Want to go further? These books, films and online resources are widely recommended starting points for learning about Indian art and crafts.
About this guide. This list is compiled from museum reading lists, reviews and other published recommendations. We may not have read or watched every item in full. We have no commercial link to any of them. How we research our guides.
Books: overviews
- Vidya Dehejia, Indian Art (Phaidon, Art & Ideas). A clear, well-illustrated introduction.
- Partha Mitter, Indian Art (Oxford History of Art). A thoughtful overview with a strong section on modern art.
- Roy C. Craven, Indian Art: A Concise History (Thames & Hudson). A compact survey from the Indus Valley onwards.
- Diana L. Eck, Darśan: Seeing the Divine Image in India. A short book on how sacred images are meant to be seen.
Books: crafts and textiles
- Rosemary Crill (ed.), The Fabric of India (V&A Publishing). The catalogue of a major exhibition on Indian textiles.
- Kamaladevi Chattopadhyay, Handicrafts of India. A classic survey by a leader of the crafts revival.
- Jasleen Dhamija, Indian Folk Arts and Crafts (National Book Trust). An accessible, affordable introduction.
- Stella Kramrisch, Unknown India: Ritual Art in Tribe and Village. A pioneering study of folk and tribal art.
Films and series
- Michael Wood, The Story of India (BBC). A six-part history series with many art and heritage sites.
- Films from the V&A and Met YouTube channels on Indian textiles, painting and sculpture.
Online
- Indian Culture portal, Ministry of Culture: digitised books, art and archives.
- Sahapedia: an open encyclopedia of Indian arts and heritage.
- Google Arts & Culture: online exhibitions from Indian and world museums.
- Museum of Art & Photography (MAP), Bengaluru: collections and talks online.
- Our museum guide lists collections with free online images.
On this site
Start with Start here, read the guide to symbols, and use the glossary as you read our stories.
Last checked: November 2026.