Iconography in the Subcontinent

The main focus of this article is on the phenomenology of icons and iconography in the Subcontinent through different historical periods and within different cultures. This main theme has been discussed from the emergence of Bhudda statues to the Mughal royal portraitures; and from Hindu book illustrations to modern iconography of political and spiritual leaders. Iconic, symbolic and indexical significations have been discussed briefly through one or two examples regarding each period and each school; influences by other cultures are highlighted whereas they are fundamental and constructive. On the other hand, this article implicitly indicates principal shifts in foundations of icons and organization of symbols through a historical narrative.