Minerals and Metals in Ancient India v1.c28.s1.t1: The Buddhist Relic Caskets
Minerals and Metals in Ancient India v1.c28.s1.t1
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The Buddhist Relic Caskets
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One of the earliest assortments of art objects related to the historical period has been excavated along with the Buddhist relic caskets from Piprahwa, district Basti, Uttar Pradesh. (Bhattacharyya, 1986-87; Ghosh, 1989, Vol. 1: 271-73) Within a sandstone coffer (1.33 m by 65 cm by 63 cm height) were found a number of steatite vases, some inscribed, indicating that the relics were those of Buddha himself. There were a loṭā-shaped steatite vessel and also an exquisitely polished crystal casket, 11.5 cm in maximum diameter and 10.5 cm height. The handle of the latter was in the shape of a hollow fish stuffed with seven gold bands having gold granulated six-petalled flowers and gold circular frames attached to them and several tiny beads in paste.
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Some wooden and silver vessels contained gold leaves impressed with swastikā, triratna, female figures, figures of lion and elephant, a gold disc impressed with profusely connected spiral of copper wire, perhaps a ring, a carnelian bird, a malachite bird, semi-precious stones, and charred bones, probably the relics of Gautama Buddha. The caskets dated to fifth-fourth centuries BC and their contents bespeak of the artistic splendour of ancient India of a pre-Aśokan date.
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The second century BC site of Bhattiprolu (16º 6' N, 80º 47' E) near Guntur, Andhra Pradesh, has yielded several stone receptacles containing 164 gold flowers, rolled inscribed strip of silver, 24 silver coins, beads, pearls, crystal casket, beryl reliquary and bone of Buddha.
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In our chapter 14 on Taxila we have discussed the early use of four varieties of sandstone. The Chunar variety was used for the world-famous Aśokan pillars. The beautifully chiselled pillars and the inscribed messages remain as living specimens of art and wisdom. The Aśokan *vajrāsana* at Bodh-Gayā is a polished sandstone throne. Attributed to Aśoka are the *stūpas* at Sārnāth and Taxila. In the former was found a sandstone box containing a green marble relic casket with bones, decayed pearls and gold leaves. The latter (*Dharmarājika stūpa* at Taxila) yielded a steatite vase containing a gold casket, bone relic, three gold safety-pins, and beads of ruby, garnet, amethyst and crystal. (Ghosh, 1989, Vol. I: 270) In a small Buddhist chapel close to the *Dharmarājika stūpa* of Taxila was found a vase-shaped casket of grey micaceous schist with a silver vase inside. In the latter an inscribed scroll of silver and a small gold casket containing some minute bone pieces were found. The inscription in the Kharosthī character and dated AD 78 tells us that the relics were of Gautama Buddha. (Bhattacharyya, 1986-87: 44) The Peshawar *stūpa* built by Kaniṣka yielded an inscribed metal casket containing a hexagonal crystal reliquary holding three pieces of bones believed to be those of Buddha.