South Asia Unit

S O U T H A S I A N A R T 2 6 0 0 B C E - 1 8 5 7 C E

M Y T H R A S A I D I A N

H A R A P PA

M O H E N J O - D A R O

S E A L

Y O G I C P O S T U R E

V E D A S & U PA N I S H A D S1 5 0 0 B C E A R YA N S M I G R A T E F R O M C E N T R A L A S I A

C A S T E S Y S T E M

• Samsara

• Karma

• Moksha

L I O N C A P I TA L

• Buddhism founded by Siddhartha Gautama (563-483 BCE)

• Ashoka- Buddhist Maruya ruler

• First monumental stone sculptures in India

T H E G R E A T S T U PA ( S A N C H I , I N D I A )

F I R S T H U M A N R E P R E S E N TA T I O N O F B U D D H A 1 S T C E N T U R Y C E

G U P TA P E R I O D 3 2 0 - 4 5 0 C E

B U D D H I S M & H I N D U I S M

Dancing Shiva at Badami

Shiva at Elephanta

Vishnu Temple at Deogarh

M E D I E VA L P E R I O D 7 T H - 1 2 T H C E N T U R I E S

D E C L I N E O F B U D D H I S MRajarajeshvara Temple

(Southern)

Vishvanatha Temple (Northern)

Mithuna reliefs

M U G H A L E M P I R E 1 5 2 6 - 1 8 5 7 C E

A K B A R T H E G R E A T

Basawan & Chatar Muni Akbar and the Elephant Hawai from Akbarnama

Akbar from Akbarnama

B I C H I T R

J A H A N G I R , S O N O F A K B A R

P O R T R A I T O F T H E E L E P H A N T ' A L A M G U M A N

J A H A N G I R P R E F E R R I N G A S U F I S H AY K H T O K I N G S

TA J M A H A LB E N E A T H T H E T H R O N E O F G O D

B E L I E F S M A D E V I S I B L E

P H Y S I C A L F O R M S O F H I N D U G O D S

• Multiple extremities

• Facial Expressions

• Body Postures

• Hair

used to symbolize concepts and beliefs

• Hand Gestures (mudras)

• Color

• Vehicles/Mounts

• Attributes

Bestowing Praying

Discussing Teaching

Allaying Meditating

Shiva The Destroyer

Divine Omniscience

Sound of creation

Cyclical nature of time

Control of mind, intellect & ego

Destruction

Vishnu The Preserver

Purity & RenewalOrigin of Existence

Protection of good over evil

Power/Knowledge

• The Four Faces – Four Vedas

• The Four Hands – Mind, Intellect, Ego, Confidence

• The Four Arms- North, South, East, West

• Prayer beads – Creation

• Book – Knowledge

• Gold – Activity

• Swan – Grace

• Crown – Authority

• Lotus – Life, Renewal, Purity

• Beard – Wisdom/Eternity

Brahma The Creator