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—a 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 5 - Scythian (Saka) elements in the Early Art of India
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Oba.¹ The Tillya-tepe rosettes are also similar to the rosettes bordering the
lower edge of the boat-shaped pendants of Kul-Oba (Plates 148,149,27).²
Hollow and boat-shaped earring clips (Plate 150) with two soldered halves are
yet another fascinating group from Tillya-tepe³ ornaments. The terminals of the
clips are embellished with an identical ornamental design. There is the
distinguished motif of a chain row of equilateral triangles, and further down, a
chain of lozenges. This boat-shaped form was frequently used in the Scythian
jewellery, especially in the Kul-Oba ear ornament, Novoselitsy gold earrings, 4
and those from Krasnoye Znamya, Novozavedennoe, Kabardino-Balkariya5 and
Volkovtsy (Plates 17,18).6
Another Scythian motif of the ram horn continued in the Saka/Scythian
period. Brooch-plates in the shape of ram horns (Plates 151,152) have been
encountered at Tillya-tepe, burials 5 and 3,7 and they are similar to those
found from Tulkhar, Sokolova Mogila and Nogaichik.8 Plaques of different
shapes, geometrical and otherwise seem to have carried the Scythian legacy at
1 Ibid., Figs. 4-7.
2 Scy. Art., Pls. 130, 133,134.
3 Bac. Gol., Pl.32.
4 Scy. Art, Pls. 247,248.
S.V. Makhortykh, ‘Scythians and Sarmatians of the Northern
Caucasus; Recent Archaeological Finds', Anc. Civ. Scy Sib., Vol. 1, p.60,Fig. 1.
6 Scy. Art., Pls. 115, 116.
7 Bac. Gol., p.255. Fig.12; p.239, Figs.30-31.
8 Cf. M. Y. Treister's article cited in Footnote No.26 above, pp. 154,155.
