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
34 (of 43)
External source: Shodhganga (Repository of Indian theses)
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mainly in the Saka-Parthian strata at Taxila. Animal beads were mostly found
from 艢aka-Parthian level in Sirkap. The animals represented are lions, birds,
frogs, tortoises, elephants, rams, monkey and bull. The lion, of which five
specimens were found from Sirkap, was symbolical of the Buddha, the 'lion of
the Sakyas' and likely, therefore, to be popular in a stronghold of Buddhism
such as Taxila.鹿 Finger-rings with flat almond shaped bezels recall Scythic
types with Hellenistic influence. It is evident from the designs themselves that
the jewellery found at Taxila, the manner in which the gems are applied, and
the style of incrustation which arose at Taxila in the first century A.D. were the
direct outcome of the Saka-Parthian occupation .We have already seen that in
the Scythian jewellery, incrustation was very much popular. Hairpins from
Taxila have bird-on-tree motifs. This bird-on-tree motif has definite Scythian
connections. Gold ear-pendants of 鈥榙isk-and pendant' types have been found
from 艢aka-Parthian strata in Sirkap, dated in the first century A.D. An
interesting gold ear pendant from Taxila虏 has motifs of rosettes and leaves
which were inlaid with turquoise paste. The ornament consists of two pieces
joined by a hook. The lower piece consists of an amphora in the centre, and on
either side of it is an infant Eros riding on a winged sea-lion. Four plaited
chains hang from the latter and end in a pearl and leaf terminal. The motif of
1 Ibid., Vol.II, p. 748.
2 Ibid., Vol.III, Pl. 190 c.
