"We also bring the story into the present"
A new exhibition at the British Museum will examine the origins of Hinduism, Buddhism, and Jainism through early India’s sacred art.
Ancient India: Living Traditions will trace the evolution of religious imagery, from symbolic forms to the human representations seen today.
For the first time, the museum will bring together centuries of Hindu, Buddhist, and Jain art.
The exhibition draws from its South Asian collection and includes loans from national, international, and community partners.
Visitors will experience a multi-sensory journey through devotional art.
The exhibition begins with ancient nature spirits and explores themes of community, continuity, and change. It highlights how early religious practices continue to shape daily life for nearly two billion people worldwide.
More than 180 objects will be displayed, including 2,000-year-old sculptures, paintings, drawings, and manuscripts.
The exhibition will also examine the provenance of these artefacts, tracing their journey from creation to museum collections.
Between 200 BC and AD 600, artistic depictions of gods and religious figures changed significantly.
Initially symbolic, they later took on human form with recognisable attributes.
Hindu, Buddhist, and Jain sculptures were often produced in the same workshops, particularly in artistic centres like Mathura.
Great temples and shrines became hubs for pilgrims from Asia and the Mediterranean, spreading these religions and their artistic traditions globally.
A key exhibit is a striking statue of Ganesha. The 1,000-year-old figure retains traces of hot pink pigment, evidence of past worship.
Ganesha symbolises wisdom and new beginnings. His imagery reflects the influence of nature spirits—ancient deities believed to protect or harm people, depending on offerings made to them.
The exhibition will explore these nature spirits’ role in early urban and rural life.
It will also highlight the transformation of the Buddha’s image from abstract symbols to the human form seen today.
In contrast, depictions of Lakshmi have remained largely unchanged for over 2,000 years.
The British Museum’s new exhibition also examines the influence of South Asian, East Asian, and Southeast Asian diaspora communities in the UK.
Multimedia films will showcase how these traditions continue to thrive across the country.
British Museum curators worked with an advisory panel of practising Buddhists, Hindus, and Jains.
Their input shaped the exhibition, from object selection to using eco-friendly, recyclable, and vegan materials for displays.
Sushma Jansari, Tabor Foundation Curator South Asia, said: “It has been both a pleasure and an honour to work closely with our community partners on this vibrant and exciting exhibition.
“The show explores the origins of Hindu, Jain, and Buddhist art in the nature spirits of ancient India, through exceptional sculptures and other works of art.
“We also bring the story into the present: with almost two billion followers of these faiths globally, these sacred images hold deep contemporary relevance and resonance.”
Nicholas Cullinan, Director of the British Museum, said:
“India’s sacred art has had a profound impact on its own cultural landscape and the broader global context.”
“By bringing together centuries of devotional imagery and collaborating closely with our community partners, we not only celebrate the legacy of these faiths but also recognise the ongoing influence of South Asian traditions here in the UK and worldwide.
“This exhibition is a testament to the vibrancy, resilience, and continued relevance of these living traditions.”
Ancient India: Living Traditions runs from May 22 to October 19, 2025, in the Sainsbury Exhibition Gallery at the British Museum.
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