Standing Buddha, Polonnaruva period (1070–1200), 11th–12th
century
Sri Lanka
Gilt bronze; H. 23 5/8 in. (60 cm)
The Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York Gift of Enid A. Haupt, 1993
(1993.387.8)
Marco Polo visited different parts of the Indian subcontinent
as part of expeditions ordered by Khubilai Khan and on his
sea voyage homeward. At this time the Delhi Sultanate (1192–1526),
the first Muslim dynasty to control a significant portion
of the subcontinent, controlled northern India. Beginning
in 1206, these Turkic conquerors from Central Asia established
control of most of northern India, maintaining their dominance
until the Mughal invasions at the end of the 14th century.
Although they were unable to subjugate all of India, the last
years of the 13th century and first decade of the 14th (about
the time of Marco’s visit) were marked by Muslim incursions
deep into southern India.
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