Painting

Indian paintinghas a very long history, although the seasonally humid Indian climate was difficult for the long-term preservation of paintings and there are far fewer survivals than of other forms ofIndian art. The earliest Indian paintings were the rock paintings ofpre-historictimes, thepetroglyphsas found in places likeBhimbetka, some of them from before 5500 BC. India'sBuddhistliterature is replete with examples of texts which describe palaces of kings and the aristocratic class embellished with paintings, but the paintings of theAjanta Cavesare the most significant of the few survivals. The paintings at Ajanta are not frescoes as they are painted with the aid of a binding agent, whereas in fresco the paintings are executed while the lime wash is still wet which, thereby acts as an intrinsic binding agent.Smaller scale painting in manuscripts was probably also practised in this period, though the earliest survivals are from the medieval period.Mughal paintingrepresented a fusion of thePersian miniaturewith older Indian traditions, and from the 17th century its style was diffused across Indian princely courts of all religions, each developing a local style.Company paintingswere made for British clients under theBritish raj, which from the 19th century also introducedart schoolsalong Western lines, leading to modern Indian painting, which is increasingly returning to its Indian routes.

Indian paintings provide an aesthetic continuum that extends from the early civilization to the present day. From being essentially religious in purpose in the beginning, Indian painting has evolved over the years to become a fusion of various cultures and traditions.