Massive terracotta horses have been built by Tamil villagers in south India for thousands of years. Note expert Stephen Inglis says that these are the most ambitious achievements in clay found in Indian and probably the largest hollow clay sculptures in the world.

The methods used to construct and to fire images nine to fifteen feet or more in height are unique in ceramic history and of unusual interest to clay specialists. They differ dramatically from the images of horses and soldiers recently excavated in China, in that they are larger than life-size and fired in situ. Not only is the size impressive, but the proportions and embellishment are superb. These works are created by a caste of hereditary potter / priests who are products and heirs of an ancient tradition in which clay and religion are inseparably linked.

Yet because the images are built in remote village shrines they have been virtually ignored by scholars. As Inglis observes, "visitors to Tamil Nadu may catch a glimpse of such images from the window of a bus or train yet an interest once aroused is difficult to pursue.