Early History of Orissa

SR No.: 006922
Original Sutra Author: N/A
Author: Amarchand Mittal
Publisher: Jain Cultural Research Society
Publication Year: 1957
Total Pages: 506
Language: English
Classification: Book_English
File Size: 9 MB

Page 248

MAURYA ART IN KALINGA
223
The art-form represented by the Dhauli elephant and the Rampurva bull, however, stand on a different footing altogether. It is perhaps the indigenous art tradition practised in wood, references to which are come across in the Arthaśāstra, the Manusaṁhitā, the Ashțādhyāyi of Pāṇini and in certain early Buddhist texts.
It is difficult to say anything about the nationality of the artists of the Maurya court. There is no evidence forthcoming on that point. But from what has been indicated above, it may be presumed that the Dhauli elephant, the Rampurva bull, and perhaps, also the Sankasya elephant are works of Indian artists, working in the contemporary Indian style and tradition, and having a thorough mastery of the third dimension and a full consciousness of the Indian outlook.
The elephant is mostly represented in imitation in later times. We find them, for instance, among te sculptures and bas-reliefs of Sanchi and Bharhut. The imitation is shown in the capitals of the pillars there, such as four elephants standing back to back and carrying riders, four dwarfs and three elephants, a wheel of sixteen spokes, an elephant between two lions. At the southern gate, elephants figure in the royal procession when Aśoka visited the Stupa of Raumgram, referred to in the Divyāvadāna. At the eastern gate on the back lower lintel, there is a representation of clephants bringing flowers and fruits as offerings. The Bharhut remains bring to light three bas-reliefs showing pillars surmounted by an elephant and so on."
1. B. M. Barua, Journal of Indian Society of Oricatai Art, Vol. XI, pp, 55-63 ; Also Ray, MISA, p. 45.
2. Ray, MSA, p. 45. 3. p. 380, Qtd. Mookerji, Asoka, p. 106. 4. BLOCK, ASR, 1908-09, pp, 144 f.