Ancient Indian Costume c7.14

c7.14

These Gandhara figures are some of the most intriguing sculptures of the Kushan period, and may well show the beginning of the sari and one of the earlier attempts to create a garment to cover the breasts. This would fall under the category of a mixture of foreign and indigenous garments. In yet another female figure we find a Persian-influenced knee or mid-thigh length tunic, *stanamsuka*, worn with the *antariya*. The latter is not passed between the legs as in the *kachcha* style, but is worn crossed-over in the *lehnga* style. Simple stitched skirts, *ghagri*, with a side seam and *nada* or string to hold them up at the waist are also seen. They are gathered in folds from lengths of about 6–8 feet, and have a decorative border at the hem and at the centre front seam. The tunic, *stanamsuka*, is form-fitting with long sleeves, a simple round neckline, and flaring at the hemline. Besides the above mentioned, the *lehnga* style *antariya* and the *uttariya* is sometimes worn. But very little in the way of elaborate jewellery is used.