The Female Hunter on a Horse with Grotesque Form

The female hunter in all probability a Maratha princess, carrying a spear, bow and quiver full of arrows, and falcon, is riding a grotesque horse composed of animals of all regions water, space and earth. The tradition of such blend of different species has been prevalent from early times. Gods like Ganesh, Hanuman, Hayagriva, Narasimha & and semi-divines like Naga-kanyas, Matsya-kanyas.. are some early examples of such blend. Secular forms also prevailed and are discernible in early sculptures right from the Gupta period. The use of parrots for feet and ears and of snakes, for neck's hair, is brilliant.