Although the violin is not native to the Indian subcontinent; it has become so popular that it must be mentioned. There appears to be no difference in construction between the Indian violin and its Western counterpart, however the technique is quite different. The most refined technique is to be found in South Indian music. Instead of holding the instrument under the chin, the musician props it between the shoulder and the foot. This gives a stability which cannot be matched by either north Indian nor occidental techniques. North Indian technique, though not nearly as refined, is still impressive.
The use of the violin in Indian classical music is not ancient. Although the presence of the violin could be felt from the early days of the British Raj, it appears to have only become popular in the early part of the 20th century. (Rosenthal, 1928).