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How did Mathura school differ from the Gandhara school?. (150 words).
Buddha in the symbolic form got a human form in Mathura and Gandhara. The sculptural tradition in Gandhara had the confluence of Bactria, Parthia and the local Gandhara tradition.
- Area: The Gandhara school of art mostly flourished in areas of Afghanistan and present North-west India whereas Mathura school of art developed and flourished in Mathura and areas of Uttar Pradesh.
- Time period: The Gandhara school of art flourished from first century BC to fifth century AD whereas the Mathura school of art originated in the first century BC and flourished till twelfth century AD.
- External influence: Gandhara school of art was influenced by Greek and possibly Macedonians whereas Mathura school of art was purely indigenous with no external influence.
- Religious influence: Gandhara school of art was influenced by Buddhism while Mathura school of art was Influenced by Hinduism, Buddhism and Jainism.
- Material used: Gandhara school of art used bluish Grey and grey sandstone whereas Mathura school of art used spotted red sandstone.
- Expression: The expression of calmness is the centre point of attraction of Gandhara Buddha whereas Mathura Buddha is delighted in mood, seated in Padmasana and right hand in Abhyamudra and left hand on left thigh showing masculinity.
- Halo: The Halo around the head of Buddha was not decorated generally in Gandhara school of art while it was largely decorated in Mathura school of art.
The Kushanas patronized the Gandhara and the Mathura schools of sculptural art which are known for producing the earliest images of Buddha and Buddhisattavas.