Aryan Books

SCULPTURES FROM PUNJAB: Iconography and Style

By :- Devendra Handa

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Pages: xxvi+218

Format: HB

ISBN-13: 978-81-7305-414-3

Place: New Delhi

Edition: 1st

Publisher: ARYAN BOOKS INTERNATIONAL

Size: 22cm x 28cm

Product Year: 2011

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Punjab has almost been a terra incognita for long with regard to the sculptural art and not much is known even now except 57 railing pillars of Sanghol published by the National Museum, New Delhi. The remaining 60 pieces, some of which are aesthetically equally important, and some stray finds made now and then, have not received due attention which they deserved. Quite a few of the elegant and artistic sculptures have even been pilfered and are not traceable now. An effort has been made here to put everything together and present a coherent picture to the readers. Images published here throw fresh light on the culture, ethnology, trade, art and religious history of the region which have further been substantiated by literary, numismatic and epigraphic evidence. The Kushana railing pillars of Sanghol are a class by themselves and so are the Gupta terracottas from Ropar, Sanghol, Janer and Zahura. Medieval sculptures from Velore, Khanpur, Majhur, Janer, Dholbaha and other sites provide rare glimpses of the artistic, aesthetic and iconographic achievements of the artists. Metal images from Ropar, Bhudan, Sunam, Kharar and Ferozepur, mostly published for the first time, corroborate the evidence of marble images and throw new light on the impact and missionary activities of the Jaina monks from Rajasthan in Punjab. Stylistic and iconographic study of sculptures further reveals influence from Kashmir, Himachal Pradesh, Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh and Uttarakhand. Unfinished images from Dholbaha reveal that it was a great centre of art during the medieval period. Karttikeya with Krittikas from Sanghol; Harihara, Siva with goose, Siva's head with long jata-juta and the Ramayana panel from Dholbaha; Nataraja from Bathinda; Mukha-Linga from Sultanpur Lodi; Uma-Mahesvara from Ghanauli; Vaikuntha-Lakshmi from Lalru; and Jaina figures from Bathinda, Bhudan, Ferozepur, Ropar and Sunam show interesting iconographical innovations. With 62 sketches and 338 plates, Sculptures from Punjab is the first comprehensive work on the subject resulting from author's sustained interest and study for more than the last four decades.

Preface vii Transliteration Table xiii Abbreviations xv List of Illustrations xvii 1. Introduction: Historical Backdrop and Sites 1 2. Vishnu 36 3. Vaishnava Incarnations, Vaikuntha and Composite Forms 55 4. Siva 70 5. Sakti 85 6. Surya 103 7. Ganesa 109 8. Miscellaneous Icons and Decorative Sculptures 115 9. Buddhist Sculptures 129 10. Jaina Sculptures 156 11. Epilogue 187 Glossary 191 Bibliography 201 Index 211

A recipient of Maulana Azad Medal, Archaeological Centenary Commemoration Medal, Sir Mortimer Wheeler Prize (1964), Lowick Memorial Grant of the Royal Numismatic Society, London (1992 and 2007), Pandit Bhagwanlal Indraji Medal of the Indian Coin Society, Nagpur (2007) and Nelson Wright Medal of the Numismatic Society of India (2010), Devendra Handa is well known to the Indologists through his writings. After his retirement from Panjab University, Chandigarh he has availed Fellowship of the Indian Institute of Advanced Study at Shimla (2000-2003), Senior Fellowship of the Ministry of Culture, GOI, New Delhi (2003-05) and Senior Academic Fellowship of the ICHR, New Delhi (2009-11). He was felicitated with life-time achievement award at Indore in 2008 by the Numismatic Society of India, Indian Coin Society and Gwalior Chapter of INTACH. Besides three volumes of Numismatic Studies (New Delhi: Harman Publishing House, 1991-93) and two of Oriental Numismatic Studies (Delhi: Sundeep Prakashan, 1996 & 1999), he has edited/co-edited festschrifts in honour of some great scholars like Profs. B.N. Mukherjee, Ajay Mitra Shastri, V.S. Pathak, R. Nagaswamy and R.C. Agrawala. The major works authored by him include the following: 1. Osian: History, Archaeology, Art & Architecture, Delhi: Sundeep Prakashan, 1984. 2. Studies in Indian Coins and Seals, Delhi: Sundeep Prakashan, 1985. 3. Jaina Bronzes From Hansi, Shimla: IIAS & New Delhi: Aryan Books International, 2002. 4. An Epic Pilgrimage: History and Antiquity of Pehowa: Ancient P?ith?udaka, New Delhi: Aryan Books International, 2004. 5. Buddhist Remains from Haryana, New Delhi: Sundeep Prakashan, 2004. 6. Early Indian Coins from Sugh, Delhi: Sundeep Prakashan, 2005. 7. Sculptures From Haryana: Iconography and Style, Shimla: IIAS & New Delhi: Aryan Books International, 2006. 8. Tribal Coins of Ancient India, New Delhi: Aryan Books International, 2007. 9. Coins and Temples: Numismatic Evidence on the Evolution of Temple

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