Sculpture: Mauryan, Kushana, Gupta, and Medieval

Introduction

Indian sculpture spans over 5,000 years, from the Indus Valley terracottas to the magnificent temple sculptures of the medieval period. Each era-Mauryan, Kushana, Gupta, and Medieval-developed distinctive styles reflecting religious, political, and social influences. This note provides a chronological analysis essential for UPSC Art & Culture.

Mauryan Sculpture (circa 322-185 BCE)

Characteristics

Mauryan sculpture is characterized by polished stonework (mauryan polish-lustrous surface resembling mirror), Persian and Hellenistic influences, and monumental scale.

Key Examples

1. Pillars of Ashoka

• Erected by Emperor Ashoka (circa 269-232 BCE), bearing edicts in Prakrit
• Material: Chunar sandstone (quarried from Chunar, Mirzapur)
• Structure: Monolithic shaft (single stone), bell-shaped lotus capital, animal abacus, crowning animal figure
• Famous examples:
  • Sarnath Lion Capital (circa 250 BCE): Four lions back-to-back; adopted as India's National Emblem (1950)
  • Lauriya Nandangarh (Bihar): Most complete pillar, 36 feet high, single granite block
  • Rampurva Bull Capital: Finely polished bull capital
  • Sanchi (raised for a now-missing pillar): Lotus capital
• Animals on pillars: Lion (4 pillars), Elephant (3), Bull (2), Horse (1)

2. Didarganj Yakshi (Patna Museum)

• Polished sandstone female figure, life-sized, approximately 3rd...