UPSC Prelims · General Studies

Ancient, medieval & culture

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Indian art and culture / Sculpture

Early Buddhist narrative art and aniconic symbols

Aniconic representation: empty seat (meditation and enlightenment), Bodhi tree, wheel (first sermon), stupa (mahaparinibbana), riderless horse (mahabhinishkramana), footprints
Bharhut railings (Shunga): shallow relief, yakshas and yakshis, Jataka labels, Kubera
Sanchi toranas (Satavahana): deep relief, Jataka scenes, Ashoka's visit, shalabhanjika
Continuous narration and the Jatakas as the subject matter of early Buddhist art

Where to study

ch. 4 Post-Mauryan Trends in Indian Art and Architecture, pp. 1-34 (printed 27-60)
ch. 4 Post-Mauryan Trends in Indian Art and Architecture, Mathura, Sarnath and Gandhara Schools (symbolic representation of the Buddha); Stupa-1, Sanchi, p. 4 (printed 30)
ch. 4 Post-Mauryan Trends in Indian Art and Architecture, Stupa-1, Sanchi (the Buddha shown through symbols), pp. 20-21 (printed 46-47)
ch. 4 Post-Mauryan Trends in Indian Art and Architecture, Bharhut; Yakshini, Bharhut, pp. 1-3 (printed 27-29)
ch. 4 Post-Mauryan Trends in Indian Art and Architecture, Sanchi (toranas and their reliefs); Stupa-1, Sanchi, pp. 3-4 (printed 29-30)
ch. 4 Post-Mauryan Trends in Indian Art and Architecture, Stupa-1, Sanchi, pp. 20-21 (printed 46-47)
ch. 4 Post-Mauryan Trends in Indian Art and Architecture, Bharhut; Sanchi; Buddhist Monuments of South India (Jataka narratives), pp. 1-7 (printed 27-33)

Theme 4 Thinkers, Beliefs and Buildings, pp. 1-33 (printed 82-114)
Theme 4 Thinkers, Beliefs and Buildings, 9. Sculpture (symbols of worship), pp. 18-20 (printed 99-101)
Theme 4 Thinkers, Beliefs and Buildings, 9. Sculpture (Bharhut and Sanchi), pp. 18-20 (printed 99-101)
Theme 4 Thinkers, Beliefs and Buildings, 9. Sculpture (Sanchi gateways, shalabhanjika), pp. 18-20 (printed 99-101)
Theme 4 Thinkers, Beliefs and Buildings, 9. Sculpture (Stories in stone), pp. 18-20 (printed 99-101)