Erotic sculpture “Mithuna Lovers” from early Hindu times, museum replica as an art casting

Art on the Indian subcontinent, encompassing the modern-day countries of India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, and Sri Lanka, varies according to region and religion. Indian art is among the most significant forms of world art and is deeply influenced by religion. Its most outstanding achievements include the depiction of profound contemplation as well as sensual joy of life. Four culturally distinct main phases follow one another: in Northwest and North India, the Harappan civilization in the 3rd-2nd centuries BCE; the periods of Indian antiquity to the Middle Ages; the Indo-Islamic periods since the Muslim conquests from the 12th and 13th centuries onward; and the modern era, which ushered in a "Hindu Renaissance" and ultimately led to modernity with its international character. The Harappan civilization (c. 2500-1500 BCE) is the first advanced civilization on Indian soil. During the Vedic period, beginning around 1200 BCE... Around 4000 BCE, following the migration of Aryan tribes, the famous Brahmanical caste system took shape, forming the basis of later Hindu and Buddhist religions in India. Alongside the first iron tools, finely painted ceramics were also found during this period. The Maurya period (4th-2nd centuries BCE) concluded the early phase of state formation, which also saw the emergence of Buddhism. During this time, the first monumental architectural and sculptural works were created, including animal figures of the highest sculptural maturity. In the early Buddhist and early Hindu periods, the art styles of the stupas developed (around 100-75 BCE). Buddhist art styles eschewed the human representation of Buddha, while Hinduism featured deities from the very beginning. In the Satavahana period (2nd-3rd centuries CE), early Hindu and Buddhist image worship reached its full potential. During the Gupta period (320-6th centuries CE), the depiction of Buddha with perfect inner concentration was achieved. Hindu art saw the emergence of depictions of Shiva and Krishna characterized by soft modeling and balanced proportions. During the medieval period (7th-13th centuries), India's shared religious traditions proved to be a culturally unifying foundation. The trinity of gods—Vishnu, Shiva, and Brahma—was a central theme in artistic creation. The Devi and Shaktis, as feminine cosmic forces, held a special position in Tantric art. In Buddhism, the esoteric Tantrayana school developed towards the end of the 1st millennium, with Bodhisattvas and Taras dominating its pantheon. The temple architecture of this period, adorned with richly detailed reliefs, is particularly impressive. Indo-Islamic art developed from the 12th century onward but remained heavily influenced by Indian architects. Under the Mughal dynasty, which founded Babur in 1526, a monumental fortress, palace and garden architecture began, characterized by the use of precious materials (red sandstone, white marble).