History

We studied Art & Architecture from the following historical periods and regions in pre-modern South Asia:

Part I

ca. 2600-1900 BCE, Indus Valley Civilization | Harappa; Mohenjodaro | prehistoric; before decipherable writing
ca. 322-187 BCE, Maurya Dynasty | India & Pakistan | Emperor Ashoka; first examples of decipherable writing
ca. 100 BCE-200 CE, Satavahana Dynasty | Karle (modern state of Maharashtra)
ca. 30-375 CE, Kushan Dynasty | Gandhara (modern Pakistan) & Mathura (modern Delhi) | Emperor Kanishka
ca. 250-500 CE, Vakataka Dynasty | Ajanta (modern state of Maharashtra)
ca. 320-550 CE, Gupta Dynasty | North India, Pataliputra (modern state of Bihar) | Chandragupta II (ca. 375-415)
ca. 550-700 CE, Kalachuri Dynasty | Elephanta (Mahishmati; modern Mumbai/Maharastra) | Krishnaraja
ca. 733-982 CE, Rastrakuta Dynasty | Ellora (modern state of Maharashtra) | Krishna I
ca. 550-897 CE, Pallava Dynasty | Mamallapuram (South India, modern state of Tamil Nadu) | Narasimhavarman II (aka Rajasimha, ca. 695-722)

Part II

ca. 850-1279 CE, Chola Dynasty | Kanchipuram, Tanjavur, Cidambaram (South India, modern state of Tamil Nadu) | Rajaraja I ca. 985-1014)
1206-1286 CE, Delhi Sultanate Phase I: Mamluk Dynasty | North India | Qutb al-Din Aybek, founder, 1206-10; expansion by son Ilutmish, ca. 1210-36
1286-1413 CE, Delhi Sultanate Phase II: Khalji and Tughluk Dynasties | Major pan-Indian expansion by Muhammad ibn Tughluk, 1325-51
1414-1526 CE, Delhi Sultanate Phase III: Sayyid and Lodhi Dynasties | North India
1526-1858 CE, Mughal Dynasty | Emperor Humayun, 1530-56 | Emperor Akbar, 1556-1605 | Emperor Jahangir, 1605-27 | Emperor Shah Jahan, 1628-58