Indian culture stretches back to at least the third millennium BC when a sophisticated mercantile center flourished at Mohenjo-daro. Artifacts found at the site suggest that many of the beliefs and artistic forms maintained throughout Indian history were already in place at that early date. For example, several images found on this seal are included in the iconography of the Hindu deity Siva.

This early civilization was subsequently overrun by the Aryans who introduced the Vedic religion, which featured gods who personified aspects of nature and introduced the concept of a cycle of death and rebirth which is central to most Indian religions. This figure combines Agni, a Vedic god of fire who was incorporated into the Hindu pantheon with mythical serpent gods known as nagas.

The early development of religious art in India follows the growth of Buddhism. Early Buddhist art was limited to architecture and symbolic representations of the Buddha--an empty throne or a footprint. However, under the influence of Mahayana Buddhism which deified the Buddha, a new form emerged in which Buddha was portrayed as human and provided with an interesting pantheon of bodhisattva.