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 5 - Scythian (Saka) elements in the Early Art of India
25 (of 43)
External source: Shodhganga (Repository of Indian theses)
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184
shaped store-jars鹿 were also common. Bell-shaped虏 carinated vessels in bronze
and copper have also shown Scythian affinities. Jugs with two handles like the
amphoraes were fairly present in the Scytho-Parthian levels. Beakers with deep
flared mouths became popular under the 艢akas and Parthians. These beakers
had the svastika motifs. Usage of deep flared mouths was commonly practised
by the Saka/Scythians in their inventory of utility objects. Vessels of copper
and bronze with projecting nail heads鲁 were also common in Taxila. Such nail
heads were similarly seen in metal utility vessels of the Scythian barrows in the
western section. The 艢aka-Parthian strata at Taxila also yielded clay vessels
with nail head imitations of metal originals. Interestingly, inkpots in the form of
small vases with wide mouths, and usually with two lug-ears, 4 have been
found. These are reminiscent of the Gaimanova Mogila vessels' lug ears (Plate
8).5 艢aka and Parthian influences, yet again, manifest themselves in shapes
and decorative motifs on stoppers which were surmounted by grotesque heads
of animals, parts of animals, and even by recumbent forms. Some variations
were there at Taxila regarding utility objects. There was some sort of mass
usage of utility vessels of the Saka/Scythian style. Earlier, from Tillya-tepe and
1 Ibid., Pl. 121, no. 3.
2 Ibid., Pl. 123, no. 6.
3 Ibid., Pl. 174, nos. 255-258.
* Ibid., Pl. 125, no. 142.
5 Scy. Art., Pl. 166.
