Indian Exceptionalism is an attempt to collect and share underappreciated media from Indian history. Especially those pieces of media that we consider to be from significant moments in our shared history. We want to collect media that is not just immediately striking to the eyes, but also leaves behind an impression. We hope to catalogue, contextualize and preserve these images in an accessible digital format.
Eventually we hope to collect more than just images and work towards archiving all forms of media, from audio to video to stories.
No images on this website are compressed in any way. This makes the website slower, but we believe that these images should be viewed completely unaltered and remain free to be downloaded with a simple right click.
The Team
Curator V | Head Curator and Tech
Curator V started this project in 2023, and is currently in charge of developing the technical aspects of the project. They primarily focus on collecting media in their core interests of Indian politics, geopolitics and defense.
Curator A | Social Media
Curator A joined the project early 2024, and currently manages social media and outreach. They are deeply passionate about preserving and archiving early Indian cinema.
Curator R | Curator (Culture) and Legal
Curator R joined the project late 2024, and currently helps by navigating the complicated legal world of licensing and fair use. They primarily focus on collecting media related to Indian art throughout the ages.
Get Involved
We are more than happy to receive help in any form and are eager for more people to get involved. Whether you’d like to get in touch, contribute, highlight an error, or simply say hello, feel free to reach out!
Connect with us on Instagram, Twitter or at contact@indianexceptionalism.com
Image: Stupa 3 – General view Nalanda © American Institute of Indian Studies, Varanasi
