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The present volume provides a thorough and meticulous introduction to India’s sculpture, painting, terracottas, performing arts and architecture. In each case the coverage is extensive, supported by detailed references and should lead to further research and studies. What we would like to emphasize is that the volume does not claim to be even a reasonably exhaustive survey and analysis of the total range of ancient Indian data on art and architecture, but what it has certainly tried to convey is the depth and scale of all such artistic endeavours in the subcontinent. Ancient art occurs all over, from the heights of Ladakh and the jungles of Arunachal to the remote sea-shores of east, west and south India. Even the deserts of Rajasthan have their share of breathtaking temples and sculptures. Some terracottas from the Bengal delta are as sensuous as some Begram ivories from Afghanistan. The chronology of all these art-assemblages varies and even their quantity varies from area to area. The present volume offers a systematic evaluation of all the regional contexts along with the incorporation of new data and explanations in the case of early historic urbanism. This is especially true in the case of Mauryan and Sunga art.