Studies in Indian Art c12.s8.7

c12.s8.7

A red sand-stone pillar in the Lucknow Museum (No. J. 533; ht. 4' 8½" × 10" × 11") unearthed in 1890 by Dr. Führer in the ruins of the Kankali Tila, Mathura, is worthy of special attention. It was published by Smith on Pl. XXVII of the *Jaina Stupa of Mathura* and also in the *Journal of Indian Art and Industry* for October 1893 (Pl. 86 of No. 44 of Vol. V), but without any explanation of the scenes depicted. From the cultural point of view the sculpture is a worthy document of the rich and picturesque life of the Kushāṇa period illustrating scenes of dance, music, sports, drinking and toilet past-times. Although the spiritual faith of the people was grounded in the teachings of the Buddha, Mahāvīra or Bhāgavata Vaishṇavism during the early centuries of the Christian era at Mathura, yet behind the religious facade we meet with a free and frank enjoyment of life in all its aspects.