India is the classic example of unity among diversity. Depending on the climatic condition, geographic location etc. India has developed different culture and tradition along with various living patterns. These differences are the reasons for different craftsmanship that is available in the country. As the necessity is the mother of invention, the invention of arts and crafts also happened due to the necessities of the people.

History
The history of Indian craft is as old as the history of India herself. The findings of the excavated sites of the Indus valley civilization show a rich craft tradition as well as a high degree of technical excellence in the field of pottery making, sculpture of metal, stone and terracotta, jewellery, weaving etc. The Indus Valley Civilization was followed by the Vedic age (1500 B.C.), when the Vedas were written. There are numerous references in the Vedas on artisans involved in pottery making, weaving, wood crafting etc. The Rig Veda in particular refers to a variety of pottery made from clay, wood and metal. It also refers to weavers and weaving. Indian craft has got a boost during the time of king Ashoka, who was a great patron of arts and crafts. It is said that during the time of Ashoka 84,000 stupas were built in India, including the world famous Sanchi stupa, which has beautiful stone carving and relief work done on it. Numerous sculptures from Bharhut, Mathura, Amravati, Vaishali, Sanchi etc. show female figures adorned with an array of jewellery, which continues to inspire contemporary jewellery making. The iron pillars of Vaishali (Bihar) and Delhi, created during the time of Emperor Ashoka, are a marvel in the field of metallurgy. The period between 1st century B.C. and 1st century A.D. was a period of political turmoil as a result of foreign invasions from central Asia. The impact of these intrusions can be seen in the Buddhist sculptures from Taxila, Begram, Bamiyan, Swat valley etc. which show a high degree of Greek influence. The depiction of Buddha, having curly hair and wearing draperies, until date is the result of this Greek influence. The sculpture of the Kushan king Kanishka from this period depicting him wearing leather boots and a heavy warm coat amply reflects the influence of the central Asian Culture on Indian craftsmanship. Jewellery, sculpture, textile making, leather products, metal working etc. were the main crafts that inherited these foreign influences and assimilated them in accordance with the Indian milieu