Sultanganj Buddha
Topic: Early Indian Art and Architecture: Stupas, Rock-cut Caves, Temples · NCERT: Beyond NCERT
Meaning
The Sultanganj Buddha is a copper statue of the standing Buddha, over two metres tall. It was found at Sultanganj in Bihar in the 1860s, during railway building. It is usually dated to c. 6th–7th century CE. Its smooth body and thin robe, which seems to cling to the body, follow the Gupta style of Sarnath. It is one of the largest metal statues to survive from early India. That makes it important evidence of skilled metal-casting. It is now in the Birmingham Museum and Art Gallery in Britain.
Example
The statue shows the Buddha standing, with his right hand raised. It was cast from copper in several pieces, c. 6th–7th century CE, and was taken to England soon after it was found.
Don't confuse with
- Sarnath Buddha (seated, preaching): a Gupta stone sculpture that is still in India. The Sultanganj Buddha is made of copper and is now in Britain.
Related concepts
- Gupta art
- Sarnath school of art
- Mudras
- Abhaya mudra
- Bhumisparsha mudra
- Dharmachakra mudra
- Dhyana mudra
- Varada mudra
- Vitarka mudra
- Anjali mudra