Essay name: Scythian Elements in early Indian Art
Author:
Swati Ray
Affiliation: University of Calcutta / Department of Ancient Indian History and Culture
This essay studies Scythian Elements in early Indian Art鈥攁 topic that has not garnered extensive scholarly attention. Although much research has focused on various aspects of Saka/Scythian culture, such as politics and numismatics, their contribution to Indian art remains underexplored. This essay delves into archaeological evidence, historical texts, and art forms from Eurasian steppes to decipher the Scythian impact.
Chapter 4 - Scythian / Saka Art
71 (of 115)
External source: Shodhganga (Repository of Indian theses)
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of gold reindeer from Chilikta were found with remnants of a leather quiver
and arrows and gold plating decorated with 24 figures of deer in separately
stamped compartments like the one from Kelermes (Plate 50) in the
Caucacus.1
The golden skeleton from Issyk kurgan makes abundantly clear the
extent to which the Saka would literally robe a person in gold at the time of
burial. But whether the Issyk burial was that of a man or a woman is a
mystery虏 as new evidence suggests that the buried in the Issyk kurgan was
a woman. The body had been attired in boots, trousers, and a leather tunic
decorated with some 2,400 arrow shaped gold plaques. Thirteen gold deer
heads flanked by three gold plaques of moose with unusual twisted torsos
(Plates 85 and 86) had been sewn to a belt.鲁 Snow leopards with gaping
mouths decorated a gold torque found around the neck of the skeleton.
Plaques of horses with twisted torsos decorated scabbards that held an iron
dagger and a sword. These ceremonial weapons, both embellished with gold
animals, lay beside the remains. A short sword or dagger like the akinakes
from Filippovka (Plate 67)4 has also been found. The hilt is composed of
1 Ibid., Pl. 142.
2 鲁 J. Davis-Kimball, 'Chieftain or Warrior Priestess ?', Archaeology, Sept.-Oct. 1997,
p.41.
3 Gol.De.Eur., p.7, Figs.4,5.
4 * Gol.De.Eur., p.7, Figs. 4,5.
