Indian monuments that time forgot
Take our quiz on forgotten, sidelined or destroyed monuments and acquaint yourself with an unseen India.
Madhya Pradesh
Man & material: The lasting genius of Jangarh Singh Shyam
From the yellow clay of his village to the rOtring pen discovered during a trip abroad, Jangarh approached each medium with curiosity and courage
Quiz: How well do you know the ancient caves of India?
In ancient India, cave complexes sheltered travellers and traders too besides priests and monks. Take our quiz to learn about these rock-cut rest-stops
Untitled
This untitled Bhil painting is by contemporary artist Lado Bai (b. 1954) depicting flora, fauna and a human figure. For the Bhil tribe of Madhya Pradesh, art is a device for marking events, preserving memories and capturing the community’s deep connection with nature. The fundamental theme of Lado Bai’s artwork is the symbiotic relationships between… Read more »
How to draw a tree like Sukhnandi Vyam
A member of the Gond-Pardhan community, Sukhnandi Vyam considers his art as an expression of the tribe’s identity and spiritual connection with nature
Untitled (Gond painting)
The Untitled Gond-Pardhan painting is an acrylic on canvas work, made by artist Rajendra Kumar Shyam. The artist paints a streak of tigers, seemingly running around in a loop. Two tigers appear to be adults, while the others look like cubs- one could presume that the artist has painted a family. Tigers are a common… Read more »
Hoshang Shah’s Tomb (Jama Masjid), Mandu
The photograph documents the north eastern profile of the structure known as the Tomb of Hoshang Shah, a powerful Pathan Sultan ruling the Kingdom of Malwa. A commanding structure in the 16th century, the tomb is seen here in a ruinous condition. The photo is mistakenly identified as the Jama Masjid of Mandoo because the… Read more »
Forgotten City of Joy
In a collaboration between Sarmaya and India Lost & Found, we admire the fading beauty of Mandu, home to the delicate Malwa style of architecture
Age of the Empires
The thrill of serendipity, the awakening of the imagination, the inevitability of being devoured heart and soul by a world you didn’t even know existed until this moment. In a way, being a student of history is like being an astronomer. Especially if the subject of study is an ancient or forgotten kingdom. Click to… Read more »
Jahaz Mahal, Mandoo
This photograph documents a close up of the facade of the Jahaz Mahal or the ‘Ship Palace’ at Mandoo (Mandu) in Madhya Pradesh. The main entrance to the fortress called the Delhi Darwaza leads directly to the Jahaz Mahal. The exact dates on which the palace was constructed are unknown, but historians attribute it to… Read more »
Empire of Faith: Into the realm of the Buddha & the Mauryas
Most Indians are familiar with the great emperors and exploits of the Mauryan empire. But until a few hundred years ago, their legacies lay buried in ruins, their faith forgotten by time. This is the story of a remarkable resurrection
Northern Gate of Sanchi Stupa
This photograph is of the Sanchi Stupa, which is one of the oldest and finest examples of Buddhist architecture synchronizing with the rise and fall of Buddhism in India. It was taken in 1882 by Lala Deen Dayal. The Sanchi Stupa is one of the oldest and finest example of the architecture of the Shunga… Read more »
Untitled
The Bhils are one of the oldest tribal communities of India, residing in western and central Indian states such as Gujarat, Rajasthan, and Madhya Pradesh. Like that of every other tribal community, the Bhil lifestyle is intricately connected with flora and fauna – as is clearly evident in the art they create. Bhil artists create… Read more »
Untitled (Horse Cart)
The Bhils are one of the oldest tribal communities of India, residing in western and central Indian states such as Gujarat, Rajasthan, and Madhya Pradesh. Like that of every other tribal community, the Bhil lifestyle is intricately connected with flora and fauna – as is clearly evident in the art they create. Bhil artists create… Read more »
Painted photograph of Udaji Rao II Pawar, Maharaja of Dhar State and his wife Lakshmi Bai
This painted portrait is identified as Udaji Rao Pawar, Maharaja of Dhar and his wife Lakshmibai. It was created in 1933. Although black and white photography rose in popularity and acquired a mark in the late 19th and early 20th centuries, Indian aristocrats sought to go a bit further to fully enjoy the medium. They… Read more »
Details on the top of the Northern Gate of Sanchi Stupa
The Sanchi Stupa is one of the oldest and finest example of the architecture of the Shunga era. It consists of a large hemispherical dome, which was built over another stupa that dated back to the 3rd century BC and was built by the Emperor Ashoka Maurya. The stupa was later extended around the 1st… Read more »
Unidentified group of women, Central India
This photograph of a group of unidentified women from central India was taken by PA Herzog and P Higgins. Herzog and Higgins were two Englishmen who worked in Central India. Herzog presumably learned the art of photography in Jabalpur from John Blees, who produced an instructional manual on the subject. Both Herzog and Higgins worked… Read more »
Shah Jahan, Silver Nisar Coin of Burhanpur Mint
Nisar coins are named for their main purpose, ie scattering into the crowd by royalty. They were deployed for occasions that demanded ceremonial generosity, like at investitures, weddings or grand entrances. These coins were particularly lightweight. In addition to the regular gold, silver and copper coins, Shah Jahan released unique silver Nisar coins to present… Read more »
Jungle Book
With each canvas, Durgabai Vyam takes us deeper into the forest of childlike fantasies
First of Her Tribe
The incredible story of how one woman went from laying bricks at an art centre to becoming one of its most celebrated artists