This book attempts to draw an outline of the evolution of composite animal motifs in ancient Indian art. It shows on what context the idea of carving composite figures appeared into the minds of primitive people and how the conception was gradually developed with the rise of different art schools by giving the composite figures a vital role to play in the succeeding phases of Indian art.

Highlighting that the entire period of early Indian art was dominated by three different animal features, namely horn, wing and fishtail, it discusses at length the early phases of Indian art, including the Harappan, post-Mauryas, Kushanas and the Saka-Satavahanas.