[Pramāṇa](https://indike.org/pramana/) › [Studies](https://indike.org/pramana/ins) › [Reference works](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.reference) › [An Encyclopaedia of Indian Archaeology](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.reference.ghosh-1989) › v1.c17.s6.7 # An Encyclopaedia of Indian Archaeology v1.c17.s6.7 An Encyclopaedia of Indian Archaeology v1.c17.s6.7 - **Language:** English ### [v1.c17.s6.7](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.reference.ghosh-1989.v1.c17.s6.7) A definite evidence of the mother goddess cult is seen in a large number of miniature stone discs \[12.3.9\] of about the 3rd-2nd centuries B.C found from Bihar to the n.-w. at PĀṬALIPUTRA (Murtaziganj), VAISALI, SANKISA, RAJGHAT⁴, BHITA, JHUSI, KAUŚĀMBĪ, Kara, PURANA QILA, MATHURA, ROPAR and Taxila. These discs represent the steatopygous goddess with schematic curls, torque and girdle who stands in a frontal hieratic pose as on the gold plaques from LAURIYA-NANDANGARH and PIPRAHWA. The seasonal fertility drama is enacted on some discs and a RAJGIR steatite plaque showing the male partner of the goddess propitiating her, offering her a cup and playing a musical instrument. The goddess is shown here as a supreme figure with a subordinate male partner. She is associated with animals, birds, lotus, palm tree and the crescent moon which suggest her relationship with the Nana-Artemis-Diana group of fertility goddess. - [Previous: v1.c17.s6.6](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.reference.ghosh-1989.v1.c17.s6.6) - [Next: v1.c17.s6.8](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.reference.ghosh-1989.v1.c17.s6.8) - [Up: v1.c17.s6](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.reference.ghosh-1989.v1.c17.s6) ## Linked texts (11) - [Kauśāmbī](https://indike.org/pramana/inp.site.kausambi) - [Piprahwa](https://indike.org/pramana/inp.site.piprahwa) - [Vaiśālī](https://indike.org/pramana/inp.site.vaisali) - [Pāṭaliputra](https://indike.org/pramana/inp.site.pataliputra) - [Jhusi](https://indike.org/pramana/inp.site.jhusi) - [Sankisa](https://indike.org/pramana/inp.site.sankisa) - [Purana Qila](https://indike.org/pramana/inp.site.purana-qila) - [Lauriya-Nandangarh](https://indike.org/pramana/inp.site.lauriya-nandangarh) - [Bhita](https://indike.org/pramana/inp.site.bhita) - [Kara](https://indike.org/pramana/inp.site.kara) - [Rajgiri](https://indike.org/pramana/inp.site.rajgiri) --- Source: [https://indike.org/pramana/ins.reference.ghosh-1989.v1.c17.s6.7](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.reference.ghosh-1989.v1.c17.s6.7) · Pramāṇa