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Singh, Mrichhakatikam by Shudraka and Men and women were fond of jewellery from the
Panchatantra by Vishnu Sharma are important of very beginning. A number of pieces of jewellery
them. The Ashtadhyayi by Panini and Arthashastra have been excavated from even old Harappan
by Chanakya are fine works of literature on sites. With the passage of time, Indian craftsmen
grammar and polity respectively. had attained expertise in designing jewellery and
it was in great demand by even other countries.
Tamil flourished in South India. We can find the
early Tamil literature in the Sangam literature. It is We find a number of monuments and buildings
an important source of history dealing with which prove that architecture was at its best in the
different aspects of life—social, ancient times. We find a number of temples,
religious, economic and stupas, monasteries and other monuments
administrative. Other important belonging to the ancient period. The Buddhist
pieces of Tamil literature are temple at Gaya, the stupa at Sanchi, the temples at
two epics— Silppadikaram and Deogarh and Kanpur, the
Manimekai and a poem by Lingaraja Temple at
Thiruvalluvar, a great poet. Thiruvalluvar Bhubaneswar, the Mahadeva
Temple at Khajuraho and
Just Think! many other temples in South
India are the living proofs of
Which script was one of the earliest known writing the marvellous ancient
systems developed in India? architecture. Sanchi Stupa
Patronage of Literature by Rulers Activity
It has been a matter of great satisfaction that the Mark the sites of a few historical monuments of
rulers in all parts of India patronised literature. India on the map of India.
Many of them were men of letters themselves. The Iron Pillar at Mehrauli (Delhi) is an evidence
They gave grants and assistance to poets, writers of the height of metal work in the ancient times.
and scholars in different fields. This pillar has not taken rust even after all these
centuries. The brass images too substantiate this
ART AND ARCHITECTURE statement.
Ancient India flourished in different art forms— A fine woodwork was in vogue in ancient times.
painting, sculpture, architecture, jewellery, metal The people used to get their doors and windows
work, woodwork and engineering. carved in different patterns. Many tools and
showpieces too were made from wood.
The paintings in the Ajanta and Ellora caves leave
the visitors spellbound by their beauty and finery. The ancient Harappan sites of Mohenjodaro and
Harappan are sites of excellent engineering skills.
A large number of images and other inscriptions
have been found which belonged to the ancient The pillars, inscriptions and buildings tell a tall
period. These are the living proof of the height tale of fine engineering methods. It is a wonder to
transport inscribed pillars thousands of miles away
that sculpture attained in those early times.
without causing any damage to them. Moreover,
these pillars have retained their polish which was
done hundreds of years ago.
Info Bits
Info Bits
Frescos of Ajanta caves are masterpieces of wall
paintings representing scenes from the life of
Buddha.
Ajanta caves Ellora caves
Culture and Science
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