Highlight the Central Asian and Greco-Bactrian elements in Gandhara art. (UPSC IAS Mains 2019 General Studies Paper – 1)
Gandhara school of art was one of the major schools of art in the history of ancient India. This style of art was closely associated with Mahayana Buddhism and hence the main theme of this art was Lord Buddha and Bodhisattvas. It mostly flourished in the areas of Afghanistan and present North-Western India. The period around which the Gandhara school of art flourished could be said to be from 1st century BCE to 4th century CE.
Central Asian Influence
- Shaka and Kushana rulers patronised the Gandhara art leading to its flourishment.
- They brought culture of their respective lands and local Hellenistic art tradition in Gandhara art.
- Hellenized Bactrians played a part in the creation of the anthropomorphic image of Buddha.
- certain iconographic elements associated with Buddhist ideology appear in Gandhara art in the forms derived from Iranian iconography, such as ‘fire altars’ and the flame halo.
Greco-Bacterian Influence
- Vajrapani found in the right hand of future buddha is told as transformed symbol of herculeus who is seen as protector of buddha.
- Some images of buddha in gandhar are presented in greek architectural environment bearing the affinity of Corinthian.
- The Apollo like face of buddha; natural realism; wavy hair as seen in images of buddha in gandhar resembles to Hellenistic tradition.
- Gandhara art also followed Hellenic fashions in numismatics, such as having themselves represented in profile on coins, with legends, which carry the year of minting and other details.
- The drape of Buddha Garment garment recalls the togas of Hellenistic sculpture, the divine figure often acquires humanistic details such as jewellery and a moustache.
- Figures from the Greek pantheon appear alongside statues of the Buddha, often flanked by Corinthian columns and mounted on friezes.
- Older forms of Indian art had not bothered with chronology. There, forms and figures crowd the frame, almost like lush, natural growth. The sculptures of the Gandhara school, in contrast, inhabit sequential narratives.
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