Exploring Medieval Indian Art: From Chalukya to Delhi Sultanate

Chalukya Period

In medieval Indian art, the Chalukya period—roughly from the sixth to the twelfth century CE—is recognized for its contributions to painting and sculpture as well as its great building achievements.

Badami Cave Temples

These are ancient caves carved out of rocks in Badami. They were made by the Early Chalukyas. Inside, you can find sculptures and carvings of Hindu gods like Shiva and Vishnu.

• Cave 1: Inside, you can see a sculpture of Lord Shiva as Nataraja, dancing.
• Cave 2: Inside this cave, there are carvings of Vishnu in various forms, like Varaha (boar) and Trivikrama (giant).
• Cave 3: It has carvings of various deities, including the holy trinity of Brahma, Vishnu, and Shiva.
• Cave 4: Inside, you’ll find carvings of various Hindu gods and goddesses, along with scenes from Hindu mythology.

Aihole Inscriptions

In Aihole, there are some old writings carved on rocks called inscriptions.

• These inscriptions are in different scripts, like Sanskrit and Kannada.
• They talk about Jainism and give us a peek into the lives of people back then.
• They also tell us about the rulers and their achievements.

Pattadakal Temples

Pattadakal is a place where there are lots of temples, and they’re super famous. They were built during the Later Chalukya period. The biggest one there is called the Virupaksha Temple. These temples are massive and have super detailed carvings of gods and goddesses all over them. They’re a great example of ancient Indian architecture and art.

Pallava Period

The Pallava period was from the 6th to 9th centuries AD, mainly in the regions around Kanchipuram and Mahabalipuram in South India.

Cave Architecture

Pallavas carved magnificent rock-cut caves for worship and residence. Famous examples include the Mahabalipuram caves, such as the famous Shore Temple and the Mandapas (cave temples) at Mahabalipuram.

Introduction of Structural Temples

Pallavas introduced structural temple architecture with distinct features like pyramidal vimanas (towers). A notable example is located in Kanchipuram, dedicated to Lord Shiva. It showcases early Dravidian architectural elements.

Mahabalipuram

Known for its rock-cut monuments and temples, including the famous Shore Temple dedicated to Lord Shiva.

Five Rathas

Situated in Mahabalipuram, the Five Rathas are monolithic rock-cut temples. Each ratha (chariot) is carved from a single rock, resembling different styles of temple architecture.

• Dharmaraja Ratha: Dravidian style.
• Bhima Ratha: Square-shaped, resembling a Buddhist vihara.
• Arjuna Ratha: Rectangular shape with a tall tower.
• Nakula Sahadeva Ratha: Smallest, resembling a simple hut.
• Draupadi Ratha: Octagonal in shape, dedicated to Goddess Durga.

Mughal Miniature Paintings

Mughal miniature paintings were small, detailed artworks created by Mughal artists during the Mughal Empire in India, primarily from the 16th to the 19th centuries. They often depicted scenes from courtly life, historical events, literature, and religion. Here’s a simple breakdown of the themes and techniques of Mughal miniature paintings with examples:

Themes

• Courtly Life: Many Mughal miniatures showed scenes from the royal palace, with princes, emperors, and nobles taking part in a variety of activities like dining, hunting, and listening to music. The lavish lifestyle of the Mughal royalty was largely revealed through these paintings. Ex: “A Sufi Shaikh was chosen by Emperor Jahangir over kings.”
• Historical Events: Important events in history like wars, victories, or celebrations were frequently portrayed in Mughal miniatures. The victories and accomplishments of the Mughal Empire were shown in these paintings. Ex: “The Conquest of Kandahar.”
• Literature: Mughal painters illustrated parts from well-known epics, tales, and poems by drawing inspiration from Persian and Indian literature. These paintings frequently included mythological, romantic, and heroic themes.
• Religion: Although being a Muslim state, the Mughal miniatures included subjects from Hindu mythology, showing India’s diverse cultural heritage. Hindu and Muslim deities, mythology, and prayers were depicted in these artworks. Ex: Krishna and Radha.

Techniques

• Attention to Detail: Mughal artists were well known for their great attention to detail, which they used to create beautiful patterns, textures, and decoration using delicate brushes and colors. Even the smallest details, such as jewelry or fabric patterns, were beautifully shown.
• Vivid Colors: The vivid color palette of Mughal miniatures was created by the painters through the use of natural pigments taken from plants, insects, and minerals. Vibrant colors like red, blue, green, and gold were frequently used to bring out the paintings’ brilliance and richness.
• Fine Lines and Hatching: The tiny lines and hatching that defined features and gave an overall texture were characteristics of Mughal miniatures. The painters’ skill with line work is visible in these exact lines, which were created with delicate brushes and pens.

Buddhist Miniature Paintings

Buddhist miniature paintings, which frequently show Buddhas, bodhisattvas, gods, and scenes from Buddhist texts and stories, are rich in symbolism and iconography. Every figure and symbol has a particular meaning related to the teachings and beliefs of Buddhism.

Usually, these artworks have a rich and symbolic color scheme. A careful selection of colors is made to symbolize many facets of Buddhist doctrine and the spiritual world. For instance, the color blue indicates knowledge and purity, whereas the color gold signifies enlightenment and the presence of God.

Buddhist miniature paintings stand out by their exacting compositions, which place the characters in relation to the importance of the narrative and order. Scenes are frequently arranged in a systematic way to illustrate how a story develops or how spiritual ideas develop.

Buddhist miniatures are incredibly detailed despite their small size. Highly skilled brushwork and precise techniques are used by the painters to produce beautiful designs, patterns, and textures. The compositions are enhanced visually by elaborate decoration that includes heavenly symbols, lotus petals, and floral themes.

Buddhist miniature paintings prioritize spiritual meaning above realistic portrayal by using a stylized or symbolic approach to balance and proportion. Flattened or stylized figures may be used to emphasize spiritual value over physical reality.

Buddhist miniatures were traditionally made on a variety of surfaces, such as cotton, paper, or palm leaves, using mineral colors. Natural colors made from plants, minerals, and precious stones were used to create the artworks, which added to their endurance and brightness.

In some Buddhist miniature paintings, especially those from Tibetan and Himalayan regions, textual elements in the form of sacred scripts and mantras may be incorporated into the composition. Calligraphic elements are often rendered with precision and elegance, adding to the visual appeal and spiritual potency of the artwork.

Khajuraho Temples

During the Delhi Sultanate period in India, which lasted from the 13th to the 16th century, a unique Islamic-inspired painting style developed. These paintings, which were mostly used to decorate manuscripts, stood out by their vibrant colours, fine details, and emphasis on calligraphy and geometric patterns. Although surviving examples are rare, and they frequently feature scenes from Persian literature, scenes from courtly life, and religious subjects. This art style, which combined inspirations from India, Central Asia, and Persia, was made possible by the support of sultans and royalty. The painting traditions of the Delhi Sultanate, however dominated by the later Mughal and Rajput periods, mark a significant turning point in the development of Indian miniature art.