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| Home > Indian Sculptures > Development of Sculptures > Khushan Empire
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| | Sculpture in Khushan Empire
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The Ancient Sculptures of Khushan Empire
In ancient India, the age before the Khushans is of the Mauryan dynasty, which is known for the greatness of the empire. However, the reasons like weak rulers and the subsequent weakening of the highly centralized administrative structure resulted in the decline of the Mauryan Empire. And the post-Mauryan period i.e. from 185 BC to AD 300 is marked for the emergence of a number of kingdoms all over the Indian subcontinent. Some of these states were small, while others like that of the Kushans were quite large. This period of Khushans witnessed a spurt in migrations into India, rise in foreign trade, and development of art. Even the art especially sculptural art of this period is the point of attention.
Kushan Art
 Certainly, the rulers from Kushans were great patrons of art. Even it is said that the principles for making sculptural images were formed under the rule of the Kushans, continued to influence the art of sculpturing in later period. During this time, Buddha was first shown in human form in this region. Earlier to this period, he was represented by using various symbols like lotus and footsteps. Not only Buddhist art was developed but also other Hindu and Jain deities from India began to be portrayed in human form.
During the time of the Kushans, the two main centers of art were Mathura and Gandhara. Both the schools had developed their own distinct styles, known as, the Gandhara School of Art and the Mathura School of Art. The art of Gandhara School seems to be highly influenced by Greco-Roman philosophies and therefore mainly emphasized on depicting the image of the Buddha and the legends associated with his life. But art of the Mathura School had more local flavour as the sculptures had taken inspiration from local folk deities and themes from day-to-day life.
Gandhara School
 The Khushan period is remembered till today mostly for the sculptures of Gandhara art. Most of the artists and sculptors belonging to this school were highly influenced by Greek style and had given respect for ideals of beauty and sculpture making. So, the Greco-Roman influence, which is now known as Hellenistic art, is evident from the Kushan sculptures of Gandhara.
Among the all, the most striking feature resulted from this influence is representation of Buddha in the Apollo-like form. Apollo is a Greek god of light, the god of prophesy or the god of poetry and music. In this representation, Buddha is often depicted as having a youthful, almond-shaped face marked with full lips and long straight nose. The hairs are shown as spiral or curly and the body of the Buddha is covered with the help of well-defined delicate drapery, which are the other important influences of Hellenistic art.
The artists from this school also left the artistic traces of them in carving on stone. Most of these stone sculptures are depicting scenes from the life of Buddha and Buddhist stories from the Jataka tales. Apart from carving the entire images relating to Buddha, the sculptors also made studies of heads and icons depicting young men, women, and children. These sculptures are very important from the point of view of studying expressions of human features. The material used by the sculptors in Gandhara are generally grayish schist stone and stucco i.e. a mixture of lime and clay, used in the later period.
 The most popular Gandharan image of Buddha representing in the Bodhisattva is excellent. The Buddha who attains enlightenment and successfully escapes from the cycle of death and rebirth but still chooses to remain on earth to help others in achieving salvation is depicted. The ideal of the Bodhisattva is one of the basic tenets of Mahayana Buddhism. Can be marked with heroic in scale and conception, the majestic torso of this period is stunning in its visual impact.
Depiction of Kushan devotees in the art of Gandhara is primarily noted the excellence in presentation. The style of the standing Buddha statue that is incorporating Kushan devotees can be said as strongly indianized form in sculptures.
Mathura School
The artistic tradition of this school has influenced the presentation of sculptures. The artists from this school drew their inspiration mainly from images and legends of folk  deities, called Yakshas and Yakshis and other local gods and goddesses. The local cultural and religious icons were strengthened by this art. The representation of the beauty of the female in sculpturing forms of images was the specialty of their art. The style that is perpetuated by this school can be easily marked by female figures, which are sensuous and voluptuous. But at the counterpart, the men are represented as being sophisticated and urbane in appearance. Some of the striking features of the artists of Mathura are -They succeeded in creating the ideal Indian beauty, which can be marked by oval faced with ample breasts, slender waist, and broad hips. Most of the figures fulfill these criterias.
Apart from depiction of beautiful features of body with presented through different poses  and scenes from day-to-day life, the sculptors also depicted different Hindu deities. The stories or legends and myths associated with them also found the expression from sculptures. The artists also engaged in depiction of various Jain deities. From the series of Jain images, sculptures of tirthakaras were also shown and the important ones are Ayagapattas or homage stone tablets. This sculpture is carved with auspicious symbols like fish, flag, jewel box, etc. The material used by sculptors from Mathura were mottled red sandstone, which was quarried close to Agra.
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