Indian Art: A History of Indian Art from the Earliest Times up to the Third Century A.D. c14.12

c14.12

On the ancient route were situated Shahbajgarhi, Hoti-Mardan and finally Pushkalāvatī (mod. Charsadda). Kālidāsa has mentioned Takshaśilā and Pushkalāvatī as two capitals of Gandhāra the people of which region were known as the Gandharvas in the Gupta period. The site is more commonly known as Hashṭanagar where a well known pedestal of Hārītī image dated in the year 384 of an unknown era was found. The another site in viccinity is Balahisar where the Stūpa of the Gift of the Eyes or the Kuṇāla Stūpa has been identified by Foucher and some coins of Kanishka and as well as a statuette in schist were found. At Mir-ziarat some coins of Menander, Hermaios, Azes and a coin of Kanishka with Buddha on reverse were found. At Palṭūḍherī was found the Buddha of Hashṭanagar and many other bas-reliefs showing the Dīpaṅkara Jātaka, Abhinishkramaṇa and statues of Buddha and Bodhisattva. North of Charsadda was a belt of ancient monuments, e. g. at Skara-ḍheri was the Stūpa of Hārītī where an image dated in the year 319 was found. At Sahri-bahlol which was an ancient site in a line to the east of Hārītī Stūpa was found a Stūpa with decoration showing a series of seatel Buddhas in stucco between Indo-Corithian pillars and also atlantes and elephants. [Fig. 186]. Many freestanding sculptures and Buddhist statues including scenes from Buddha’s life, Birth, Enlightenment, First Sermon, Parinirvāṇa, Casting of Horoscope by Asita, Dīpaṅkara Jātaka, Conversion of Kāśyapa, Submission of Nalagiri, Kubera and Hārītī and statues of Bodhisattva were found in situ.