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 6 - Scythian (Saka) elements in the Later Art of India
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Excavations at Ahichchhatra show continuous levels of occupation
from Stratum VIII, dated in the 300 - 200 B.C. to Stratum IV, dated in the
100 鈥� 350 A.D. Pottery shards from Stratum IV show certain motifs, which
could be equated with the Saka/Scythian motifs. These motifs include twin
fishes, rosettes, nandipadas (which were also found from Taxila) and snakes
flanking a central pillar.鹿 Votive tanks found at Ahichchhatra虏 are similar to
the votive tanks from Taxila. According to some scholars, these votive tanks
could be of indigenous origin.
Kaus膩mb墨 was an important urban centre during the first centuries
of the Christian era. Terracotta figures (Plate 210),鲁 from 艢aka-Parthian
levels have the typical conical caps. Also goblets with flat and footed bases
were found. A terracotta drummer (Plate 211) with a peaked cap4, definitely
displays 艢aka/Scythian influence. Other terracotta figures, with their
dresses and decorations, somehow reflect the Saka-Pahlava style of Seleucia
and Dura. Stratigraphically, they all belong to the first and second centuries
1 A. Ghosh, K.C.Panigrahi, Pottery Of Ahichchhatra', Ancient India, 1946, No. 1,
p.46.
2 V.S.Agrawala, Terracotta figurines Of Ahichchhatra', Ancient India, No. 4. 1947-
48, pp. 125-126.
鲁 G.R.Sharma, 鈥楨xcavations at Kausambi, 1949-50', Memoirs of The Archaeological
Survey of India, No. 74, Fig. 34.
4 * G.R.Sharma, 鈥楨xcavations at Kausambi, 1957-59', Pl. XXXB.
