PABLO PICCASO [1881-1973] Spain

1903-1905  Blue Period [sad]
1905-1906  Rosck Period [glade]
1906  Qubism
                                             
''Ladies Of Avignon'' [1907] oil paint in canvas.

MOHANJADARO and HARAPA [3250-2750 BC]

                                      
vally of Sindu  at Pakistan.accomadations of Dravidians
       [ who belived tamils living in south INDIA]

ANCIENT GREEK STATUES 2500-1400 BC

                                                     
 TEMPLE OF PAARTHEENAN 

Sanji Thubi -central INDIA


SAANJI - Hight 54 feet
Jathaka Stories and Statues
                                                               KING  ASOKA
THE BUDDIST CENTRE  Period of ASOKA  -to 11th cen.AC

old one rupees

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one-rupee note

Bhimbetka rock old painting

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                                      Bhimbetka rock painting, Madhya Pradesh, India.
Analysis of mtDNA dates the immigration of Homo sapiens to South Asia to 70,000 to 50,000 years ago. An analysis of Y chromosome haplogroups found one man in a village west of Madurai to be a direct descendant of these migrators. These populations spread further to Southeast Asia, reaching Australia by 40,000 years ago. Cave sites in Sri Lanka have yielded the earliest record of modern Homo sapiens in South Asia. They were dated to 34,000 years ago. (Kennedy 2000: 180). For finds from the Belan in southern Uttar Pradesh radio carbon data have indicated an age of 18-17kya. Palaeolithic rock art is also well-known.
At the Rock Shelters of Bhimbetka humans lived throughout the Upper Paleolithic (10th to 8th millennia BC), revealing cave paintings dating to ca. 7000 BC; the Sivaliks and the Potwar (Pakistan) region also exhibit many vertebrate fossil remains and paleolithic tools. Chert, jasper and quartzite were often used by humans during this period.

old Coin of Portuguese 1882

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Coin of Portuguese India, one rupia of 1882.

1/2 anna old coin of Gwalior

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1/2 anna coin of Gwalior, Indian princely state, 1942

Akbar old coins

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Moghul empire - Akbar - coin of Gobindpur mint



Chandragupta II old coins

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Coins of Chandragupta II

Samudragupta old coins

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Coin of Samudragupta with Garuda pillar

old coins

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Cast bronze ½ karshapana coin of the Sunga period (2nd-1st century BC)

old coins

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elephant and the sun on Mauryan coins.



old coins

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 Varaha Vishnu Avatar Pratihara Kings850-900 old coins

Mughal Empire 1526–1857


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A dagger from the Mughal Empire with hilt in jade, gold, rubies and emeralds. Blade of Damascene_steel inlaid with gold


A panorama in 12 folds showing the procession of the last Mughal Emperor Bahadur Shah II to celebrate the feast of the Eid ul-Fitr in 1843.


The Mughal Emperor Shah Alam II negotiates territorial changes with a representative of the British East India Company after the Battle of Buxar.


  
Mir Sayyid Ali, writing a commentary on the Quran, during the reign of the Mughal Emperor Shah Jahan.



 
 A silver coin made during the reign of the Mughal Emperor Alamgir II.



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 Mughal troopers purchase copper utensils in the Bazaar


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Mughal, Ottoman and Safavid architectural concepts were incorporated into the design of the Taj Mahal



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 A Mughal War elephant guarding the gateway to the Grand Mosque in Mathura.



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 The Bazaar outside the Wazir Khan Mosque in Lahore.




Old And Rare Dollar Bills

 
Old And Rare Dollar Bills

Maijishan Grottoes




                               Maijishan Grottoes in China
                                                   History

The Maijishan Grottoes  a series of 194 caves cut in the side of the hill of Majishan in Tianshui, Gansu Province, northwest China. This example of rock cut architecture contains over 7,200 Buddhist sculptures and over 1,000 square meters of murals. Construction began in the Later Qin era (384-417 CE).
Maijishan Mountain is placed on the first list of state key scenic spots by its peculiar grottoes, exquisite clay sculptures luxuriant vegetation, all kinds geologies and landforms, mountain peaks. Its main area is 142km2 including Maijishan Grottoes, the Immortal Cliff, the Stone Gate, Quxi Stream and Jieting Hot Spring. Maijishan Grottoes was first built in Later Qin (384-417.D) constructed successively during the 12 dynasties which are West Qin, Northern Wei, West Wei, Northern Zhou, Sui, Tang, Five Dynasty, Song, Yuan, Ming and Qing. Although many earthquakes and conflagration, it still remains 194 caves, 7200 sculpture, 1000 square M fresco which are excatived on the cliff about 30-80m high form the ground, more than 70 percent caves were excavated in the North dynasty. When clay sculpture were popular, well-shaped and excellent art, They reach the climax of sculpture works in early period. Qinling chains in scenic area are the main boundary between North and South nature geography. There are two plant areas, China-Japan, China-Himalayas areas. They include much kind of plants of North China, Central China, and Himalayas.
Menxinduo Higher plant 223 genera, 873 categories, 2738 species, of which bryophyte plant has 53 genera, 98 categories, 138 species, pteridophyte 21 genera, 43 categories, 92 species, angiosperm 141 genera, 712 categories, 2456 species, gymnosperm 8 genera, 20 categories, 48 species. Preserving Xyophyta 20 species including metase quoia, kinkgo, white bark pine etc. the rare key protected plant listed by state has 31 species, (1 level 1 species, 2 level 7 species, 3 level 23 species), forestation coverage reaches 76% wild animal, birds 12 classes, 34 genera, 95 species, beast 6 classes, 18 genera, 29 species, the rare animals protected by state, 6 classes.7 genera, 18 species.
The scenic spots lies in the joint of QiLian-North Qinlin chains. It forms very complicated geologies and landforms due to movement in Yinzi, Yanshan, and Himalayas. Hot Spring and Quxi Stream is metamorphic rock. Maiji Mountain, the lmmortal clitt, is purple red sandstone rock, while the Stone Gate granite. They have different geology and landform in small area, the abundant forest and flower, the stream and waterfall compose of over 180 scenic spots. They show landscape abundance and variety. The reason of protuberant globular valve: The grottoes kept its fine sculpture of 12 feudal dynasties. It possesses large-scale sculpture museum with 1600 years. It provides precious material studding sculpture, painting, arts and crafts, architecture and religion such as Buddhism. The constructed cave in North Wei (408-534A.D) play an important role for its long history in China even in the world, well preserved well shaped, lively figure. There are biggest palace--shaped building in northern dynasties of Chinese grottoes in these 21 grottoes.
Bulding in wall--painting, skill methods and completed methods are both the best important and valuable works. This abundant building material in northern dynasties is the most precious and important illustration in studying grottoes' nationalism, ancient construction, and freseo. There are about 2738 higher vegetation in the scenic spot, of which 60 genus the 3rd Age xylophta 20 genera, the rare vegetation 31 and 18 genera rare animal protected by State. There is such abundant biology in warm temperature Zone of 34 N latitude; its varieties have typical significance. Maijishan Plant is accepted as member by IUCN. Spectacular Maiji peak, exquisite clay carving temple building under cliff, peculiar landform, about plant clear stream and waterfall combine naturally made up a harmonious landscape of mankind and nature.
 

Winter Palace






Winter Palace, St. Petersburg, Russia
History
From the 1760s onwards the Winter Palace was the main residence of the Russian Tsars. Magnificently located on the bank of the Neva River, this Baroque-style palace is perhaps St. Petersburg’s most impressive attraction. Many visitors also know it as the main building of the Hermitage Museum. The green-and-white three-storey palace is a marvel of Baroque architecture and boasts 1,786 doors, 1,945 windows and 1,057 elegantly and lavishly decorated halls and rooms, many of which are open to the public.
The Winter Palace was built between 1754 and 1762 for Empress Elizabeth, the daughter of Peter the Great. Unfortunately, Elizabeth died before the palace’s completion and only Catherine the Great and her successors were able to enjoy the sumptuous interiors of Elizabeth’s home. Many of the palace’s impressive interiors have been remodeled since then, particularly after 1837, when a huge fire destroyed most of the building. Today the Winter Palace, together with four more buildings arranged side by side along the river embankment, houses the extensive collections of the Hermitage. The Hermitage Museum is the largest art gallery in Russia and is among the largest and most respected art museums in the world.
The museum was founded in 1764 when Catherine the Great purchased a collection of 255 paintings from the German city of Berlin. Today, the Hermitage boasts over 2.7 million exhibits and displays a diverse range of art and artifacts from all over the world and from throughout history (from Ancient Egypt to the early 20th century Europe). The Hermitage’s collections include works by Leonardo da Vinci, Michelangelo, Raphael and Titian, a unique collection of Rembrandts and Rubens, many French Impressionist works by Renoir, Cezanne, Manet, Monet and Pissarro, numerous canvasses by Van Gogh, Matisse, Gaugin and several sculptures by Rodin. The collection is both enormous and diverse and is an essential stop for all those interested in art and history. The experts say that if you were to spend a minute looking at each exhibit on display in the Hermitage, you would need 11 years before you’d seen them all. However, we recommend you opt for a guided tour instead!
 
 

Buddha Statue in Leshan




                               Buddha Statue leshan in china
                                                                             
                                                             History
   The Leshan Giant Buddha (simplified Chinese: Lesha-n Dafo) was built during the Tang Dynasty (618–907AD). It is carved out of a cliff face that lies at the confluence of the Minjiang, Dadu and Qingyi rivers in the southern part of Sichuan province in China, near the city of Leshan. The stone sculpture faces Mount Emei, with the rivers flowing below his feet. It is the largest carved stone Buddha in the world and it is by far the tallest pre-modern statue in the world. The Mount Emei Scenic Area, including Leshan Giant Buddha Scenic Area has been listed

Pazhassiraja Museum



 
Pazhassiraja Museum Calicut, Kerala
History
Pazhassiraja Museum is beautifully nestled among the picturesque locations of the district of Calicut (Kozhikode) in Kerala. Calicut city has become an ultimate destination for the historians and aficionados of art and literature. Kerala has lured the visitors and traders from lands far off from time immemorial. Similar was the case of the Portuguese traveler, who set sails towards India and reached India in 1498 - the name of that sailor was Vasco Da Gama. An art gallery is located in the vicinity of the museum. The gallery exhibits a number of paintings of Kerala's respected artists, including the Raja Ravi Varma and Raja Raja Varma, who were the connoisseurs of painting and other performing arts. Their paintings, which are preserved artifacts, tell the tales from the past that were not included in any scripture, the lore of then modern culture. They also depict the tradition and bounties from the wars and successions over the neighboring rulers by the ruler of Kozhikode. Everything is enlisted in visual history of Kerala, which is summarized into a few oil paintings of these masters.

Pazhassiraja Museum is maintained and preserved by the State Archaeology Department of Kerala. The museum showcases a number of stunning works of art. The ancient coins preserved here can be a delight to look at. Apart from this, the museum also secures traditional bronze sculptures and utensils, umbrella stones, miniature models of temples which are crafted out of plaster of Paris and similar megalithic structures.


There is an interesting story behind the christening of Pazhassiraja Museum. The museum and the art gallery both are named after the great Pazhassiraja of the Padinjare Kovilakom, of the Kottayam regal kin. The much popular 'Pazhassi Revolt', which took place during the British epoch against the British East India Company, was captained by Pazhassiraja. Popularly termed as the Lion of Kerala, Pazhassiraja is the one who is recognized for introducing guerilla warfare in the hills of Wayanad, to resist the British colonialism. The museum seems to be living entity breathing on the cultural heritage, as it assimilates in itself a number of artifacts and items which are a part of Kerala's intellectual heritage. Not just the artifacts but the architecture of the place itself depict the traditional Keralite architecture and hence are preserved as a part of Kerala's cultural heritage

Napier Museum






 
Napier Museum and Art GalleryThiruvananthapuram, Kerala

                           History


Napier Museum and Art Gallery is a part of the Napier Museum campus, which is situated in the middle of Trivandrum (Thiruvananthapuram), Kerala. One should at not miss the tour of this museum, to get a feel of the authentic cultural heritage of ‘The God's Own Country’. Named after the former Governor General of Madras, Sir John Napier, the Napier Museum was constructed in the 19th century. The museum was constructed in the Indo-Saracenic style. The Napier museum is an abode of a number of different exotic and rare assortments of archaeological and historic relics, ancient ornaments, bronze idols, ivory carvings. One can also find a chariot, which has been designed beautifully with a number of tribal arts.

Napier Museum & Art Gallery also boasts of maintaining an ergonomically designed naturally cooled compound, which is designed according to the principles of physics and architecture. Hence, it saves a lot of fuel and electricity. The use of plastic has been banned inside the premises of the museum, which is another thing that makes the Museum premises eco-friendly. The Napier Museum complex stores a number of artifacts, which exemplify the prosperous cultural heritage of Kerala. The museum itself is a wonderful piece of architecture, with its picturesque green surroundings.


Napier Museum is popularly known as the Government Art Museum. It will be quite interesting to note that the museum’s building is a rare amalgamation of the Kerala, Mughal, Chinese and Italian architectural styles. The Sree Chitra Art Gallery inside the Napier museum features a rare collection of paintings by Raja Ravi Varma, Roerich and some fascinating works from the Rajput, Mughal and Tanjore schools of painting. The museum is also home to an exotic collection of paintings that are native to Japan, China, Bali and Tibet. This collection offers a visual treat and acknowledges the art and culture of these countries. The Museum holds some of the artifacts that clearly exhibit the cultural harmony between Indian and other cultures. These exhibits are the evidence of relation between India and the neighboring countries like China.


Kuthiramalika Museum


                   Kuthiramalika Museum Trivandrum, Kerala

                                                                           History

The Kuthiramalika Museum is popularly known as Kuthira Malika, which literally means a mansion of horses. Located in Trivandrum (Thiruvananthapuram), Kerala, the museum was originally a grand palace constructed by Swathi Thirunal Rama Varma - the great connoisseur of art and literature. The palace is situated in the vicinity of Padmanabhaswamy Temple. The palace museum derives its name from the array of horses, which are carved from the wood placed to support its southern roof.

Kuthiramalika Museum was kept vacant for almost one hundred years, following the demise of Swathi Thirunal in 1846. Kuthiramalika Palace was built by the Travancore kings. The Palace still gives an insight into the Kerala culture and intellect that was contemporary at the time of its construction. A glance at Kuthiramalika Museum will reveal the glory and grandeur of the past of the royal families of Kerala. Kuthira Malika Museum is an abode of the exquisite collections of the Royal Family's remnants.


Kuthira Malika Museum stores a collection of artifacts which include Kathakali mannequins that represent the cultural edifice of Kerala. Belgian mirrors exhibited here represent the trade relations of India during olden times. The crystal chandeliers and paintings displayed here represent the taste in art. One can also find armaments here, which show the marks of military valor of the kings. The museum also exhibits musical instruments, traditional furniture and other artifacts of olden times.


Kuthiramalika Museum also stores artifacts which were actually used by the royal families - the beautifully crafted Ivory cradles of various shapes and sizes are to name a few. The palace museum also stores a couple of thrones - one made up of ivory and the other made up of Bohemian crystal. There is a unique quality in both the thrones, as both of these have a conch mark on the top of the backrest of the throne. The Conch used to be the royal emblem of Travancore. The palace is divided into different rooms, which were used for different purpose.


When it was a palace, Kuthiramalika Museum used to have an audience chamber. This chamber was used to conduct meetings regarding the routine to be followed in the empire. A library and an alcove where also located in the palace. These were used by Swathi Thirunal for meditating. Many of his famous compositions were also conceived here. The museum also stores a famous illusion painting of Sree Chithira Thirunal Balarama Varma which was crafted by the famous painter Svetoslav Roerich. The major thing to notice in this painting is that the face and the shoes of the king appear facing the viewer from every corner of the room.