- Mauryan art represented an important transition from wood to stone in Indian art. Notable features include the use of cut stone in religious sculptures and the development of Buddhist temples, stupas, and caves that were inspired by earlier Vedic traditions. - Gandharan art developed in the region of Gandhara (modern-day Pakistan and Afghanistan) between the 1st-7th centuries AD and blended Greek artistic styles with Indian Buddhist religious themes. Key characteristics include depictions of the Buddha and bodhisattvas with realistic human features and elaborate drapery. - Gupta art of the 4th-5th centuries AD is exemplified by naturalistic sculptures like the Standing Buddha from Sarnath

1. Mauryan / Gandhar / Gupta art

5. Entrance to the rock-cut Buddhist temple (vihara), at Bhaja, Maharashtra, 2nd-1st c. BCE

6. Surya's chariot crushing a demon (left) and an elephant-rider, probably Indra (right)

7. Ashoka pillar at Vaishali, 3rd century BCE

8. Ashokan Pillar at Vaishali

9. Free standing stone pillars is also an important feature of Ashoka`s architecture. The stone pillars designed by this great Emperor were generally monolithic columns and the greatest example of such pillars was in Sarnath. The Ashoka Pillar - It is one of many pillars inscribed by Emperor Ashoka between about 243 B.C. and 242 B.C. and placed all over his empire. On these pillars are edicts covering a wide range of topics including religion, law, religious tolerance and the protection of animals.

10. This is the famous original sandstone sculpted Lion Capital of Ashoka preserved at Sarnath Museum which was originally erected around 250 BCE atop an Ashoka Pillar at Sarnath. The angle from which this picture has been taken, minus the inverted bell-shaped lotus flower, has been adopted as the National Emblem of India showing the Horse on the left and the Bull on the right of the Ashoka Chakra in the circular base on which the four Indian lions are standing back to back. On the far side there is an Elephant and a Lion instead. The wheel "Ashoka Chakra" from its base has been placed onto the center of the National Flag of India.

11. A four "Indian lion” Lion Capital of Ashoka atop an intact Ashoka Pillar at Wat U Mong near Chiang Mai, Thailand showing another larger Dharma Chakra / Ashoka Chakra atop the four lions thought to be missing in the Lion Capital of Ashoka at Sarnath Museum which has been adopted as the National Emblem of India.

12. Silver punch-mark coins of the Mauryan empire bear Buddhist symbols such as the dharma wheel, the elephant (previous form of the Buddha), the tree under which enlightenment happened, and the burial mound where the Buddha died (third century B.C.E.)

13. Sanchi Stupa The Great Stupa is 120 feet across (36.6 meters) and, excluding the railing and umbrella, is 54 feet high (16.46 meters). The present stupa encases an earlier one of about half its present dimensions. The earlier one, built of large burnt bricks and mud, has been attributed to the Emperor Ashoka. The four gateways, or toranas , are the finest works of art at Sanchi and are among the finest examples of Buddhist art in India. The gateways were erected c. 35 BCE. The scenes carved into the pillars and their triple architraves are of episodes in the various lives of the Buddha.

15. Lomas Rishi Caves, Barabar Hills, 3 rd C. BC Lomas Rishi is impressive because its entrance is carved as a faithful imitation of a wooden building with a free standing barrel roof supported on posts and beams. Among its various wooden details are three smooth curved bands. The space beween the upper 2 bands is filled by aq lattice screen to admit light and air. The lower space has been magnificently carved with a procession of elephants.

18. Map of Gandhar Region

23. Seated Buddha from Mathura, India 2nd century C.E. red sandstone 27 1/2 in. high ushnisha mudra chakra prana elongated ears halo of enlightenment urna

24. Boddhisattva – presented as a Prince

27. Emphasis on Hair Style and the sign on forehead

28. Realistic Approach of the Bactrian Greeks

29. Literal translation of the word Padmasana in pictorial representation

31. Gupta Period

32. Sarnath Buddha Standing Buddha Late 4 th – early 5 th C Red Stone 2.17 m Mood – calm and inner tranquility The sanghati clings so close to the body that it all but disapperas and is defined only by a series of string like folds.