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.
Different schools in 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, Housala, Rashtrakuta, to name a few.
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 are sculptures 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. Pieces from Bharhut, Kosambi and Mathura add weight to the collection!
Buddha in dhyanamudra (100/199)Salar Jung Museum
Buddha in 'dhyanamudra'
Buddha Sakyamuni, seated in Dhyana Mudra, with a nimbus. The figure is fixed to a rectangular stone pedestal. Top-knot hair style with 'samghati' foldings, covering all the body below neck excepting the palms, schist stone, Gandhara School, Kushana dynasty, 2nd century A.D
Shiva (0301)Salar Jung Museum
Ekamukhalinga
A large Shiva Linga with face carved on it in grey sand stone. Ganga flowing above his head- 'Jatamakuta'. Half of the stone is carved face of Shiva in front and the remaining part of the stone is left plain at the back, from Kausambi, early Gupta period, 4th or 5th Century A D.
Saptamatrikas (500/599)Salar Jung Museum
Saptamatrikas
A fragment of Saptamatrika sculpture. The male deity is Shiva in the beginning and three matrikas such as Brahmi, Maheswari, and Kuamari are only seen in the panel. Texts like Brihatsamhita mention about Saptamatrikas, from Kausambi, Gupta period, dated to the 6th century.
Mahisasuramardini (600/699)Salar Jung Museum
Mahisasuramardini
Fragment showing Mahisasuramardhini having four arms killing the buffalo king, Mahishasura holding its tail and trampling on its head with right foot and also using the mace. The goddess wears ornaments and holds trident, in sandstone, from Kausambi, Gupta dynasty, 7th century.
Makaresin Ganga (1000/1099)Salar Jung Museum
Makaresin Ganga with attendant
Ganga with an attendant on her right side; holding 'kalasha' in her left hand. Ganga is decorated with head-dress and ornaments. A 'makara' between the two figures at the bottom. On the right side of the goddess a male god, Varuna her attendant, Kausambi, 11th/12th century.
Paraswanatha (1101/1199)Salar Jung Museum
Parsvanatha
Parswanatha, 23rd Tirthankara, was a teacher who led the way to salvation by example. This sculpture represents him standing in meditation. A coiled seven-headed cobra forms a canopy over his head to protect him from the natural elements, basalt, Kakatiya, Koppal,12th century.
Sthanaka Vishnu (1100/1199)Salar Jung Museum
Sthanaka Vishnu
This standing Vishnu with chaturbhuja has kireetamakuta on top. He is decorated with several ornaments like necklace, armlets, ear-lobs, waist belt and padasuras apart from vanamala. In his front hands Vishnu holds some unusual things, Pala, dated to the 12th century.
Standing Shiva (1200/1299)Salar Jung Museum
Standing Shiva
Shiva in samasthanaka posture with chaturbhuja is seen with necklace, armlets and ornaments like padasuras. He holds damaru and serpent in the upper hands, lower right hand, a spear like symbol, while left hand is seen broken, he is wearing nagabandha, Chola. 13th century.
Standing Lord Surya (1100/1199)Salar Jung Museum
Standing Lord Surya
The god stands on a chariot drawn by seven horses. He holds a padma in his both hands. He wears necklace and other ornaments. On then top of the circular ring gandharvas with garlands are depicted. A couple is seen at lower portion on either side Pala sculpture, 12th century.
Anantha Sayana Vishnu (1101/1199)Salar Jung Museum
Anantasayana Vishnu
Anantasayana Vishnu lying on serpent with two attendants at his feet. In his four hands he is holding sankha, chakra, gada and padma; hood of the serpent is prominently carved. Ten avataras of Vishnu are carved on top of sculpture, black granite, Kakatiya, 12th century.
Standing Asthabhuja Durga (1200/1299)Salar Jung Museum
Goddess Durga
Standing Asthabhuja Durga holds several weapons and attributes like sword, spear, sickle, sankha, shield and bow. Her front right hand is shown in varadahasta. A lady bhakta is seen seated on near left knee in the bottom, Pala sculpture, dated to the 13th century.
Lord Vishnu in 'dhyanamudra' (1300/1399)Salar Jung Museum
Lord Vishnu in 'dhyanamudra'
Chaturbuja Vishnu shown here in dhyanamudra with his front hands lapping one over the other and holding in his rear right hand the gada and chakra in the left. He is decked with kiritamakuta, and necklaces, made in sandstone, North India, 14th century.
Lakshminarayana (1400/1499)Salar Jung Museum
Lakshminarayana
The god is shown seated on the base while his consort, Lakshmi seated on his thigh. He has four hands, upper hands, he holds chakra and sankha. He wears kiritamakuta and necklaces. The goddess has a patti on her chest; holds padma in left hand, Vijayanagara, from 15th century.
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)
