India has always been a welcoming country. We follow "Atithi Devo Bhava" (The guest is God), and this applies to art and culture too. Throughout history, many travelers, rulers, and traders came to India from places like Persia (Iran), Central Asia, and Europe.
They brought their own artistic styles with them. Over time, Indian artists mixed these foreign styles with our local traditions. The result was something new, beautiful, and uniquely Indian.
Here are 5 amazing art forms that came from outside but are now a key part of India’s identity.
1. Blue Pottery (From Persia/Central Asia)
When we think of Jaipur in Rajasthan, we think of beautiful blue and white plates and vases. But interestingly, this art form did not start in India.
- Where it came from: The art of using blue glaze on pottery came from Persia (modern-day Iran) and Turkey. It was brought to India by the Mughals. Later, King Sawai Ram Singh II set up a school of art in Jaipur to teach this craft.
- How it changed: While the technique came from outside, the designs became Indian. Today, Jaipur Blue Pottery uses Indian motifs like flowers, animals, and royal patterns.
- Why we love it: It is the only pottery in the world that does not use clay! It uses quartz stone powder, making it stronger and distinct.
[Image Reference 2: A collection of Blue Pottery items like vases and plates with intricate blue and white floral designs.]
2. Mughal Miniature Painting (From Persia)
Miniature paintings are small, detailed pictures that tell a story. While India had some ancient painting styles, the famous "Miniature" style we know today was heavily influenced by Persian art.
- Where it came from: When Humayun returned to India from exile in Persia, he brought two master artists with him. They taught Indian artists how to use fine brushes and specific colors.
- How it changed: The Persian style focused on fantasy and decoration. Indian artists added realism. They started painting Indian landscapes, Rajput kings, and Hindu gods like Krishna using this foreign technique.
- Why we love it: The details are so fine that artists often used brushes made from a single hair of a squirrel!
[Image Reference 3: A detailed Mughal Miniature painting showing a royal court scene with a King sitting on a throne.]
3. Gandhara Art (From Greece/Rome)
This is a very old art form. If you look at ancient statues of Lord Buddha from the Gandhara region (now in Pakistan/Afghanistan border, historically part of ancient India), they look a bit like Greek gods.
- Where it came from: After Alexander the Great came to this region, Greek and Roman styles of sculpture stayed behind.
- How it changed: The subject was Indian (Buddhism), but the style was Greek. The statues show Buddha wearing a toga (robe) with wavy hair, similar to the Greek God Apollo.
- Why we love it: It is a perfect example of East meeting West thousands of years ago.
[Image Reference 4: A stone statue of Buddha in Gandhara style, showing wavy hair and heavy drapery (folds in the cloth).]
4. Papier-Mache (From Persia)
Kashmir is famous for its colorful boxes, trays, and decorative balls made of paper pulp. This is called Papier-Mache.
- Where it came from: A Kashmiri King, Zain-ul-Abidin, brought experts from Samarkand and Persia in the 15th century to teach this craft to his people. The original Persian name is Kar-e-Kalamdani (pen case work).
- How it changed: The technique remained Persian, but the Kashmiris added their own "Chinar" leaf designs and bright colors which reflect the beauty of the Kashmir valley.
- Why we love it: It turns waste paper into gold-like luxury items. It is light, strong, and very colorful.
5. Pietra Dura / Inlay Work (From Italy and Persia)
Have you seen the beautiful flowers made of colorful stones on the white marble of the Taj Mahal? That is called Pietra Dura (Parchin Kari).
- Where it came from: This is an Italian stone inlay technique that became popular in Europe and then traveled to the Mughal courts.
- How it changed: The Indian artisans mastered this art. Instead of just geometric shapes, they created intricate flowers and creeper plants using semi-precious stones like Lapis Lazuli and Jasper embedded into marble.
- Why we love it: It makes heavy stone buildings look delicate and pretty like a garden.
[Image Reference 5: A close-up photo of the white marble wall of the Taj Mahal showing colorful floral designs inlaid with semi-precious stones.]
Conclusion
Art has no borders. These art forms show that India has always been open to learning new things. We took skills from the Greeks, Persians, and Italians, and we mixed them with our own Indian soul. Today, these arts are not "foreign" anymore—they are proudly Indian!