The history of Indian handicrafts is an old saga. There are a myriad of craft traditions in India. The crafts which flourished in India are basically subject to the social, economic and regional factors. The primal references of Indian crafts were found in the remnants of Indus Valley Civilization (3000 B.C.-1700 B.C.).It has also got a technical brilliance in the arena of pottery- making, jewelry, threading, various sculptures like metal, stone and terracotta etc.
Artistic production of crafts, too, proliferated during Mauryan Empire, a landmark in Indian history, starting from 3rd century B.C. The "
Sanchi stupa" is a part of it and has gained worldly fame for its beautiful stone carving and relief work.The golden age of Guptas (AD 320-647) is not only esteemed the classical period in Indian history and that too of history of Indian crafts.The rock cut temples of
Ellora and theAjanta murals are perfect examples of it.
Mughal era was the golden period in the history of craft. The famous Peacock Throne of the Mughals is one of the premium examples of precious stone decorative work and metal craft.Easter states like Assam and West Bengal are far-famed for their exquisite 'Sholapith' and 'Shital Patti' works.
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