Arts of the Mauryan Period

By the fourth century BCE

By the fourth century BCE the Mauryas established their power, and by the third century BCE a large part of India was under Mauryan control. Ashoka wa

Mauryan pillars were rock

Mauryan pillars were rock-cut pillars carved from single stone. Their tops carried capital figures such as the bull, lion, elephant, and others, stand

The Lion Capital from Sarnath

The Lion Capital from Sarnath is the finest example of Mauryan sculptural tradition and is also the National Emblem of Independent India without the c

The Sarnath pillar capital symbolises Dhammachakrapravartana

The Sarnath pillar capital symbolises Dhammachakrapravartana, the first sermon of the Buddha. The chakra with twenty-four spokes on the abacus strengt

Large statues of Yakshas and Yakshinis

Large statues of Yakshas and Yakshinis were found at places like Patna, Vidisha, and Mathura. They are mostly standing figures with polished surfaces.