Class 12 History Chapter 4: Sculpture
Why are Buddhist stupas said to be “stories in stone”?
Each Buddhist stupa has a history of its own. The sculptures in the stupas depicted different stories which were taken from different texts at that time.
What are the structural and sculpture features of the Sanchi Stupa?
It is a simple hemispherical brick structure with a raised terrace built over the relics of buddha encompassing its base.
What is the primary material used in sculptures?
The most important of these are stone, wood, metal, clay, ivory, and plaster.
What does the Ajanta Paintings depict?
Ajanta paintings depict diverse scenes from Jataka stories, showcasing courtly life, daily activities, and festivals with a high degree of naturalistic detail and shading techniques.
What does depiction of animal mean?
Animal depictions, like elephants, horses, and monkeys, served as symbols of human attributes and lively scenes to engage viewers.
Chapter 4: Sculpture| Class 12 History Notes
Sculptures often depicted narratives from Buddhist texts, such as the Vessantara Jataka, illustrating moral and spiritual themes through visual storytelling. We have just seen how sculptures were removed from stupas and transported all the way to Europe. This happened partly because those who saw them considered them to be beautiful and valuable, and wanted to keep them for themselves.
Let us learn more about scuptures!