Studies in Indian Art c7.s2.46

c7.s2.46

The cultural history of the Gupta Age stretched itself into the 7th century. The *Kādambarī* and the *Harshacharita* of Bāṇa written in the time of Harsha provide us with art evidence about iconography, ornamentation, drapery, decorative motifs, furniture, utensils, trappings of horses and elephants, etc., which is extremely valuable for an understanding of the material culture of the transitional period between the Gupta and the medieval epochs. The importance of the *Harshacharita* as a cultural treatise cannot be over-estimated. I have recently come across references there to two kinds of foreign imported textiles, firstly *Stavaraka* manufactured in Iran and exported on one side to India and on the other to Arabia where it finds mention in the description of the raiments of the Houries in Paradise; and secondly to a textile of Central Asian origin called *Pringa* which was a kind of damask silk of one colour. The many coloured striped drapery of Ajanta is referred to as *Indrayudhambara* the cloth resembling the rainbow; the tie and dye process is also mentioned. This varied material has to be properly presented and interpreted in the light of the actual evidence from art.