Devi Uma Parameshvari c. 13th century

This bronze sculpture of Devi Uma Parameshvari was anonymously crafted in India. Although we cannot know the exact date it was made, the sculpture is useful for understanding cultural, religious, and social conditions in India at the time. The iconography surrounding Devi Uma Parameshvari is complex, rich, and rooted in the Hindu religion. As Parameshvari, she is the supreme goddess, the ultimate power behind the universe. She represents not just divine power, but also ideal womanhood as the devoted wife. The sculpture’s slender form, the tilt of her head, and the sensuous curves of her body all emphasize her beauty and grace. What interests the historian is what the sculpture tells us about the ways the Hindu religion shaped social life. By studying Hindu religious texts, temple records, and related works of art, we can better understand the social role of the goddess and the expectations placed on women in Indian society. The sculpture is not just an object of religious devotion, but a cultural artifact that embodies and reflects the values of a specific time and place.