Encyclopedia of India–China Cultural Contacts v2.c11.79

v2.c11.79

Shule, Qiuci, Gaochang and other ancient kingdoms in the north of Silk Road all were the place of residence of Indian immigrants and greatly influenced by Indian Buddhism and Buddhist art. In Shule, Buddha discovered in early 20th century was of Gandhara style, or featured the Guptastyle Buddha shape. In Qiuci, there were more than 10 Buddhist grottoes like Kizil Grottoes. Kizil Grottoes played an important role in the eastward introduction of Buddhist grotto art. It had many remaining frescoes, and early works were deeply influenced by Gandhara art and traditional Indian painting. Character shape, clothes and painting techniques in some works had the similar style with that of Ajanta fresco. In Gaochang (present day Turpan), remaining carving and frescoes in grottoes temple were also influenced by the Gandhara art and Gupta art. The world famous Dunhuang Grottoes was the product blended by Gandhara art, Gupta art and Chinese local art. In addition, the early Chinese grottoes art works such as Tianti Mountain Grottoes in Wuwei, Gansu and Bingling Temple Grottoes in Yongjing originated from Qiuci grottoes, and they were influenced by Gandhara art and Gupta art, with obvious Indian style.