Indian artisans made significant contributions to the development of Indian craft after the Gupta dynasty at the onset of the medieval period of Indian history. "Medieval Indian Craft" is the name given to this period in Indian craft history. During this time, India prospered with an abundance of various crafts as many dynasties supplemented Indian culture with various crafts and those crafts steadily became more polished and perfected over time. In this article, we will discuss the Artisans and Master Craftsmen in the medieval period which will be helpful for UPSC exam preparation.

Influence of Dynasties on Medieval Indian Craft

• Each Indian state's craft reflects the impact of various empires.
• A number of powerful kingdoms emerged during the Medieval Indian Craft period, improving the Indian craft.
• The Chola dynasty, which reigned in South India, was one of the most powerful empires in Indian craft.
• Bronze metal's prominence in the Chola period was a continuation of the Andhra style and technology.
• The lost-wax process, which is utilized for Indian bronzes, was one of the Cholas' favourite techniques.
• This was, without a doubt, one of the most outstanding instances of Medieval Indian Craft artistry.
• The Cholas and the Vijayanagar Empire made unparalleled contributions to bronze craft, silk weaving, jewellery, and temple sculpting.
• The huge figure of Shiva-Nataraja in his cosmic dance posture, which not only symbolizes the birth and destruction of the universe but is also considered a visual sermon by followers, was a famous Medieval Indian Craft.
• On hard rock, the Chalukya Empire possessed magnificent examples of the craft.
• This civilization was carried on by following dynasties such as the Rashtrakuta and Pallava dynasties.

Islamic influence on Medieval Indian Craft

• Orientalism arrived in India with the arrival of Muslims.
• Several Muslim conquerors, notably Mahmud of Ghazni, the Tughlaqs, the Sharqis, and the Lodhis, temporarily emerged on the Indian historical stage before the arrival of the Mughals in the 16th century and left their mark on the art of the time.
• Mughal art merged Turko-Mongolic, Persian, European, and Indian traditions in the early 16th century. The medieval Indian workmanship was further enhanced by the fusion of styles.
• In the history of Medieval Indian craft, Akbar's reign was known as the "Golden Age."
• The craft allowed autonomy and was recognised as a distinct art form.
• This period saw the advent of European realism and the blending of Persian decorativeness and Rajasthani vivacity with European style.
• There are numerous examples of marble carvings from this period, which were popularized by the Mughals.
• Mural painting has been reported from royal palaces, royal bedchambers, and mosques under the Sultanate of Delhi. Flowers, leaves, and plants are the most common subjects.
• We find allusions to paintings from the time of Iltutmish (1210-36).
• We have mural paintings, miniature paintings (of painted manuscripts), and paintings on clothes from the time of Alauddin Khalji (1296-1316).
• We notice the Persian and Arabic influences on Indian painting.
• Miniature painting became a major movement in Gujarat and Rajasthan during the 14th and 15th century AD and extended to Central, North, and Eastern India.

Techniques Applied to Medieval Indian Craft

• Inlay work, glass engraving, carpet weaving, brocades, enamelling, and other new methods were introduced to India throughout the medieval era.
• The Mughals' famed Peacock Throne is one of the best examples of gem inlay craftsmanship and metalwork.
• The Mughals encouraged decorated jewellery as well as a variety of other trade techniques. Along with this, attention was dedicated to the promotion and development of the jewel craft.
• As a result, India became a major source of precious stones and elaborate jewellery designs, as well as a major trading centre.
• Bidriware and Meenakari were two of the most highly valued Mughal jewellery crafts. Bidriware is known for its exquisite craftsmanship.
• Bidar's craftspeople were so well-known for their copper and silver inlay work that it was given the name Bidri.
• It is known all over the world for its sleek and silky dark-coloured metal work with elaborate eye-catching motifs on its glossy surface.
• Meenakari craft is a continuation of the art of enamelling or fixing colour by melting in fire, which has been practised in India from ancient times.
• Varanasi, Alwar, Delhi, Multan, Shang, and Kangra were known for their gold enamelling, whereas Bahawalpur, Kashmir, and Kulu were known for their silver enamelling.
• Crafts have been ingrained as a culture and custom in rural areas for ages.
• The medieval period came to an end with the demise of the Mughal monarchy.

Conclusion

Artisans and craftsmen are the backbone of India's non-farm rural economy, engaged in craft production to earn a livelihood. The craftsmen during this era under the Delhi Sultanate period flourished in the field of pottery, weaving, wood carving, metal working, jewellery etc. Bidriware and Meenakari were two of the most highly valued Mughal jewellery crafts. The start of the colonial period signalled the beginning of the modern or contemporary age, which heralded the arrival of Western influences on Indian craft.