1889.] V. A. Smith — Grceco-Boman influence on Ancient India. 211 



The Jdtalcas, or Birth-Stories, often formed the theme of Gaudhara 

 sculptors, but few examples of this class of works have been preserved. 

 The sculptures of the risers of the steps of the monastery at Jainalgarhi 

 offer the best preserved examples, which may be studied in the British 

 Museum. The carvings on these risers are described at considerable 

 length. 



Certain sculptures, specimens of which exist both in London and 

 Calcutta, are described, and shown to be imitations of the Greek Gigan- 

 tomachia. The conjecture is hazarded that the Indian conception of 

 the Asuras is a derivative from the Greek myth of the giants who 

 warred with the gods. 



A group (of which several specimens are known), and which re- 

 presents a young woman being carried off by an eagle, is shown, (as 

 first pointed out by Cunningham), to be an imitation of the celebrated 

 Rape of Ganymede, by Leochares, which continued to furnish a model 

 to Greek and Roman sculptors for centuries. 



A curious panel on which Greek soldiers are shown is next dis- 

 cussed, and the Greek origin of comic friezes representing boys riding 

 on lions and so forth, and of the frequent figures of centaurs, tritons, 

 and other monsters is briefly referred to. 



The section closes with a summary account of the detached stucco 

 heads, which are the most abundant relics of Gaudhara art. 



Chapter IV. Hellenistic Sculpture in India Proper. 



The works, select specimens of which are noticed in this section, 

 are much less numerous than those of the Gaudhara school. The series 

 begins with the sculptured capitals of Asoka's monoliths, some of which 

 are decorated with the honeysuckle ornament characteristic of Ionic 

 architecture. 



The centaurs, tritons, etc., seen at Bharhut, Buddha Gaya, and 

 elsewhere are evidently of Greek origin, as also is the four-horsed chariot 

 of the sun, several examples of which in ancient Indian sculpture are 

 known. Ordinarily, in Indian mythology, the solar chariot has seven 

 horses. 



The most easily recognizable Hellenistic sculptures, out of the 

 Panjab, are found at Mathura, and comprise two groups, which seem to 

 refer to the myth of Silenus, and a group of Hercules and the Nemean 

 lion. These works are briefly described and discussed. 



Chapter V. The Chronology and Affinities of the Gdndhdra or PesMiuar 

 School of Sculpture. 

 This is the principal portion of the essay, and the subject is treated 



