1889.] 



on the Civilization of Ancient India. 



The central image of the composition, the lotus-throned Buddha, 

 occupies a niche formed by a dentilled cornice resting on Indo-Persian 

 pillars. The rest of the slab is occupied by a profusion of " Buddhist 

 railings " and other architectural details, as well as by a multitude of 

 small human figures, which it would be tedious to describe at length. 



The bare right shoulder and formal hair might be supposed to 

 suggest a late date, but the style of the architectural ornaments and 

 the fine execution of the work indicate, in my judgment, that it should 

 be referred to the first half of the third century A. D. I have already 

 noted that this slab is adorned with Indo- Corinthian pilasters as well 

 as Indo-Persian pillars. 



One of the most elegant images of the standing, preaching Buddha 

 is the small statuette from the Mian Khan monastery depicted in figure 

 3 of Major Cole's Plate Si 7. The expression of the face is sweet and 

 calm, and the drapery is rendered in the best style. Both shoulders 

 are covered, and the hair, coiled in a top-knot, is artistically and truth- 

 fully sculptured. This work seems to me to be of earlier date than the 

 Mohammad Nari specimen, and is probably not later than A. D. 200. 



The fine sculpture from the upper monastery at Nuttu (Cole, Plate 

 12) shows Buddha, wearing moustaches, and with both shoulders 

 covered, seated cross-legged on a low stool under a sal tree, addressing 

 a company of adoring disciples of both sexes. 



The balanced grouping of this composition is as skilful as that of 

 the death-bed scenes. 



The three sculptures above described belong to the best period of 

 the Gandhara school of art. 



A statuette of the seated Buddha, about 13 inches in height, exe- 

 cuted in blue slate, is shown in Plate IX, fig. 2, and is an example of the 

 school in its decadence. A similar statuette was obtained at Ranigat,* 

 and is fairly good work, though not of the best style. 



Another statuette of the seated Buddha, found at Shah ki dhori, 

 the ancient Taxila by Mr. L. White King, seems to be of comparatively 

 late date, having a Hindu, rather than a Buddhist appearance. 



* The great fortress of Ranigat, (also known by the names of Nogram, or 

 Navagram, and Bagr&m), is sitnated sixteen miles north of Ohiud, and just beyond 

 tin; British frontier. Tribal feuds render the plaeo difficult of access, and, when 

 Jli-. King visited it, ho required the protection of a strong escort. The ruins have, 

 consequently, never been thoroughly explored. Sir A. Cunningham gives weighty 

 reasons for identifying the site with Aornos, tho stronghold which resisted 

 Alexander. Tho surface of the various courtyards is covered with fragmonts of 

 "statues of all sizes, and in all positions." (Archmol Rep., Vol.11, pp. 96 — 111; 

 V,p.Z5). Major Cole in his Second Report notes the existence of seven topes or 

 stupus within the limits of the fortress, and gives a rough plan on a very small scale. 



