Mauryans

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The Art during Mauryan, Shunga, Kushana and Gupta Periods

The Mauryas

● The Mauryan period is an important period in the history of Indian art and architecture. The foundation of
Indian art was laid, which later reached their height during the golden age of The Guptas.
● Ashoka, the founder of Mauryan dynasty was the grandson of Emperor Chandragupta who ruled during
the 3rd century B.C. During his region the Mauryan Empire reached at its peak.
● Ashoka experienced a change of heart after the dreadful battle of Kalinga. He adopted Buddhism and
decided to spread the Buddha’s teachings of peace.
● Some of the finest example of Mauryan art is the famous Ashoka pillars. These pillars are marvels of art,
architecture as well as engineering. The pillars were made out of single stone which was cut, shaped
and polished. These pillars carry Ashoks’s message with Buddhist concept of morality, humanity and
dedication.

Lion Capital (Sarnath)

Place: Sarnath (Mauryan Period), Near Varanasi, U.P.


Medium: Polished sandstone:
Period: Circa 3rd Century B.C.
Collection: Sarnath Museum, U.P

Subject-Matter: A sculpture of four lions on an elaborate abacus

Description-
● One of the finest examples of Mauryan sculpture built in 3rd century B.C.,
Located at Sarnath, near Varanasi.
● The capital, made of polished sandstone is more than 2 meters (7 ft) in
height. Currently, the pillar is in its original place but the capital is on
display at the Sarnath Museum.
● It was commissioned by Ashoka to commemorate the first sermon of the
Buddha or the Dharma chakra pravartana at Sarnath.
● Originally, the capital had five components:
1. The shaft (now broken into many parts)
2. A lotus base bell
3. A drum on the base bell with 4 animals proceeding clockwise (abacus)
4. Figures of 4 lions (capital)
5. The crowning part, a large wheel (this is also broken and displayed at the museum)
● The capital was adopted as the National Emblem of India after independence without the crowning
wheel and the lotus base.
● The four majestic lions are seated back-to-back on a circular abacus and facing four different directions-
East, West, North, and South have been shown as the guards of the country. They symbolize power,
courage, pride and confidence.
● The Abacus is supported by a bell-shaped inverted lotus base. Abacus has the depiction of a dhram
chakra (wheel of law) in all four directions and a bull, a horse, an elephant and a lion between every
chakra. Now, this symbol is used in the middle of the Indian National Flag with dark blue colour

Chauri Bearer from Didar Ganj

Place: Didarganj, Patna, Bihar (Mauryan Period)


Medium: Polished sandstone
Circa: 3rd Century B.C.
Collection: Patna Museum, Bihar

Subject-Matter- A life-size sculpture of Yakshi holding a chauri.

Description-

● The life-size standing image of a Yakshi holding a chauri (flywhisk) from


Didarganj near Patna is another good example of the sculpture tradition of
Mauryan period.

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● It is a 64” (5 ft 4 inches) tall well proportioned, free standing sculpture carved out of single sandstone
with a polished surface.
● The chauri is held in the right hand shown with incised lines; whereas the left hand is broken.
● The image shows sophistication in the treatment of form and medium.
● Face has round, fleshy cheeks, while the neck is relatively small in proportions; the eyes, nose and
lips are sharp.
● She is adorned with jewels on the forehead, ear-ring, necklaces, bangles, girdle over loin cloth and
laces. The garments around the waist are draped elegantly with folds and pleats.
● The most remarkable feature is the calm and peaceful expression on her face. It is considered the
Monalisa of Indian art because of her mysterious half smile.

Kushan Period: Gandhara and Mathura School

The most popular form of art we got from Kushan period and later in Gupta's period.

In Kushan dynasty, two schools of art had been developed, one in Gandhar near Peshawar, the first capital city
of Kushan that is called “Gandhar School of Arts”. In this school, the sculptures of Buddha and Bodhisattvas
were made on granite in ‘Roman Style of Art’ on the basis of Indian themes. But, surrounding Mathura, the
second capital city of Kushanas, the sculptures were engraved on easily available red sandstone. The Hindu
deities, Jain Tirthankaras and Buddha sculptures were made here in great numbers on the basis of local
traditions. It is known as ‘Mathura School of Arts’ or ‘Indian Style of Arts’.

Subject-Matter
Ghandhara School was also called as the Eclectic school because it had influences of Greco-Roman-Hellenistic
techniques. The Subject-matter was completely Buddhist, depicting image of Budha and legend’s life called
Jataka tales. Though the statues are Indian but style of making is Greek (Hellenistic).

Mathura school was also called the indigenous school because it’s evolved at its own native place. The Mathura
school drew inspiration from local folk deities and theme from day to day life.
In Mathura we mainly see works of three religions: Buddhism, Hinduism, and Jainism.
Mathura art had very little influence of Greco-Roman.

Bodhisattva Head, Taxila

Period: 2nd century AD.


Medium - Stone
Dynasty – Kushan – Ghandhara School
Collection – National Museum, New Delhi

Subject-Matter – Stone head of Bodhisattva in a thoughtful expression carved


with well-defined features.

Description -

● The sculpture has Greco-Roman elements. Buddha’s head has


Hellenistic elements.
● Thick curly hair with sharp and linear strokes over the head. Big forehead plane, protruding eyeballs,
half-closed eyes.
● Face and cheeks are not rotund unlike the images found in other parts of the country.
● Elongated ears and earlobes; Surface is smooth and the outlines are quite sharp.
● Expressive image; shows a remarkably calm expression.
● Gandhara images of this period showcase heaviness. This style assimilates influences from Parthian,
Bactrian and Acamenian traditions with the local style.

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Seated Buddha, Katra Mound, Mathura

Period: 2nd century AD.


Medium - Stone
Dynasty – Kushan – Ghandhara School
Collection – National Museum, New Delhi

Subject-Matter

Description -

● Buddha with two Boddhisattva attendants. Buddha is seated in


Padmasana (cross-folded legs).
● Right hand is in Abhayamudra raised above the shoulder level and left
hand is on the left thigh.
● Ushanisha (hair knot) is vertically raised.
● Sculptures of this period from Mathura have light volume and a fleshy body.
● The sanghati (dress) covers only the left shoulder.
● Buddha is seated on a lion throne. He has a large halo which is decorated with geometric motifs. His
face is rounded having fleshy cheeks.
● The attendants are identified as the Boddhisattvas Padmapani (holding a lotus) and Vajrapani (holding a
thunderbolt).
● Two flying figures diagonally above the halo.
● This image is important for an understanding of the Buddha image development in the later periods.

Jain Tirthankara

Period: Circa 5th century AD.


Medium - Stone
Dynasty – Gupta
Collection – State Museum, Lucknow

Subject-Matter

Description -

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