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Indian sub-continent from the earliest times has been an attractive destination for traders, travellers and pilgrims alike. These travellers often left a description of what they observed here. Such authoritative accounts are often used to reconstruct the ancient and medieval Indian history.  Some of the most famous among them came from China and parts of Arabia. While the Arab travellers were curious about India’s riches and its distinct cultural traditions, the Chinese travellers were more motivated by their religious zeal.  Factors underlining the significance of accounts by Chinese and Arab travellers  •These accounts provided an outsider’s perspective to the contemporary issues. Thus, Fa Hien’s account of life in the 5th century Gupta empire was devoid of any biases.  •Such accounts were taken by the travellers to their home countries, which enabled a better understanding about India, and consequently establishment of better diplomatic relations.  •Accounts...

The art and heritage of a nation is a prized possession which needs to be preserved, protected and promoted. It assumes much greater significance for a vast country like India with diverse mixture of traditions and cultures.  Following factors underline the need to preserve our art and heritage :  •It gives the people a sense of history. Manuscripts and monuments have been relied on to understand the political, economic and social aspects of earlier times.  •It highlights the concept of ‘unity in diversity’ by showcasing the harmonious co-existence of different cultures and traditions.  •It is seen as a symbol of national identity. For instance the Lion Capital of Ashoka at Sarnath was adopted as the official emblem. Invoking national symbols can also instill a sense of oneness, as was done during the freedom struggle.  •In this era of rampant industrialization, the art and culture heritage can show the way towards a symbiotic relationship between development an...

Gandhara school of art was the epitome of Cultural Revolution in present day’s west Pakistan and east Afghanistan during Kushana’s rule, of which Gandhara sculpture was an important part, which depicts sculpture of Buddha.  Geographical location of Gandhara art facilitated interaction of various artistic components:  • Geographical position of the region was at the crossroads of cultural exchange, which resulted into interaction of artistic components.  • This area witnessed the advent of number of foreign powers and political configuration ranging from the Greek, Bactrian to Kushanas. Thus, Gandhara style was amalgam of Hellenistic-Roman, Iranian and indigenous art.  The central Asian and Greco-Bactrian elements in the Gandhara art:  Greek Influence  • It can be observed in the form of Buddha’s wavy hair, draperies covering both shoulders, footwear, Buddha shown under the protection of Greek God Herakles standing with his club and so on. In fact, the very ...