Sculpture and Harappan Art

Sculpture Overview

• Sculpture involves crafting objects from materials such as metal, stone, wood, and clay.
• Iconography is the study of images and statues.
• The origin of Indian sculpture traces back to the Harappan civilization.

Harappan Sculpture

Metal Figures

• Notable creations include the Dancing Girl and standing woman from Mohenjodaro.
• Harappa features a bullock cart, a one-bull cart, and a scene of a dog attacking a deer.
• Chanhudaro is recognized for its bullock carts.
• Lothal sculptures include figures of an ox, dog, rabbit, and bird.
• Kalibangan is known for its bull representation.

Stone Statues

• Key figures from Mohenjodaro include the Priest/Bearded man and male statue.
• Harappa includes a male torso and a male dancer.

Terracottas

• Featured subjects encompass human forms like Matridevi (Mother Goddess) and various animals such as bulls, buffalo, ducks, and peacocks.
• The bronze Dancing Girl from Mohenjodaro showcases the lost wax process (CIRE PERDUE) used for bronze casting.

Mauryan Sculpture

• Mauryan sculptures are primarily visible in the forms of pillars, stone statues, and terracottas.

Ashokan Pillars

• The Ashokan pillar, a cornerstone of Mauryan art, is a monolithic structure topped with animal figures.
• Originally, there were around 30 Ashokan pillars, 15 of which remain intact.
• Pillars can be classified into two types: with inscriptions and without inscriptions.

Inscriptions

• Pillars with inscriptions can be found at locations including Meerut-Delhi, Allahabad, and Sarnath.

Without Inscriptions

• Examples include the pillars in Rampurva, Kosambi, and Basarh.

Structure of Pillars

• Each pillar consists of a Tapering Shaft and a Capital.
• Tapering Shaft: Carved from a single stone; exhibits fine polish that resembles a mirror.
• Capital: Made separately and affixed to the shaft using a copper dowel; often includes a bell-shaped inverted lotus at the base, an abacus in the middle, and a crown at the top.

Decoration and Significance

• The abacus features engravings of animals, birds, and the Dharma Chakra (Wheel of Law).
• The crowned animal figures on the capitals include lions, bulls, and elephants.
• The Lion Capital of Sarnath is a notable example, serving as the State Emblem of India.
• The Ashokan pillars are renowned for their intricate animal motifs and overall grandeur, exemplifying the artistry of the Mauryan period.

Explore the fascinating world of sculpture, focusing on the early forms from the Harappan civilization. This quiz covers significant metal figures and the evolution of sculpture in India, including iconography and notable artifacts. Test your knowledge of these ancient artistic expressions.