Chaturanga Set Distinctively Visual

Asian art, although very different over the centuries, continues to represent the area’s rapidly changing culture and the world the artists are living in. “Chess Set” how do you note a piece of art?, an original Chaturanga set displayed at the Norton Simon Museum, is an interactive art piece carved from ivory and wood in the 19th century. Chaturanga is now known as chess and is a popular game played in modern society. Pieces are strategically moved in hopes of eliminating the king, therefore winning the game. This concept is also seen in war strategy; you eliminate the king, you win the war. The pass-time, or game, Chaturanga showcases the prevalence of war in 19th century India.
War was pervasive during the time that “Chess Set” was made.
“Chess Set” includes ivory figurines depicting various roles served during war. There are four components of an Indian army, according to the Norton Simon Museum: the infantry, elephant brigade, cavalry, and chariots. The infantry is represented through the standing men ahead of the rest of the figures. The soldiers are on foot with little to no protection from the opponent. Having the infantry in the front, only armed with merely a spear and small shield, demonstrates that these soldiers are the most disposable and are not of high rank. The elephant brigade are the on the outermost position of the backline. These soldiers, wielding more advanced weapons and bigger shields, have a tactical advantage over the foot soldiers as they are riding large elephants making them more mobile. Next to them are the cavalry, or horsemen, who also have superior swords and protection and also have the leverage of riding a horse. The chariots, or camel brigade, are closest to the Ministers and King. They also are riding a camel and have exceptional weaponry and armor. The representation of these brigades and cavalry, with their preferable offensive and defensive tools and the agile animals they ride, exhibits how they are greater valued than the infantry. In the middle of all of these soldiers are the King and Ministers. They are both riding lavishly decorated elephants. The Ministers are riding in a basket like seat on a regular sized elephant while the King is placed inside a canopy on a larger elephant symbolic of his dominance over the Ministers. The King and Ministers are tucked behind the multiple lines of defense increasing their chances of survival highlighting the conscientious effort to protect those of higher