Early period .28circa 115 BCE.29 Sanchi Stupa No.2

the relief of horse-headed woman in mahabodhi temple of bodh gaya.

one relief of horse-headed woman, similar 1 @ mahabodhi temple of bodh gaya, thought first known representation of jataka (a story of previous life of buddha), padakusalamanava jataka, in horse-headed ogress falls in love 1 of preys, , bodhisattva (the future buddha) born of union.

sunga period railings blank (left: sanchi great stupa), , started decorated circa 115 bce stupa no.2 (right).

these first attempts @ narrative art aniconic, not represent buddha directly, appearance in previous lives, or symbols.

these altogether 455 medallions , half-medallions, or 293 consist in lotus flowers, , 126 in lotus motif. 36 of medallions have subject. first time, buddhist themes represented, particularly 4 events in life of buddha are: nativity, enlightenment, first sermon , decease. authors consider these reliefs prelude (the prolegomenon ) of iconography of reliefs in bharhut (100-80 bce) , of later , more evolved depictions on toranas of great stupa in sanchi (1st century bce/ce).

crafstmen gandhara

it thought earliest reliefs last quarter of 2nd century bce produced craftsmen area of gandhara in northwestern indian, central indo-greek region, because left mason s marks in kharoshthi (a script used around area of gandhara), opposed local brahmi script. seems imply these foreign workers responsible of earliest , quite foreign motifs , figures can found on railings of stupa.

around time of first reliefs @ stupa ii, in 115 bce, embassy of heliodorus indo-greek king of taxila named antialkidas, visited court of sungas king bhagabhadra in vidisha, 6km away sanchi. in vidisha, heliodorus established heliodorus pillar in dedication vāsudeva. indicate relations between indo-greeks , sungas had improved time, people traveled between 2 realms, , indo-greeks readily followed indian religions.