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Jaina Sculptures Of The Gupta Age In The State Museum, Lucknow
R. C. SHARMA
THE sculptural wealth excavated by Dr. Führer at the site of Kankāli
mound, Mathurā, from 1888-91 was deposited in the State Museum, Lucknow. This wealth consisted of Jaina antiquities mostly of Kusana and Gupta periods. As we are informed from an epigraphic record (antiquity No. J. 20 of this Museum), there once existed a great Jaina monument at Mathurā which was known as the Vodva stūpa. The number of the Jaina antiquities of the Gupta age unearthed at Mathura is much less than the Kuşāņa sculptures but in quality and fine workmanship these few specimens are some of the best examples of Indian art which the Mathurā school has ever produced.
Before describing the collection of Jaina sculptures in this Museum it would perhaps be appropriate if the chief characteristics of the Gupta art are dealt with, particularly focussing attention on the Jaina sculptures. The supremacy of the Brāhmaṇical religion during the Gupta age caused a gradual decline of Jainism, although deeprooted faith in Jainism of the middle class people and wealthy merchants continued to give encouragement to the artist to show his skill in chiselling the Jaina statuary. We, therefore, find that despite receiving no royal patronage Jaina antiquities of this period are
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