National Museum, New Delhi

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Archaeology

Archaeology Collections

After the Indus Valley Civilization, India came into the age of different rulers and dynasties. During the ancient and medieval period of Indian history, many dynasties like the Maurya, Shunga, Satavahana, Kushana, Gupta, Vardhanas, Pratiharas (in the north), Palas, Sena (in the east), Maitrakas (in the west), Chola, Chalukya, Hoysalas, Vijayanagar, Nayakas (in the south) has emerged in a different part of India. Various type of art was patronized during this period which includes religious structures, Fort, Mausoleums, and sculptures made of different materials etc. Many selected examples of various art style, which flourished simultaneously in different regions are exhibited in the “Maurya, Sunga and Satavahana Art”, “Kushan and Ikshvaku Art”, “Gupta Art, Early and late Medieval Art” Galleries of National Museum, Delhi.

Archaeology Collections

Ardhanarisvara 47.109/13 Bronze Vijayanagar, South India 15th Century CE Ht. 71.0 cm., Wd. 33.0 cm., Dep. 25.5 cm. This is a four-armed and three-eyed figure of Ardhanarisvara, standing on a lotus pedestal, with a rectangular base. The arms are bifurcated at the shoulders. The upper right hand holds a parasu (axe) between the first and second fingers in tripataka-mudra (now damaged); the upper left hand holds the stalk of a lotus bud. The lower right hand is at rest (as if on Nandi), the lower left in katyavalambita pose. The hair is braided to the left and arranged in jata-mukuta fashion to the right, with locks falling on the back. A siris-chakra is behind the head.

Archaeology Collections

Bharata 69.49 Bronze Vijayanagar, South India. 14th Century CE 75.0 cm. x 31.2 cm, x 22.3 cm. Bharata, the younger brother of Rama, is said to have ruled the kingdom of Ayodhya with the latter’s sandals on the throne. This bronze sculpture depicts him carrying Rama’s sandals on his head as he returns after visiting Rama who was in exile. The sandals are placed on a cushion and he himself stands on the double lotus. The hooks on all four sides of the base were used to carry the image in ritual processions.

Archaeology Collections

Buddha head 47.20 Buff Chunar Sandstone Sarnath, Uttar Pradesh Gupta, 5th century, CE 26.6x16.2x21 cm The sculpture is made in soft buff colored chunar sandstone which showcases the characteristics of the Indian art which developed during the Gupta period. The Buddha head is marked by the most graceful features. Oval face, flat and strained cheeks, thick lips, sharp nose, half closed eyes, hair curls in snails with Usnisa (bun) on the top and elongated earlobes. Aesthetically it combines the highest vision (Drishti) with perfect form (Rupa), emotion (Bhava), grace and charm (Lavanya) and likeliness to ideal (Sadrishya).

Archaeology Collections

Bhu-Devi 48.4/262 Bronze Nayaka, South India 17th Century CE Ht. 25.3 cm., Wd. 7.7 cm., Dep. 7.3 cm. Bhu Devi, earth-goddess Prithivi, is differentiated by the absence of kuchabandha, makara kundala, and upavita or sacred thread. In this image the last feature is absent. She originally must have been part of a triad, flanking the image of Vishnu on the left along with his other consort, Sri-Devi, on the right.

Archaeology Collections

Flying Celestial L-55-22 Stone Aihole, Karnataka Western Chalukya, 7th cent. CE. 135x109x23 cms In the Deccan, over one hundred temples were built during the 7th and 8th Century under the early western Chalukyan Empire. Few of these had Jain in affiliation and the rest Hindu, reflecting the religious leanings of different emperors. This is a large slab carved in high relief showing a flying celestial couple. They are lightly floating amidst clouds. The female figure holds a fruit in her right hand in front of the chest and the left arm rests on the shoulder of the male figure.

Archaeology Collections

Mohini 50.190 Stone Gadag, Karnataka Western Chalukyan , 11th cent. CE. 92x41x18 cm Figure of Mohini is standing in a graceful pose under a fruit bearing tree. The trunk of the tree is to her proper right and a standing dwarf figure with the left hand raised above the head and the left resting on the hip, to her proper left. She is looking in a mirror held in her left hand. Her hair is arranged in schematic spirals, tied into a loop. She is profusely ornamented necklaces of pearls, a breast chain, stanottariya, etc. Her lower garments are fastened at the waist by a double ornamented band from which tassels are suspended.

Archaeology Collections

Saraswati 1/6/278 Marble Pallu, Bikaner, Rajasthan Chauhan, 12th century CE. 77 x 46 x 22 cm Saraswati, the Goddess of music, learning, eloquence and intelligence is basically the deity of Brahmanical pantheon where she is considered as the Sakti of Brahma. The four armed Saraswati standing on a lotus pedestal holds a lotus, a book, a rosary and a vase in her hands. The lower right hand is in varada mudra. The modelling of her limbs is very soft and delicate. She is bedecked with minutely carved ornaments. The attendant figures and devotees are also around.

Archaeology Collections

Buddha 87.1153 Schist Provenance Unknown Gandhara, 2nd century CE. Ht. 133.0 cm, wd. 51.0 cm, dep. 21.0 cm A life size stone image of Buddha is standing in abhayamudra. In his left hand he holds the hem of his garments. The present sculpture is typically Gandhara in style- marked by long flowing drapery placed loosely on the body with heavy schematic folds. The robes cover both the shoulders. He bears an urna mark on the forehead. The wavy hair is arranged in top-knot fashion.

Archaeology Collections

Surya 50.178 Stone Konarak, Orissa Eastern Ganga, 13th century CE. 189.2 x 89 cm This is one of the finest sculptures from the Sun temple of Konark and may have been installed for worship in the sanctum. Surya is depicted standing on a pedestal. He is profusely ornamented. A kirtimukha is seen on top with a pair of flying celestial at the extreme ends. Seven horses are shown on the base in front in three rectangular niches, driven by Aruna who is seated on pedestal. The figure is surrounded by a decorative arch that adds beauty to the image.

Archaeology Collections

Vishnu E. 6 Stone Mathura, Uttar Pradesh Gupta, 5th century CE. Ht. 109.0 cm, wd. 67.0 cm, dep. 22.0 cm This is a standing figure of Vishnu whose upper part of the body is nude, except that he wears an elaborate crown with mauli-mani on the head, a necklace of large pearls and another composed of beaded multi-strings armlets, ear-pendants, yajnopavita and a beautiful vanamala, passing behind the shoulders and over the arms near the elbows. The lower half of the body is clad in a waist-cloth with loose folds, secured by a cord. Traces of a halo around the head are visible.

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Archaeology Collections

Archaeology Collections