Content of the reliefs Sanchi Stupa No.2

1 content of reliefs

1.1 period (circa 115 bce)

1.1.1 crafstmen gandhara


1.2 later period (circa 15 bce)

content of reliefs

typically, earliest medallions @ sanchi dated 115 bc, while more extensive pillar carvings dated around 80 bc, or century later first ones, around 15 bce.

early period (circa 115 bce)

these reliefs period of sanchi ii (circa 115 bce) earliest known examples of indian stone reliefs.

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.

later period (circa 15 bce)

about century later, more descriptive reliefs added, , superimposed on earlier ones, show evolution of buddhist during intervening period. time, reliefs more buddhist in character, , contemporary reliefs on torana gateways of great stupa @ sanchi.