History of Indian stone sculpture
In ancient and medieval times sculpture was the favoured medium of artistic expression. Indian buildings were profusely adorned with it. The subject matter was human forms that were used to instruct people in the truths of the Hindu, Buddhist, or Jain religions.
Symbolism in sculpture
The figures are conceived of as shapes that are more perfect than anything to be found in the merely transitory appearance of human models. The multiple heads and arms of sculptured Hindu divinities were thought necessary to display the manifold attributes of these gods' power.
Timeline of Indian sculpture
The tradition extends from Indus valley civilization of 2500 to 1800 BCE, during which terracotta figurines were produced. The great circular stone pillars and carved lions of the Mauryan period (3rd century BCE) gave way to figurative sculpture in the 2nd and 1st centuries.
Timeline of Indian sculpture
A wide range of styles and traditions subsequently flourished in different parts of India over the succeeding centuries, but by the 9th–10th centuries CE Indian sculpture had reached a form that has lasted with little change up to the present day.
Schools of Indian sculpture
There have been various schools according to the timeline in India's history which gave us sculpture in architecture and free sculptural forms as well. The schools include Sunga, Gandhara, Mathura, Pala, Chola, Pallava, Vijayanagara, Chalukya, Hoysala and Rashtrakuta.
Gandhara School
Flourished in the Gandhara region (present-day Pakistan and Afghanistan) during the 1st to 5th centuries CE, influenced by Hellenistic and Roman styles due to the region's connection to the Greco-Bactrian Kingdoms.
Mathura School
Thrived in the ancient city of Mathura (in present-day Uttar Pradesh, India) from the 2nd century BCE to the 12th century CE, known for its distinctive style characterized by sensuousness and realism.
Gupta School
Associated with the Gupta Empire (4th to 6th centuries CE), considered a golden age of Indian art. Known for its refined style, idealized figures, and spiritual symbolism, seen in the famous sculptures of temples like the Dashavatara Temple at Deogarh.
Pala School
Flourished in the eastern regions of India, particularly Bengal and Bihar, during the 8th to 12th centuries CE under the Pala dynasty. Known for its Buddhist sculptures, especially those found in Nalanda and Vikramashila.
Chola School
Associated with the Chola dynasty (9th to 13th centuries CE) in southern India, particularly in Tamil Nadu. Known for its magnificent bronze sculptures, such as the Nataraja (Shiva as Lord of the Dance). Stone sculptures were made as well.
Hoysala School
Flourished in the Hoysala Empire (10th to 14th centuries CE) in the Karnataka region of southern India. Known for its intricately carved temple sculptures, characterized by their attention to detail and ornate decoration.
Maru-Gurjara School
Emerged in the western regions of India, particularly Gujarat and Rajasthan, from the 8th century onwards. Known for its temple sculptures, including elaborate carvings on sandstone and marble.
The Salar Jung Museum collection
There is sculpture from different schools; Sunga, Gandhara, Mathura, Pala, Gujarat, Rajasthani, Chola and Kakatiyan examples. They are in different stages of preservation due to passage of time.
Let's have a look at some sculptural artefacts from an eclectic collection!
Railing stone with lotus medallion designSalar Jung Museum
Railing stone with lotus medallion design
Railing stone with lotus medallion design and bell patterns. It is an excellent example of Sunga sculpture with flower pattern. A fragment of the railing erected by the Sungas around the stupa at Bharhut, a magnificent remain of the Mauryas, 1st century A.D.
A Scythian head
The sculpture is carved with a turban in belt pattern which is in conical shaped, the face is chipped off at places. It reflects the culture of Scythian in the time of Kushanas, from Mathura, 2nd century A.D.
Salabhanjika (100/199)Salar Jung Museum
Salabhanjika
Salabhanjika is an important motif of Indian art, particularly Buddhist art. A young lady with simple ornaments is standing in dwibhanga posture beneath a tree holding its branch, an auspicious symbol of fertility, Mathura, Kushana dynasty, from the 1st/2nd century.
Head of Shiva
'Head of Shiva', with curly hair and diadem. The third eye on forehead is prominent. Naga (snake) encircles the head of Shiva, the head of naga is missing, nose and chin of the god is seen chipped off. It is from Mathura, Kushana dynasty, dated to 1st/2nd century A.D.
Buddha (0101/0199)Salar Jung Museum
Standing Buddha
Standing figure of Buddha found at Nelakondapalli, Telangana, a stone carving centre. He has curly hair elongated ears and a 'tilak' on forehead. He wears a wavy lined robe covering at the left shoulder. His hands are damaged, limestone, Ishkavaku dynasty, dated to 3rd century.
Head of female figure
Female head with attractive coiffure arranged at the left side of the figure. The Gupta Empire was an ancient Indian empire existing from the mid-to-late 3rd century CE to 590 CE. In stone, from Kausambi, Uttar Pradesh, Gupta period.
Vishnu with his consorts, Sridevi and Bhudevi (400/499)Salar Jung Museum
Lord Vishnu with his consorts
Lord Vishnu with his consorts, Sridevi and Bhudevi, He is sthanakamurthy with four hands, has necklace and vanamala. He wears makuta and holds sankha in his front hands, the lower right hands holds a gada, red sandstone, Bundelkhand/ Mathura School, Gupta period, 5th Century A.D.
Jaina prabhavali, in marble, from Gujarat, dated to the 12th century.
Standing Lord Surya, Pala School, dated to the 12th century.
Statue of pancha tirthi Mahavira (1100/1199)Salar Jung Museum
Standing figure of 'pancha tirthi' Mahavira
The figure in basalt under a canopy with ornamental pattern on its circular sides. Four seated small sized 'Mahaviras', the lower two with canopies; they sit in the four corners of the circular ring. Kannada inscription on the pedestal, Kakatiya, Koppal, from the 12th century.
Standing Shiva, in stone, Chola dynasty. 13th century.
Bhoodevi (1300/1399)Salar Jung Museum
Bhoodevi
Figure of Bhoodevi, one of the consorts of Lord Vishnu, she is wearing profuse jewellry, her crown, necklace and two anklets are prominent, in stone, from Mysore, dated to the 14th century.
Nandi (1300/1399)Salar Jung Museum
Nandi
Nandi is shown here in crouching pose with small horns and mupuram (hump) decorated with bells, twisted ropes and other ornaments. This is a similar Nandi to that of Nandis in 'Thousand pillars' temple, Warangal, in stone, Kakatiya, 14th century A.D.
Lakshminarayana, Vijayanagara School, South India, dated to 15th century.
Royal lady (1500/1599)Salar Jung Museum
Royal lady
Standing figure of a royal lady in 'S' curve, wears necklace. She has rich hair style. Her half-opened eyes and straight nose are carved prominently. She also wears necklace, waist band, anklets and padasuras, sandstone, from North India, dated to the 16th century.
Lord Surya (1500/1599)Salar Jung Museum
Lord Surya
Lord Surya with four hands riding a two wheeled chariot, being drawn by seven headed horse, stone, from India, dated to the 16th century.
Mahishasuramardini (1500/1599)Salar Jung Museum
Mahisasuramardini
One of the terrible manifestations of Parvathi is Mahishasuramardhini. The goddess wears ornaments and holds several attributes in her ashtabhuja (8 hands). Her vehicle, the lion is depicted and the buffalo demon, Mahishasura, who she is s suppressing, South India, 16th century.
Fragment of stone with Buddha images (1700/1799)Salar Jung Museum
Fragment of stone with Buddha images
Archaeological remain, a black stone slab carved in panels with figures of Buddha. from India, dated to the 18th century.
Lord Ganesha (1700/1799)Salar Jung Museum
Lord Ganesha
Figure of Lord Ganesha, with his usual symbols. In his left bottom hand rests the trunk, in stone, from South India, dated to the 18th century.
Figure of a Hindu god (1700/1799)Salar Jung Museum
Figure of a Hindu God
Standing figure of a Hindu god wearing a crown, chest and neck ornamented as well, waist girdled and hands resting on the side of hips, in stone, from India, dated to the 18th century.
Garuda in 'anjali mudra' (1700/1799)Salar Jung Museum
Garuda in 'anjali mudra'
Garuda in anjali posture with emblems of Lord Vishnu, discus and conch on the top sides. He is a kite with powerful open wings and attendant and devotee of Lord Vishnu, and his vehicle or vahana. Figure is in samabhanga, in black stone, from Andhra, South India, 18th century.
Figure of a Vaishnava saint (1700/1799)Salar Jung Museum
Figure of Vaishnava saint
A seated figure of Vaishnava saint; sankhu marks on either shoulder and nama on the forehead, in stone, from India, dated to the 18th century.
Mahisasuramardini (1600/1699)Salar Jung Museum
Mahisasuramardini
A eight handed Goddess Mahisasura mardini, her right leg on the demon-bison, who she is overpowering, a lion under her raised folded foreleg, in black stone, India, dated to the 17th century.
Goddess Saraswati (1800/1899)Salar Jung Museum
Goddess Saraswati
Carved Hindu Goddess Saraswati with veena in standing posture against the base carved with floral designs, in stone, from Madhya Pradesh, dated to the 19th century.
Brahma and Saraswati (1900/1999)Salar Jung Museum
Brahma and Saraswati
Marble or soap-stone carving representing Brahma and Saraswati, Saraswati riding on peacock, a child and lamb at the bottom; diamond shaped base, India, dated to the 20th century.
Goddess Lakshmi (1900/1999)Salar Jung Museum
Goddess Lakshmi
Stone figure of Lakshmi Devi under an arch with a Kirtimukha on the top of the arch, holding lotus in three hands. In stone, from India, dated to the 20th century.
Lord Ganesha (1900/1999)Salar Jung Museum
Lord Ganesha
Stone sculpture of Lord Ganesha with his trunk held in his left hand, in stone, from India, dated to the 20th century.
Nandi
Nandi caparisoned, seated on pedestal. A snake on its body. Its ornaments gold tinted, black stone, from India, dated to the 20th century.
Standing sculpture (1973/1973) by Yadagiri RaoSalar Jung Museum
Standing sculpture
Contemporary stone sculpture in standing pose by Sri. A.Yadgiri Rao. The sculpture may be a modern Sivalinga. Sri. Yadagi Rao was professor in sculpture at JNTU, Hyderabad, in granite, dated to 1973.
Text and Curation: Soma Ghosh
Photography: M. Krishnamurthy and Bahadur Ali
Research Assistance: Dinesh Singh and E. Rajesh
Special thanks to : Shri Ashish Goyal, IIS, Director, Salar Jung Museum, Hyderabad, India.
Dr. G. Kusum, Curator, Salar Jung Museum, Hyderabad, India.
References -
1. https://www.britannica.com/art/Indian-sculpture(accessed on 02/03/2024)
2. https://www.britannica.com/topic/Pala-art (accessed on 02/03/2024)
3. https://www.worldhistory.org/article/1992/chola-art--architecture/(accessed on 02/03/2024)
4. https://www.britannica.com/topic/Mathura-art(accessed on 02/03/2024)
5. https://www.britannica.com/art/South-Asian-arts/Gupta-period-c-4th-6th-centuries-ce (accessed on 02/03/2024)
