Ancient India

Ashmolean Museum http://www.ashmolean.org/departments/easternart/about/

http://www.ashmolean.org/departments/easternart/studycentre/

Indian subcontinent http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Indian_subcontinent

The Indian subcontinent In this programme ‘India’ is the Indian subcontinent, including India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, Nepal and Bhutan, Afghanistan to the north and the islands of the Maldives to the south. In archaeological literature different names can be used for countries and sites before 1947.

‘The changing face of the Indian subcontinent’ http://news.bbc.co.uk

Bowl with geometric motifs, 3rd millennium, from Baluchistan Province (possibly Nal). Nal, Baluchistan, Pakistan: http://sws.geonames.org/1169469 http://www.harappa.com/baluch/ http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mehrgarh Sohr Damb: http://www.dainst.org/en/project/sohr-dambnal?ft=all Neolithic/Bronze Age Pakistan: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/South_Asian_Stone_Age http://wondersofpakistan.wordpress.com/2009/02/21/mehrgarh-the-neolithic-period-from-7th-mill-bc/

H: 8.7cm; D: 14.1cm. Clay with painted decoration AN1945.5

Figure of a bull or ox, with holes drilled into the sides of the neck, suggesting that it was fitted to a model cart, c.2500-2300, from Chanhu-daro, south of Mohenjo-daro. Chanhu-daro: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chanhudaro Mohenjo-daro: http://sws.geonames.org/1170156 Indus Valley culture: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Indus_Valley_Civilization http://www.harappa.com/har/indus-saraswati.html http://www.indohistory.com/indus_valley_civilization.html

H:5.4cm; L:9.2cm. Terracotta http://jameelcentre.ashmolean.org/object/EACh.1

Cubical weight, c. 2500-1900, from Mohenjo-daro. Indus Valley culture: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Indus_Valley_Civilization http://www.harappa.com/har/indus-saraswati.html http://www.indohistory.com/indus_valley_civilization.html Mohenjo-daro: http://sws.geonames.org/1170156 http://www.waa.ox.ac.uk/XDB/ASP/waaTimelines.asp?id={5E330414-25D0-4CEC-BB36-07FF6492C60B} http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mohenjo-daro http://www.mohenjodaro.net/index.html Chert and Weights: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chert http://www.ancientindia.co.uk/indus/explore/hr_weights.html

H:4.3cm; W:4.1cm. Chert, carved. http://jameelcentre.ashmolean.org/object/Eamd.7

Terracotta bird (head mssing) which may have been used as a whistle, c. 2500-1900. Indus Valley culture: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Indus_Valley_Civilization http://www.harappa.com/har/indus-saraswati.html http://www.indohistory.com/indus_valley_civilization.html

H: 5.2cm; W: 6.5cm. Terracotta, painted. http://jameelcentre.ashmolean.org/object/EACh.7

Terracotta die, c. 2500-1900, from Mohenjo-daro. Mohenjo-daro: http://sws.geonames.org/1170156 http://www.waa.ox.ac.uk/XDB/ASP/waaTimelines.asp?id={5E330414-25D0-4CEC-BB36-07FF6492C60B} http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mohenjo-daro http://www.mohenjodaro.net/index.html Indus Valley culture: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Indus_Valley_Civilization http://www.harappa.com/har/indus-saraswati.html http://www.indohistory.com/indus_valley_civilization.html Dice: http://www.harappa.com/indus5/page_420.html http://www.pasthorizonspr.com/index.php/archives/02/2011/almost-every-tenth-find-from-mohenjo-daro-is-play-related

H: 2cm; W: 2cm. Terracotta http://jameelcentre.ashmolean.org/object/EAMd.25

D: 53.5cm. Terracotta http://jameelcentre.ashmolean.org/object/EACH.8

Ball, c.2500-1900, from Chanhu-daro, south of Mohenjo-daro. Chanhu-daro: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chanhudaro Mohenjo-daro: http://sws.geonames.org/1170156 Indus Valley culture: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Indus_Valley_Civilization http://www.harappa.com/har/indus-saraswati.html http://www.indohistory.com/indus_valley_civilization.html

Jar, c. 2500 -1900, from Harappa. Indus Valley culture: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Indus_Valley_Civilization http://www.harappa.com/har/indus-saraswati.html http://www.indohistory.com/indus_valley_civilization.html Harappa: http://sws.geonames.org/1387783 http://www.waa.ox.ac.uk/XDB/ASP/waaTimelines.asp?id={5876B6E2-2338-4359-B89C-56F05A69522A} http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Harappa http://www.harappa.com/ Pottery: http://www.harappa.com/indus/70.html

H: 5.6cm; D: 5.5cm. Terracotta http://jameelcentre.ashmolean.org/object/EAX.7287

Celt (axe-head), c. 2500-1000, from Gungeria Hoard, in Madhya Pradesh central India. Copper Hoard Culture: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Copper_Hoard_Culture

L: 19.1cm; W: 13cm. Copper, cast. http://jameelcentre.ashmolean.org/object/EA1954.66

Seal, with a one-horned bovine animal before a ritual offering stand and characters in the Indus script. c. 2000, from Harappa. Indus Valley culture: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Indus_Valley_Civilization http://www.harappa.com/har/indus-saraswati.html http://www.indohistory.com/indus_valley_civilization.html Harappa: http://sws.geonames.org/1387783 http://www.waa.ox.ac.uk/XDB/ASP/waaTimelines.asp?id={5876B6E2-2338-4359-B89C-56F05A69522A} http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Harappa http://www.harappa.com/ Seals and Indus script: http://www.britishmuseum.org/explore/highlights/highlight_objects/asia/s/indus_seal.aspx http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Indus_script http://www.harappa.com/indus/30.html http://ancientscripts.com/indus.html http://www.harappa.com/script/index.html

H: 2.3cm; W: 2.3cm. Steatite, glazed http://jameelcentre.ashmolean.org/object/EA2009.6

Triangular prism sealing, with a male figure in a yogic posture on a throne, a bull-like animal and five characters in Indus script, c. 2000, from Mohenjo-Daro Indus Valley culture: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Indus_Valley_Civilization http://www.harappa.com/har/indus-saraswati.html http://www.indohistory.com/indus_valley_civilization.html Mohenjo-daro: http://sws.geonames.org/1170156 http://www.waa.ox.ac.uk/XDB/ASP/waaTimelines.asp?id={5E330414-25D0-4CEC-BB36-07FF6492C60B} http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mohenjo-daro http://www.mohenjodaro.net/index.html Seals and Indus script: http://www.britishmuseum.org/explore/highlights/highlight_objects/asia/s/indus_seal.aspx http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Indus_script http://www.harappa.com/indus/30.html http://ancientscripts.com/indus.html http://www.harappa.com/script/index.html

H: 1.5cm; W: 4cm. Terracotta

http://jameelcentre.ashmolean.org/object/EAMd.13

H: 4.6cm; W: 4.5. Soapstone reddish-mauve, carved http://jameelcentre.ashmolean.org/object/EA1996.74

Fragment of a jeweller’s mould with animals and birds in relief, 3rd century BC, from Kaushambi, Uttar Pradesh district. Kaushambi: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kaushambi_district Uttar Pradesh: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Uttar_Pradesh Jewellery moulds: http://brown.academia.edu/RachelMairs/Papers/1545855/_Models_Moulds_and_Mass_Production_The_Mechanics_of_Stylistic_Influence_from_the_Mediterranean_to_Bactria_

D: 18mm. Weight: 8.39g. Gold, struck HCR 6540

Indo-Greek coin (stater) with bust of Diodotos I (c. 285-c.235) on the obverse and ‘thundering’ Zeus on the obverse with an inscription (Greek) basileos Diodotou. Indo-Greek: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Indo-Greeks Diodotos 1: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Diodotus_I http://coinproject.com/search_emperor.php?emp=Diodotos-I&region=GRAECO-BACTRIAN-amp;-INDO-GREEK&type=12 Indo-Greek coins: http://coinindia.com/galleries-greek-diodotos.html http://www.indogreekcoins.blogspot.co.uk/ http://www.wildwinds.com/coins/greece/baktria/i.html

Indo-Greek coin (tetradrachm) with bust of Euthydemos I (230-200) on the obverse and Apollo seated on an omphalos with a club and the reverse with an inscription (Greek) basileos Euthydemou). Indo-Greek: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Indo-Greeks Euthydemos I: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Euthydemus_I Indo-Greek coins: http://coinindia.com/galleries-euthydemos1.html http://www.indogreekcoins.blogspot.co.uk/ http://www.wildwinds.com/coins/greece/baktria/i.html http://www.columbia.edu/itc/mealac/pritchett/00routesdata/bce_299_200/grecobactriancoins/grecobactriancoins.html http://www.forumancientcoins.com/catalog/roman-and-greek-coins.asp?vpar=771

D: 29mm. Weight: 16.24g. Silver, struck HCR 6542

Rhyton in the form of a centaur, 3rd/2nd century, from Imit. Imit (Pakistan): http://sws.geonames.org/1176695 http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ishkuman Hellenistic Period: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Seleucid_Empire Rhyton: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rhyton Centaur: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Centaur

H: 26.9cm; W: 21.1cm. Bronze, cast http://jameelcentre.ashmolean.org/object/EA1963.28

D: 33mm. Weight: 16.08g. Silver, struck HCR 6537

Indo-Greek coin of Demetrios I (reg. 200-180) with a bust of the king wearing an elephant scalp on the obverse and Heracles crowning himself on the reverse and an inscription (Greek) Basileos Demetriou. Indo-Greek: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Indo-Greeks Demetrios I: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Demetrius_I_of_Bactria Indo-Greek coins: http://coinindia.com/galleries-demetrios1.html http://www.indogreekcoins.blogspot.co.uk/ http://www.wildwinds.com/coins/greece/baktria/i.html http://www.columbia.edu/itc/mealac/pritchett/00routesdata/bce_299_200/grecobactriancoins/grecobactriancoins.html http://www.forumancientcoins.com/catalog/roman-and-greek-coins.asp?vpar=771

Bactrian tax receipt inscribed with the name of the king Antimachus who ruled 185-170. Greco-Bactrian kingdom: http://afghanistan.asiasociety.org/timeline/43/BCE/180 http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Greco-Bactrian_Kingdom http://www.bactria.org/Home.html http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Indo-Greeks Antimachus I: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Antimachus_I Coins: http://www.columbia.edu/itc/mealac/pritchett/00routesdata/bce_299_200/grecobactriancoins/grecobactriancoins.html http://www.forumancientcoins.com/catalog/roman-and-greek-coins.asp?vpar=771

H: 6.1cm; W: 14cm. Skin, ink

http://jameelcentre.ashmolean.org/object/EA1994.79

Indo-Greek coin (tetradrachm) of Eukratides I (reg. c. 171-145) with a bust of the king wearing a helmet on the obverse and Heracles the Disokouroi on horseback on the reverse and an inscription (Greek) Basileos Megalou Eukratidou. Indo-Greek: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Indo-Greeks Eukratides I: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Eucratides_I Indo-Greek coins: http://coinindia.com/galleries-eucratides1.html http://www.indogreekcoins.blogspot.co.uk/ http://www.wildwinds.com/coins/greece/baktria/i.html http://www.columbia.edu/itc/mealac/pritchett/00routesdata/bce_299_200/grecobactriancoins/grecobactriancoins.html http://www.forumancientcoins.com/catalog/roman-and-greek-coins.asp?vpar=771

D: 34mm. Weight: 16.6g. Silver, struck HCR 6538

Indo-Greek coin (stater) of Menander (reg. 155-130) with a bust of Athena on the obverse and her owl on the reverse. Indo-Greek: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Indo-Greeks Menander: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Menander_I Indo-Greek coins: http://www.coinarchives.com/a/results.php?results=100&search=Menander+I&Thumb=1 http://www.indogreekcoins.blogspot.co.uk/ http://www.wildwinds.com/coins/greece/baktria/i.html http://www.columbia.edu/itc/mealac/pritchett/00routesdata/bce_299_200/grecobactriancoins/grecobactriancoins.html http://www.forumancientcoins.com/catalog/roman-and-greek-coins.asp?vpar=771 D: 18.5mm. Weight: 8.58g. Gold, struck

HCR 6543

H: 21.7cm; W: 10.2cm. Terracotta http://jameelcentre.ashmolean.org/object/EAX.201

Moulded plaque of a nature spirit (yakshi), found at Tamluk, ancient port of Tamralipiti, Bay of Bengal, 2nd century. Tamluk: http://www.geonames.org/1255046/tamluk.html http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tamluk http://asi.nic.in/asi_museums_tamiluk.asp Mauryan Empire: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mauryan Yakshi http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Yakshini http://www.yakshi.in/concept-of-yakshi http://kushan.org/essays/women/ideals.htm

H: 23.2cm; W: 24cm. Terracotta http://jameelcentre.ashmolean.org/object/EA1993.35

Mould for a similar plaque, from Chandraketugarh, Bengal.

Kushan coin (double dinar/stater) of Wima Kadphises (reg. 110-127), with king seated on a mountain top and an inscription Basileos ooemo Kadphises (Greek) on the obverse, and Siva reclining against Nandi bull and an inscription Maharajasa Rajadirajasa Sarwaloga Ishwasa Wi[ma Katphisjasa (Kharoshti). Kushan: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kushan_Empire http://www.kushan.org/ http://www.metmuseum.org/toah/hd/kush/hd_kush.htm Kharoshti: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kharosthi http://www.cais-soas.com/CAIS/Languages/kharoshti_script.htm S(h)iva: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shiva Nandi bull: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nandi_(bull)

D: 24mm. Weight: 15.94g. Gold, struck HCR 6556

Earrings, 2nd/1st century, from south Bactria, possibly Gandhara. Gandhara: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gandhara Greco-Bactrian kingdom: http://afghanistan.asiasociety.org/timeline/43/BCE/180 http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Greco-Bactrian_Kingdom http://www.bactria.org/Home.html http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Indo-Greeks

H: 4.5cm; W: 1.5cm (left). Gold, with lapis lazuli, ivory and quartz pendants http://jameelcentre.ashmolean.org/object/EA1995.162

H: 7.2cm; W: 6cm. Bronze, cast

http://jameelcentre.ashmolean.org/object/EA1994.58

Furniture fitting in the form of a maenad, 2nd-1st century, from south Bactria, possibly Gandhara. Gandhara: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gandhara Greco-Bactrian kingdom: http://afghanistan.asiasociety.org/timeline/43/BCE/180 http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Greco-Bactrian_Kingdom http://www.bactria.org/Home.html http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Indo-Greeks Maenad: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Maenad

H: 4.8cm; W: 6.5cm. Coral

http://jameelcentre.ashmolean.org/object/EA1993.19

Head of Medusa, 2nd-1st century, from south Bactria, possibly Gandhara. Gandhara: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gandhara Greco-Bactiran kingdom: http://afghanistan.asiasociety.org/timeline/43/BCE/180 http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Greco-Bactrian_Kingdom http://www.bactria.org/Home.html http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Indo-Greeks Indian Ocean coral: http://www.conservationpark.org.uk/indian-ocean-coral-reef http://www.ncdc.noaa.gov/paleo/outreach/coral/sor/sor_indian.html Medusa: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Medusa

H:8.8cm; W: 3.4. Bronze, cast

http://jameelcentre.ashmolean.org/object/EA1994.47

Hip-herm of a satyr holding a cornucopia, 1st century, from south Bactria, possibly Gandhara. Gandhara: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gandhara Greco-Bactiran kingdom: http://afghanistan.asiasociety.org/timeline/43/BCE/180 http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Greco-Bactrian_Kingdom http://www.bactria.org/Home.html http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Indo-Greeks Satyr: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Satyr Hip-herm: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Herma

Figure of a bull, 1st century, from south Bactria, possibly Gandhara. Gandhara: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gandhara Greco-Bactiran kingdom: http://afghanistan.asiasociety.org/timeline/43/BCE/180 http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Greco-Bactrian_Kingdom http://www.bactria.org/Home.html http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Indo-Greeks

H: 3.1; L: 5.2cm. Gold, cast, repousse http://jameelcentre.ashmolean.org/object/EA1993.21

Roundel with lady at her toilet, 1st century, Gandhara, Kushan Period. Gandhara: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gandhara Greco-Bactiran kingdom: http://afghanistan.asiasociety.org/timeline/43/BCE/180 http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Greco-Bactrian_Kingdom http://www.bactria.org/Home.html http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Indo-Greeks Kushan period: http://www.metmuseum.org/toah/hd/kush/hd_kush.htm http://www.asiasocietymuseum.org/region_results.asp?RegionID=1&CountryID=1&ChapterID=1&ViewText=True http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kushan_Empire http://coinindia.com/galleries-kushan.html

D: 8.8cm. W: 0.6cm. Silver, with repousse decoration http://jameelcentre.ashmolean.org/object/EA1997.24

Relief depicting the dream of Queen Maya, 1st century, Gandhara. Gandhara: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gandhara Kushan period: http://www.metmuseum.org/toah/hd/kush/hd_kush.htm http://www.asiasocietymuseum.org/region_results.asp?RegionID=1&CountryID=1&ChapterID=1&ViewText=True http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kushan_Empire http://coinindia.com/galleries-kushan.html Queen Maya: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Maya_(mother_of_Buddha) http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_birth_of_Buddha_(Lalitavistara)

H:28.2cm; W: 59cm. Schist, carved http://jameelcentre.ashmolean.org/object/EA1997.198

H: 5.8cms; W: .5cm. Grey terracotta http://jameelcentre.ashmolean.org/object/EA1993.389

Plaque fragment with a pair of lovers (mithuna), probably from Chandraketugarh, East India, West Bengal, 1st century. Chandraketuqarh http://wikimapia.org/13261017/Chandraketugarh http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chandraketugarh http://www.vedamsbooks.com/no23329/chandraketugarh-treasure-house-bengal-terracottas-enamul-haque http://historyofbengal.com/ Mithuna: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Maithuna http://asi.nic.in/asi_monu_whs_konark_mithuna.asp

Indo-Scythian coin (tetradrachm) of Maues (reg. 90-75) with Zeus on the obverse and an inscription (Greek) Basileos Basileon Megalou Manou and a Nike at an altar on the reverse (Kharosthi) Rajatirajasa Mahatasa Moasa. Maues: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Maues Indo-Scythian: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Indo-Scythians Kharoshti: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kharosthi Indo-Scythian coins: http://www.coinarchives.com/a/results.php?results=100&search=maues&Thumb=1 http://wildwinds.com/coins/greece/indo_scythians/azes_I/i.html http://www.grifterrec.com/coins/indoscythian/indoscythian.html

D: 28mm. Weight: 9.85g. Silver, struck HCR 6529

Statuette of the Greek Heracles with his club, seated on a lion-skin, 1st century BC/1st century AD, from south Bactria, possibly Gandhara. Gandhara: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gandhara Greco-Bactrian kingdom: http://afghanistan.asiasociety.org/timeline/43/BCE/180 http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Greco-Bactrian_Kingdom http://www.bactria.org/Home.html http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Indo-Greeks Heracles: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Heracles

H: 13.5cm; W: 8.5cm. Bronze, cast http://jameelcentre.ashmolean.org/object/EA1999.31

Palette with Nereids, or sea nymphs, 1st century AD, Gandhara. Gandhara: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gandhara Kushan period: http://www.metmuseum.org/toah/hd/kush/hd_kush.htm http://www.asiasocietymuseum.org/region_results.asp?RegionID=1&CountryID=1&ChapterID=1&ViewText=True http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kushan_Empire http://coinindia.com/galleries-kushan.html Nereids: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nereid

D: 13.7cm. Schist, carved http://jameelcentre.ashmolean.org/object/EA1996.82

Ring with bust figure holding a wine cup, Gandhara, 1st century AD. Gandhara: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gandhara Kushan period: http://www.metmuseum.org/toah/hd/kush/hd_kush.htm http://www.asiasocietymuseum.org/region_results.asp?RegionID=1&CountryID=1&ChapterID=1&ViewText=True http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kushan_Empire http://coinindia.com/galleries-kushan.html

D: 2.9cm (with bezel). Gold, inset with a semi-precious stone http://jameelcentre.ashmolean.org/object/EA1996.103

Stuppa supported by winged lions, Gandhara, 1st century AD. Gandhara: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gandhara Kushan period: http://www.metmuseum.org/toah/hd/kush/hd_kush.htm http://www.asiasocietymuseum.org/region_results.asp?RegionID=1&CountryID=1&ChapterID=1&ViewText=True http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kushan_Empire http://coinindia.com/galleries-kushan.html Stupa: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Stupa

H:14.5cm; W: 8.3cm. Bronze, cast and gilded http://jameelcentre.ashmolean.org/object/EA1993.8

Relief fragment depicting Prince Siddhartha, the future Buddah, cutting his hair with a small sword, prior to becoming a wandering ascetic, and an attendant taking his discarded turban, 1st century AD, Gandhara, Kushan Period. Gandhara: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gandhara Kushan period: http://www.metmuseum.org/toah/hd/kush/hd_kush.htm http://www.asiasocietymuseum.org/region_results.asp?RegionID=1&CountryID=1&ChapterID=1&ViewText=True http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kushan_Empire http://coinindia.com/galleries-kushan.html Siddhartha/Buddha: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gautama_Buddha http://www.ancientindia.co.uk/buddha/home_set.html

H:29.5cm; W: 25.3cm. Schist, carved http://jameelcentre.ashmolean.org/object/EA1997.246

H:10.5cm; W: 3.4cm. Bone, carved http://jameelcentre.ashmolean.org/object/EA1991.54

Mirror handle with a figure of a yaksha, 1st century BC- 1st century AD, from Kaushambi, Uttar Pradesh, North India. Kaushambi: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kaushambi_district Yaksha: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Yakshini http://yakshi.in/yakshi

H: 8.6cm; W: 6.6cm. Dark-red sandstone http://jameelcentre.ashmolean.org/object/EA2000.25

Female head with sun and moon tattoo on the cheeks, 1st century BC-1st century AD, possibly from Bharhut, North India. Bharhut: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bharhut

Reliquary in the form of a stupa, 1st century AD. Stupa: Gandhara: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gandhara Kushan period: http://www.metmuseum.org/toah/hd/kush/hd_kush.htm http://www.asiasocietymuseum.org/region_results.asp?RegionID=1&CountryID=1&ChapterID=1&ViewText=True http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kushan_Empire http://coinindia.com/galleries-kushan.html Stupa: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Stupa

H: 11.5cm; D: 6.8cm. Schist http://jameelcentre.ashmolean.org/object/EA1978.127

H: 7.1cm; W: 11.2cm. Green steatite, carved http://jameelcentre.ashmolean.org/object/EA1993.24

Lid or palette with a figure of the drunken Heracles supported by two female attendants, 1st-2nd century AD. Gandhara: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gandhara Kushan period: http://www.metmuseum.org/toah/hd/kush/hd_kush.htm http://www.asiasocietymuseum.org/region_results.asp?RegionID=1&CountryID=1&ChapterID=1&ViewText=True http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kushan_Empire http://coinindia.com/galleries-kushan.html Greco-Buddhist art: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Greco-Buddhist_art Heracles: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Heracles

H: 13.5cm; W: 14cm. Red sandstone, carved http://jameelcentre.ashmolean.org/object/EOS.34

Fragmentary stele with a goddess, 1st-2nd century AD, from Mathura. Mathura: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mathura Kushan period: http://www.metmuseum.org/toah/hd/kush/hd_kush.htm http://www.asiasocietymuseum.org/region_results.asp?RegionID=1&CountryID=1&ChapterID=1&ViewText=True http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kushan_Empire http://coinindia.com/galleries-kushan.html

Fragmentary hand and forearm from the Buddha, in fear-dispelling gesture, with the Wheel of Dharma on the palm representing Buddha’s teaching, 2nd century AD from Mathura. Kushan period: http://www.metmuseum.org/toah/hd/kush/hd_kush.htm http://www.asiasocietymuseum.org/region_results.asp?RegionID=1&CountryID=1&ChapterID=1&ViewText=True http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kushan_Empire http://coinindia.com/galleries-kushan.html Buddha: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Buddha Wheel of Dharma: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dharmacakra http://www.aboutdharma.org/dharma-wheel.php/

H: 55cm; W: 40cm. Pink sandstone http://jameelcentre.ashmolean.org/object/EA1997.186

H: 28cm; W: 32cm. Pink sandstone http://jameelcentre.ashmolean.org/object/EA1996.76

Fragmentary figure of a crouching yaksha, 2nd century AD, from the Mathura district. Kushan Period: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kushan_Empire Yaksha: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Yaksha

H:19.5cm; W: 13.7cm. Schist, craved http://jameelcentre.ashmolean.org/object/EA1997.3

Fragmentary bust of the goddess Hariti, 2nd century AD, possibly from Hadda. Hadda: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hadda,_Afghanistan Gandhara: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gandhara Kushan period: http://www.metmuseum.org/toah/hd/kush/hd_kush.htm http://www.asiasocietymuseum.org/region_results.asp?RegionID=1&CountryID=1&ChapterID=1&ViewText=True http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kushan_Empire http://coinindia.com/galleries-kushan.html Hariti: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hariti Greco-Buddhist art: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Greco-Buddhist_art

Standing figure of the Buddha Sakyamuni (‘the awakened one of the Shakya Clan’), raising his right hand in a fear-dispelling gesture, late 2nd century – early 3rd AD, Gandhara. Kushan period: http://www.metmuseum.org/toah/hd/kush/hd_kush.htm http://www.asiasocietymuseum.org/region_results.asp?RegionID=1&CountryID=1&ChapterID=1&ViewText=True http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kushan_Empire http://coinindia.com/galleries-kushan.html Buddha: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Buddha

H: 95cm; W: 37cm. Grey schist http://jameelcentre.ashmolean.org/object/EAOS.26

H:37cm; W: 42cm. Grey schist, craved http://jameelcentre.ashmolean.org/object/EAOS.3

Relief depicting the birth of Siddhartha Gautama, the future Buddha, emerging from the right side of Queen Maya, who is standing in a grove, and being received by the god Indra, late 2nd century – early 3rd AD Kushan period: http://www.metmuseum.org/toah/hd/kush/hd_kush.htm http://www.asiasocietymuseum.org/region_results.asp?RegionID=1&CountryID=1&ChapterID=1&ViewText=True http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kushan_Empire http://coinindia.com/galleries-kushan.html Buddha: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Buddha Indra: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Indra

Statue of a teaching Bodhisattva, making the gesture of teaching or turning the Wheel of Dharma. Below two figures performing a fire ritual, Gandhara, 150-250AD. Gandhara: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gandhara Kushan period: http://www.metmuseum.org/toah/hd/kush/hd_kush.htm http://www.asiasocietymuseum.org/region_results.asp?RegionID=1&CountryID=1&ChapterID=1&ViewText=True http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kushan_Empire http://coinindia.com/galleries-kushan.html Bodhisattva: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bodhisattva Wheel of Dharma: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dharmacakra http://www.aboutdharma.org/dharma-wheel.php/

H:58cm; W: 30cm. Schist, carved http://jameelcentre.ashmolean.org/object/EAOS.24

Relief depicting the death of the Buddha (Mahaparinirvana) at the age of eighty, reclining in a grove of trees, Gandhara, late 2nd/early 3rd century AD. Gandhara: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gandhara Kushan period: http://www.metmuseum.org/toah/hd/kush/hd_kush.htm http://www.asiasocietymuseum.org/region_results.asp?RegionID=1&CountryID=1&ChapterID=1&ViewText=True http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kushan_Empire http://coinindia.com/galleries-kushan.html Mahaparinirvana: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mahayana_Mahaparinirvana_Sutra http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Parinirvana Buddah: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gautama_Buddha

H: 38.5cm; W: 39.5cm. Schist, (grey), carved http://jameelcentre.ashmolean.org/object/EAOS.10

H: 14cm; W: 9cm. Stucco. http://jameelcentre.ashmolean.org/object/EA1958.2

Head of a man, 2nd half of the 3rd century – first half of the 4th AD, Gandhara. Kushan: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kushan_Empire http://www.metmuseum.org/toah/hd/kush/hd_kush.htm

H: 14.2cm; W: 9cm. Clay, unfired http://jameelcentre.ashmolean.org/object/EA1993.22

Head of an ascetic, 4th century AD, Gandhara.

H: 62cm; W: 35cm. Pink sandstone, carved http://jameelcentre.ashmolean.org/object/EA1996.77

Fragmentary standing Vishnu as a four-armed princely figure wearing a crown, garland and jewelley, ‘early Gupta style’, from the Mathura district, 4th century AD. Kushan: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kushan_Empire Gupta empire: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gupta_Empire Mathura: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mathura Vishnu: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vishnu

Head of a bodhisattva, 4th century AD. Gandhara: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gandhara Kushan period: http://www.metmuseum.org/toah/hd/kush/hd_kush.htm http://www.asiasocietymuseum.org/region_results.asp?RegionID=1&CountryID=1&ChapterID=1&ViewText=True http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kushan_Empire http://coinindia.com/galleries-kushan.html Bodhisattva: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bodhisattva

H: 13cm; W: 8.3cm. Stucco http://jameelcentre.ashmolean.org/object/EA1996.60

H: 19.7cm; W: 43cm. Terracotta http://jameelcentre.ashmolean.org/object/EA1971.13

Plaque with a makara from the Mathura district, 2nd half of the 4th century-1st half of the 5th. Gupta empire: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gupta_Empire Mathura: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mathura Makara: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Makara_(Hindu_mythology)

D: 21mm. Weight: 7.47g. Gold, struck HCR 6574

Gupta coin (dinar/stater) of Samudra Gupta (reg. 335-375) with a sacrificial horse and an inscription Si (Brahmi) on the obverse and a queen holding a fly-whisk and needle and inscription Aswamedha Parakramah (Brahmi) on the reverse. Gupta empire: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gupta_Empire Brahmi: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Brahmi

D: 18mm. Weight: 7.81g. Gold, struck HCR 6575

Gupta coin (dinar/stater) of Chandra Gupta II Vikramaditya (reg. 375-415) with king holding a bow to kill a lion on the obverse and a goddess seated on a lion, holding a lotus and an inscription Simha Vikramah (Brahmi) on the reverse. Gupta empire: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gupta_Empire Brahmi: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Brahmi

D: 17.5mm. Weight: 17.5g. Gold, struck HCR 6580

Gupta coin of Kumara Gupta I Mahendraditya (reg. 416-455) with king riding a horse while killing a rhinoceros on the obverse and Ganges standing with an attendant holding an umbrella. Gupta empire: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gupta_Empire Ganges: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ganges

Gupta coin (stater/dinar) of Kumara Gupta I Mahendraditya (reg. 416-455) with king riding an elephant while killing a lion on the obverse and a goddess standing and feeding a peacock and an inscription Simhanihanta Mahendragajah (Brahmi). Gupta empire: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gupta_Empire Ganges: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ganges

D: 18.5mm. Weight: 7.95g. Gold, struck HCR 6579

D: 20mm. Weight: 9.1g. Gold, struck HCR 6581

Gupta coin (dinar/stater) of Skanda Gupta Kramaditya (reg. 455-475) on horse back on the obverse and a goddess seated and an inscription Kramaajitah (Brahmi) on the reverse. Gupta empire: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gupta_Empire Brahmi script: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Brahmi

H: 12cm; L: 29cm. Terracotta, incised http://jameelcentre.ashmolean.org/object/EAX.404

Brick inscribed with the Sutra on Dependent Origination, with Sanskrit text in the Gupta script, from Gorakhpur (Gopalpur), late 5th-early 6th century AD. Gopalpur: http://www.geonames.org/1202051/gopalpur.html Gupta empire: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gupta_Empire Gupta (Late Brahmi) script: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gupta_script Sanskrit: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sanskrit http://www.sanskrit.org/www/Sanskrit/sanskrit.htm Sutra: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sutra

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gupta_Empire

http://www.metmuseum.org/toah/ht/?period=04&region=ssa

http://www.metmuseum.org/toah/ht/?period=05&region=ssa

Ancient India

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