Maurya and Shunga Art c16.15

c16.15

Fig. 14. Barhut (Nagod State, Baghelkhand). Ajātaśatru Rail-pillar. From bottom : (1) Great Miracle at Sravasti at the foot of the Gandamba tree ; (2) Buddha's descent from Tushita heaven by a ladder ; (3) Preaching of Abhidharma in Tushita heaven. It can be seen at once that these scenes are all completely devoid of any free and flowing linear rhythm ; the figures are hard and isolated and the compositions are regulated in a schematic manner by vertical and horizontal lines. It is only an agitated display of light and darkness that disturb the otherwise static character of the scenes. This is the other trend in Barhut. C. 150 B. C. Indian Musuem. Photo : A. S. I.