Studies in Indian Art c12.s8.4

c12.s8.4

The nativity group is reproduced by P.C. Mookerji on plate XXIVa of his book by wood-cut block. Mr. Dube's photograph is so far as I know the first photographic illustration of this important sculpture, although one wishes that this photo were more distinct. I have not seen the original myself, but on stylistic grounds I do not think it can be assigned to the reign of Aśoka. The oblique fold of the *Dhoti* running from the knee of the proper right leg to the thigh of the left leg of Māyādevī is a typical Kushāṇa feature. The wavy flowing locks of Mahā-Prajāpati Gautamī also cannot be a Mauryan feature. Although the details of the Indra’s head are defaced, there is a suggestion of the projecting high crown on his head as seen in Kushāṇa representations of this deity. The fourth figure on left is not a female but male attendant wearing a foliated *mukuṭa* typical of the male figures in Kushāṇa art. In Mookorji’s wood-cut illustrations he is bearing a cloth band round the chest (*Vaksha-Bandhana*) which is seen on other Kushāṇa sculptures also. On grounds of style, therefore, I think it is warranted to assign it to the early Kushāṇa period, or more precisely the reign of Kanishka.