Mauryan Sculptures: Key Features

Introduction

Indian sculpture considerably progressed during the Mauryan period and was largely influenced by Buddhism. However, there are also examples of a few Brahmanical Gods in the sculptural representations.

Key Features of Mauryan Sculptures

• Sculptures were used for religious expression and decoration of stupas (in Torana and Medhi). 
• Mauryan Pillars: like the Lion Capital (Sarnath) and the Bull Capital (Rampurva, Bihar)  were built by  Ashoka.
• In Dhauli (Orissa), there is an image of an elephant carved out from a rock. It was created during Ashoka’s reign. 
• This was the first time a massive animal figure had been carved out of a boulder or rock and contains edicts of Asoka (268-232 BC).[UPSC 2022]
• The Torso of a male figure found at Lohanipur (Bihar) probably represents a Jain Tirthankara.
• Large statues of Yakshas and Yakshinis were found in many places like Patna, Vidisha and Mathura.

Conclusion

• Mauryan sculptures stand as timeless relics, offering invaluable insights into the artistry, spirituality, and historical context of ancient India, enriching our understanding of its cultural heritage.

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