Description
Book SynopsisAn authoritative visual history of one of the worldâs oldest and most vibrant cultures, drawing on South Asian art and artefacts from prehistory to the present. Arranged chronologically, and abundantly illustrated with expertly selected objects, this superb new overview connects todayâs India with its past. Early chapters uncover prehistoric objects from 1.5 million years ago, examine artefacts from the Indus Civilization, and follow the emergence and transmission of Buddhism, Jainism, Hinduism and Sikhism, as well as the incoming religions of Zoroastrianism, Islam and Christianity. During the medieval era, skills related to temple-building and sculpture-production in stone and bronze developed. From this remote period up to the present day, pilgrimage has been an important part of the spread of social, political and religious ideas. With the rise of the Mughals, the last Muslim dynasty of India, India once more became a leading economic power. The development of a distinct Mugha
Trade Review'A fascinating overview of centuries of cultural change' - BBC History
'I cannot recommend this excellent book more highly. It is sympathetically written, it covers a huge and diverse span of history, and it is a joy to look at' - Chowkidar
'The incredibly wide range of subjects and the fascinating cross-currents they throw up are a delight to discover ... A fine book that weaves together many of the strands that make up one of the world’s most fascinating cultures' - World of Interiors
'Anyone approaching … the material culture of India will find here a succinct introduction to the historical, social or technological milieu in which it belongs. Forms an ideal companion for the collector or curator eager to contextualize material on a very wide canvas' - Journal of the History of Collections
'South Asian history is so complex and layered that making sense of it can take considerable effort. Richard Blurton’s richly illustrated India: A History in Objects emphasizes precisely this complexity and diversity' - Asian Review of Books
Table of ContentsIntroduction
1. Prehistory and early history
2. Early empires and developing religions
3. Dynasties and the rise of devotion
4. Indo-Islamic South Asia
5. Europeans and the British in India
6. Independence and modernity
