Indian Sculpture and Painting, Illustrated by Typical Masterpieces, with an Explanation of their Motives and Ideals c7.42

c7.42

After the death of Aurangzîb anarchy and misrule prevailed over the greater part of India. The images of gold, silver, gilded copper, and bronze—the precious substances in which, according to Hindu and Buddhist ritual, the sacred simulacra were fashioned—would always be tempting booty, and no doubt consigned to the melting-pot, to furnish cash or weapons, whenever the hordes of marauders, Indian and European, which ravaged the country from one end to the other, could lay their hands upon them. In the general insecurity of life and property, neither literary nor artistic culture found any protection or foothold.