Different types of rock originated on earth after numerous geological activities. These rocks with their different compositions came to be called stones like Redstone, Soapstone, Sandstone, Limestone, Marble, Granite and many others. The Indian land mass is also made up of various types of rocks and the stone obtained here has been used to make forts, palaces, temples, sculptures, household items and various other purposes. In India, stone-making traditions have their roots in prehistoric times, as weapons and other tools were made of stone at that time. A more professional approach to stone craft occurred in the 7th century BCE. During this time, various guilds of stone carvers and masons existed in India. During the Mauryan rule, stone craftsmanship reached its perfection. Several rock stupas, rock-cut caves, and Buddhist chaityas were erected during this period. In India, all kinds of stone sculptures and structures used to be made according to the Shilpshastra, an ancient Hindu treatise on sculpture and architecture.

Region wise study of stonework in India

In India, there are some regions that are specifically rich in stone culture. A classical culture of stone crafts prevails there. Depending on the type of stone found and the tools used, the style and finish have been different and unique.

Orissa stone carving practices:

Stone carving is one of the main handicrafts in Orissa. Various archaeological monuments, rock-cut sculptures, carvings, and magnificent temples attest to the claim.
All of these have been intricately and very finely carved out of stone by the skilled hands of artisans. The temples at Puri, Konark, Lingaraj, Parasurameshwar and Mukteshwar are simply marvels crafted in stone. While the stupas erected at Lalitagiri, Ratnagiri and Udaygiri are simply quintessential. The art of stone working reached its apogee in the ancient and early medieval period in Orissa with a detailed exploration of each and every nuance of stone craft. This art has automatically passed on to the current generation from their previous generations. The current breed is not far behind its predecessors in creating exact replicas of ancient masterpieces. Similarly, small sculptures are also made in large numbers to meet the high demand from visitors and locals.

Rajasthan stone carving practices

Rajasthan has though scarcity of timber and forests but has abundant stone minerals. The landmass of Rajasthan is rich in different rocks like granite, marble, quartzite, slate, and other metamorphic rocks. The forts and palaces of Bharatpur, Baroli, Ramgarh, Nagda, Ajmer, Chittor, Mandsore, Jaisalmer, Bikaner and Udaipur have been built with these stones. The jaaliwork or latticework from Ajmer, Udaipur, Jodhpur and Bikaner is of excellent quality and intricate finish. Rajasthan has the most important marble quarries at Makrana. The marble quarried here is heavily used in the world famous stone sculpture of the Taj Mahal, as well as the stone wonder, the Dilwara Jain Temple on Mount Abu. The art in the Dilwara Jain temple is exquisite, fine, intricate and simply mesmerizing. Different places in Rajasthan are famous for the different types of stones that are found. Kota is the center of production of gray stone used in the manufacture of floors. Similarly, Barmer and Ajmer are famous for Yellowstone and granite respectively. Beautiful statues of deities are made using the soft stone quarried from Dungarpur. Jaipur is the place where sculptures of all kinds are made in white marble. Deity statues carved in Rajasthan are shipped to all areas of the country.

Stone Art Practices from Uttar Pradesh

Mathura, Varanasi and Agra are the famous centers of stone crafts in Uttar Pradesh. Some pieces of stone sculptures have been found from the excavations in Mathura and other adjacent areas belonging to the Maurya period. The interesting thing is that the stone extensively used in these sculptures is the red sandstone extracted from the Chunar. It indicates that this land used to be the center of stone carving art some thousands of years ago. During the medieval period under the Mughal rule, several beautiful palaces and forts were built mainly with the help of stone. Some fascinating examples of Uttar Pradesh stone carvings are: Agra Red Fort, Taj Mahal, Fatehpur Sikri Palace, Akbar’s Tomb at Sikandara and many more.

In current times, the focus of stone artisans is shifting towards exploring new types of stone, as well as new items to craft. Today they make stone sculptures that beautify the home or gift items such as candle holders, ashtrays, jewelry boxes and Taj replicas. Carved pillars, railings and chimneys are the architectural objects being made by artisans.
Rupbas near Agra and Karauli are the quarries that have produced the red stone used in the forts and palaces of Agra, Delhi and Fatehpur Sikri.

In Varanasi the stone used is not hard marble but soft stone called Gorara. This is the stone that is brought from the Hamirpur and Mahoba areas. This stone has a unique quality to change its colors when polished. Bowls and serving plates are the popular products made from gorara stones. The Sonia and Kalimohal areas of Varanasi and the Gokulpura area of ​​Agra are the centers of major stone craft activities in UP.

South Indian Stone Art Practices

In South India, the Hoyasalas temple architecture at Halebid and Belur is the most exquisite and splendid example of stone craftsmanship. The 57 foot tall stone statue of Jain saint Gomateshwara at Shrabanbelgola is another example of wonderful stone art. Similarly, the ruins of the Vijayanagara Empire at Hampi in Bellary are also displays of the glorious Indian tradition of stone crafts.

Other classic examples of stone crafts in the southern part of India are: Meenakshi Madurai Temple and its 1000 pillared mandaps, Chidambaram Temple with beautiful panels depicting 108 karanas of the Natya Shastra, Kanchipuram which houses a number of temples from the it was from Pallawas to Nayaks. and granite carvings at Mamallapuram and Chingalpet. Kailash temple in Ellora caves is the monolithic structure whose craftsmanship is unique and amazingly beautiful.