To whom it may concern-II

The Imperial British sought to prove superiority over their colonised Indian subjects by ridiculing or ignoring the country's rich artistic legacy. The Indus Valley civilisation (5000-2500 BC) showcased sophisticated urban planning, but the colonisers refused to acknowledge its advancements. Similarly, the intricate Buddhist iconography (1st Century AD), born out of rigorous experimentation and supported by religious inquiry, was disregarded. Illustrated Jain manuscripts (11th-century Pala painting) and the stone carvings that adorned Hindu temples were deemed grotesque.

Mughal art was dismissed for lacking mathematical precision and was relegated to mere craft. Other art forms, such as jewelry, metalwork and embroidery, which were the highlight of Muslim material culture in Medieval India, suffered a similar fate. After the independence, this mindset persisted as we blindly chased Western modern aesthetics, still managing to achieve many milestones and made lasting impacts. However, the rapidly changing times have altered the scope of........

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