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    The document summarizes the key differences between the Gandhara and Mathura schools of art in ancient India. The Gandhara school was influenced by Greek styles and flourished under the Kushana dynasty in northwest India. It depicted spiritual Buddhas in greyish tones with fine details. The Mathura school was purely Indian in style and depicted joyful Buddhas in red sandstone at Mathura under the Kushana dynasty. It showed less spiritual figures and also depicted Hindu and Jain subjects.

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    The document summarizes the key differences between the Gandhara and Mathura schools of art in ancient India. The Gandhara school was influenced by Greek styles and flourished under the Kushana dynasty in northwest India. It depicted spiritual Buddhas in greyish tones with fine details. The Mathura school was purely Indian in style and depicted joyful Buddhas in red sandstone at Mathura under the Kushana dynasty. It showed less spiritual figures and also depicted Hindu and Jain subjects.

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    111 views2 pages

    Gandhara and Mathura School of Art Major Differences Art Culture Notes For UPSC

    Uploaded by

    Sree
    The document summarizes the key differences between the Gandhara and Mathura schools of art in ancient India. The Gandhara school was influenced by Greek styles and flourished under the Kushana dynasty in northwest India. It depicted spiritual Buddhas in greyish tones with fine details. The Mathura school was purely Indian in style and depicted joyful Buddhas in red sandstone at Mathura under the Kushana dynasty. It showed less spiritual figures and also depicted Hindu and Jain subjects.

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    UPSC Civil Services Examination

    UPSC Notes [GS-I]

    Topic: Gandhara and Mathura School of Art - Major Differences [Art &
    Culture Notes for UPSC]

    India has a rich and varied culture as characterized in the later art of the subcontinent, dating from the 14th
    through the 19th century. Art and culture is an important topic in the UPSC Exam. A substantial number of
    questions can be asked from the art and culture segment in UPSC Prelims as well as Mains examination.
    Here we are giving the major difference between Gandhara School of Art and Mathura school of Art.

    GANDHARA SCHOOL OF ARTS


    During Kushana rule the Gandhara art prospered in India. Above all, Kanishka, the greatest of the Kushanas
    was a famous backer of art and architecture. The Gandhara School of art flourished in his reign. Gandhara
    School was profoundly influenced by Greek methodologies.

    The figures of Buddha were more spiritual and carved mainly in grey and bluish-grey color with the finest
    detailing.

    MATHURA SCHOOL OF ARTS


    The Mathura School of Art was entirely influenced by Indianism. The stone used in the Mathura school of
    arts was red sandstone. The sculptures were less spiritual.

    They mostly used the spotted red sandstone for making sculptures and statues. The initial images of the
    Buddha and the Bodhisattva are happy and fleshy figures with little spirituality about them. The Mathura
    School of arts prided themselves on creating images of Buddha and they also made statues of many gods
    and goddesses such as Jain Tirthankaras.

    DIFFERENCE BETWEEN GANDHARA AND MATHURA SCHOOL OF ARTS


    Areas of differences Gandhara School of art Mathura School of Art

    Reign Kushana Dynasty Kushana Dynasty

    Area Northwest Frontier Mathura

    Outside influences Greek influence  Purely indigenous


     No foreign influence
    Religious influence Buddhism  Hinduism
    Hellenistic realism  Buddhism
     Jainism
     Secularism

    Material Used Bluish- Grey sandstone Spotted red sandstone


    Grey sandstone

    Features of Buddha Spiritual Buddha Delighted Buddha


    sculptures Sad Buddha Less spiritual
    Bearded Buddha Shaven head and face
    Less ornamentation Muscularity
    Great detailing Energetic
    Buddha in Yogi postures Graceful posture of Buddha
    Greek factors like wavy hair, Seated in Padmasana
    large forehead, long ears
    Buddha surrounded by two monks:
    Padmapani (holding Lotus) and Vajrapani(
    Holding Vajra)
    Halo around the head of Buddha decorated
    with geometrical motifs
    The Standing Buddhas of the Sravasti,
    Sarnath, and Kausambhi
    Sarvatobhadrika image of 4 Jain Jinas

    Various Mudras of Abhayamudra- Don’t fear —


    Buddha in Gandhara Bhumisparshamudra -Touching
    Art the earth
    Dhyana mudra- Meditation
    Dharmachakramudra- A
    preaching mudra

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