responsible for bringing the voice of Buddha. Below is a cord monastic austerity emblem, and a closed lotus inverted, symbol of purity and universality.
Chunar sandstone made in measuring 2 m. in height. Iconography represents the Hinayana, which prevents the embodiment of Buddha. The four lions symbolize faced Buddha preaching his moral underfoot are four chakras (or wheels) that represent the sacred Law. They alternate with four animals (a cow zebu, an elephant, a lion and a horse) that are responsible for bringing the voice of Buddha. Below is a cord monastic austerity emblem, and a closed lotus inverted, symbol of purity and universality.
The Kushana
The Kushana are protomongol hometowns. Being displaced by the Huns, entered India in the year 50 BC came into contact with the Greeks, Persians, Scythians, Parthians and the Chinese of the Han Empire (second century BC) During this period Buddhism takes an expansionist and universal character. In the fifth Buddhist council, chaired by Kanishka, creates a whole new language: "Mahayana" (Great Vehicle), which offers salvation of man. In the art that council allow the anthropomorphic representation of Buddha and cult images as "bodhisattvas" capable of attracting the fervor of other barbarians. The new Mahayana Buddhism developed in three schools: Gandhara, Mathura and later Andhra.
Gandhara school
Style is characterized by a Buddhist motifs Hellenizing spreads throughout the Indus Valley, even the "Silk Road". Repeat the multiple attributes of the Buddha, as seen in the lakshana of Buddha, and of holy men, like the bodhisattva from Gandhara. They differ in various postures of the Buddha: "somapada" (upright posture for the deity) as the Gandhara Buddha, "abhängen" (posture lesser gods, in slight flexion) and "vibhanga" (goddesses and yakshis posture, in three flexion).
Gandhara Bodhisattva Kushana Art (150-300 A.D.)
The Bodhisattva is a saint who renounces nirvana peace and prefers to live with men. Presents the qualities of Buddha, as a bridge between the divine and human. The popular fervor introduce realistic elements, as shown in the necklaces and clothing. Princes are usually images like this, carrying a small bottle with liquid which protects the sufrimiemto.
Gupta Empire
In the year 320 A.D. after the victory against the Kushana, Gupta dynasty is established. India reached during the centuries following its peak, for which alternate wars and alliances with neighboring kingdoms. Gupta fashion prevails in Southeast Asia. Flourishes mainly centers as important as Sanchi, Sarnath, Ajanta, Aihole. There is a socio-cultural revolution that affects all levels: the monarchs become intellectuals, raising a spectacular development of literature and the sciences, especially mathematics (set to the exact value of pi) and astronomy. The Buddhist religion accepts others, like Hindu. It discusses the sacred texts of the Vedic period, the Taylor-like Vastu-Shastra (treaties of Architecture) and Silpa Sartre (treated in Sculpture and Painting), applied to new art.
In the year 320 A.D. after the victory against the Kushana, Gupta dynasty is established. India reached during the centuries following its peak, for which alternate wars and alliances with neighboring kingdoms. Gupta fashion prevails in Southeast Asia. Flourishes mainly centers as important as Sanchi, Sarnath, Ajanta, Aihole. There is a socio-cultural revolution that affects all levels: the monarchs become intellectuals, raising a spectacular development of literature and the sciences, especially mathematics (set to the exact value of pi) and astronomy. The Buddhist religion accepts others, like Hindu. It discusses the sacred texts of the Vedic period, the Taylor-like Vastu-Shastra (treaties of Architecture) and Silpa Sartre (treated in Sculpture and Painting), applied to new art.
Painting
In the caves of Ajanta in western India, are the oldest pictorial murals. The technique they use is very peculiar: on the wall is a layer of earth based estiércol.Después applies a resin layer and, finally, one more to balance the surface. The paint covers the entire cave and its location is fulfilled in the words of Buddha, so we can find flower mandalas, coffered ceilings and scenes from the life Buddha and bodhisattvas in the walls. His reading is done from left to right according to Chanda, compositional rhythm where the characters are grouped on stage with a view as seen in the Jataka Mahayanaka wall. The theme is mainly Buddhist bodhisattva as Papmapani, or princely.
Bodhisattva Papmapani Art Gupta (around 550 A.D.)
This is one of the masterpieces of Indian painting. So princely dress with tiara and lace, holding the lotus of the highest purity. Appears to the viewer as an image of "Valley of Tears Liberation." The artist, inspired by the Silpa-Sastra, record sinuous lines with punch and then apply lapis, creating a sexless expression, which is a link between the human and the divine.
This is one of the masterpieces of Indian painting. So princely dress with tiara and lace, holding the lotus of the highest purity. Appears to the viewer as an image of "Valley of Tears Liberation." The artist, inspired by the Silpa-Sastra, record sinuous lines with punch and then apply lapis, creating a sexless expression, which is a link between the human and the divine.
