From the exuberant carvings of Hindu temples to the elegant symmetry of the Taj Mahal, from the luminous wall-paintings of Ajanta to the vibrant images of illustrated manuscripts, the Indian subcontinent offers an amazing visual feast. In this comprehensive survey Vidya Dehejia, a leading authority on Indian art, explains and analyses not only such key early developments as the great cities of the Indus civilization, the serene Buddha image, the intriguing art of cave sites and sophisticated temple-building traditions, but also the luxury of the Mughal court, the palaces and pavilions of Rajasthan, the churches of Portuguese Goa, art in the British Raj, and issues taking art into the twenty-first century.

Using a contextual approach, the book considers the meaning of the word 'art' in the Indian cultural milieu, the relationship between art and the subcontinent's religious traditions, the status of artists and the impact of trade and travel on artistic development. The only full and up-to-date history of the subcontinent's artistic heritage, this is an essential introduction for the student, traveller and general reader.