Exams » UGC NET Notes » Buddhist Art

Buddhist Art in Post-Mauryan Period: Gandhara Art, Mathura Art, Influence of Art

Buddhist art in post Mauryan period in this topic you learn what shaped Buddhist art after the Mauryan Empire how Gandhara and Mathura schools developed the role of stupas caves symbolism trade patronage and the lasting influence of Buddhist artistic traditions.

April 27, 2026
3:24 PM

Buddhist art in post-Mauryan period marks an important phase in Indian history where art became more expressive, detailed, and symbolic. This period saw the transformation of simple religious ideas into rich artistic forms that influenced generations. The period after the decline of the Mauryan Empire (around 2nd century BCE onwards) witnessed remarkable growth in Buddhist art across India. During this time, regional styles flourished under the patronage of various dynasties like the Kushanas, Satavahanas, and Indo-Greeks. Buddhist art became more diverse, expressive, and sophisticated.

Buddhist art in Post-Mauryan period Introduction

The Buddhist art in post-Mauryan period developed after the decline of the Mauryan Empire around 200 BCE. During this time, many regional kingdoms like Shungas, Satavahanas, and Kushanas supported art. This support helped Buddhist art grow in new directions with different styles and regional influences.

Enroll UGC NET Online Coaching

Post-Mauryan period Historical background

The post-Mauryan period saw political fragmentation, but cultural growth continued.

Key dynasties

Shunga dynasty
Satavahana dynasty
Kushana dynasty

These rulers supported Buddhist institutions like monasteries and stupas, which helped art to flourish.

Major features of Buddhist art

Buddhist art in post-Mauryan period had some unique features.

Key characteristics

Use of symbols instead of Buddha image (early phase)
Development of narrative art
Growth of sculpture and architecture
Regional diversity in styles

This period shows transition from simple to complex art forms.

Stupa architecture development

Stupas were the most important structures in Buddhist art in post-Mauryan period.

Features of stupas

Dome-shaped structure
Harmika at the top
Chatra (umbrella-like structure)
Surrounding railing

Famous examples

Sanchi Stupa
Bharhut Stupa
Amaravati Stupa

Stupas became centers of worship and artistic expression.

Buddhist art in post-Mauryan period key elements

Buddhist art in the post-Mauryan period reflects a transition from symbolic to human forms, regional diversity, and the influence of foreign styles, highlighting the growing religious, cultural, and artistic richness of ancient India.

Feature	Description
Buddhist art in post-Mauryan period architecture	Stupas, caves
Sculpture	Narrative carvings
Symbolism	Non-human Buddha representation
Schools	Gandhara, Mathura
Material	Stone, terracotta

Symbolism in Early Buddhist Art

Before Buddha was depicted in human form, artists used symbols to represent him:

Bodhi Tree: Signified Buddha’s enlightenment.
Empty Throne: Represented Buddha’s presence.
Footprints: Indicated Buddha’s journey and teachings.
Wheel (Dharma Chakra): Symbolized the Dharma and Buddhist law.

Significance: These symbols allowed devotees to connect spiritually without human representations, reflecting early aniconic traditions.

Development of Narrative Art

Buddhist art evolved to tell stories visually during the post-Mauryan period:

Themes Depicted:
- Jataka tales (previous lives of Buddha)
- Key life events of Buddha (birth, enlightenment, nirvana)
- Scenes from daily monastic life
Techniques: Relief carvings on railing panels, gateways, and stupa walls created sequential storytelling.

Enroll UGC NET Online Course

Cave Architecture and Art

Caves became major centers for Buddhist art and monastic life:

Types of Caves:
- Chaitya: Prayer halls
- Vihara: Monasteries for monks
Examples:
- Karle Caves
- Bhaja Caves
- Ajanta Caves
Features: Sculptures and murals carved directly into rock, often narrating Buddhist stories.

Gandhara School of Art

The Gandhara school reflected foreign influence and realism:

Greek Influence: Techniques in drapery, proportion, and realism.
Human Buddha Images: Curly hair, serene expression, detailed clothing folds.
Materials: Mainly schist and stone for sculptures.

Mathura School of Art

The Mathura school represented indigenous Indian styles:

Materials: Red sandstone
Figures: Strong, bold, and spiritually expressive
Buddha Images: Indian physiognomy, symbolic strength, less foreign influence

Comparison: Gandhara vs Mathura

Both schools played a key role in evolving Buddhist art, combining symbolism, narrative storytelling, and human representation.

Feature	Gandhara	Mathura
Influence	Greek / Western	Indigenous Indian
Style	Realistic, naturalistic	Bold, symbolic, spiritual
Buddha Representation	Detailed drapery, calm expression	Indian facial features, spiritual vigor
Contribution	Introduced human Buddha form	Developed Indian identity in Buddha images

Role of Patronage

The growth of Buddhist art in the post-Mauryan period depended heavily on support from various sections of society:

Kings and Rulers: Funded the construction of stupas, monasteries, and rock-cut caves.
Merchants and Traders: Donated wealth, sponsored sculptural and architectural projects.
Common People: Contributed in smaller ways, like funding smaller shrines or carvings.

Impact: Patronage ensured continuous artistic production and the flourishing of regional styles like Gandhara, Mathura, and Amaravati.

Enroll UGC NET Coaching in Jaipur

Spread of Buddhism Through Art

Buddhist art became a powerful medium for religious propagation:

Visual Storytelling: Reliefs and sculptures depicted the Buddha’s life and Jataka tales.
Accessibility: Even illiterate people could understand and relate to Buddhist teachings.
Attraction: Artistic monuments like stupas and chaityas drew devotees, promoting Buddhism across India and beyond.

Influence of Trade on Art

Trade networks significantly supported the development and diversity of Buddhist art:

Connection Between Regions: Trade routes connected distant areas, facilitating cultural exchange.
Merchant Donations: Wealth from trade funded artistic and architectural projects.
Cultural Influence: Exposure to foreign artistic techniques (e.g., Greek influence on Gandhara) diversified Indian Buddhist art.

Materials Used in Post-Mauryan Buddhist Art

Artists used durable and versatile materials to create detailed artworks:

Stone: Used for caves, stupas, and relief sculptures (Mathura red sandstone, Gandhara schist).
Wood: Employed in smaller shrines and decorative elements.
Terracotta: Common for figurines, votive objects, and smaller reliefs.

These materials allowed for long-lasting, detailed, and intricate artworks, preserving Buddhist art for posterity.

Enroll UGC NET Offline Coaching in Jaipur

	Read UGC NET Notes
1	Archaeological Sources for UGC NET	Epigraphy – Study of Inscriptions	Meaning of Historical Sources	Archaeological
2	Meaning of Historical Sources	Archaeological Sources for UGC NET	Literary Sources in History	Archaeological
3	Exploration in Archaeology	Excavation Techniques in Archaeology	Dating of Archaeological Sites	Archaeological
4	Excavation Techniques in Archaeology	Exploration in Archaeology	Dating of Archaeological Sites	Archaeological
5	Epigraphy – Study of Inscriptions	Inscriptions in Reconstructing History	Numismatics in History	Archaeological
6	Inscriptions in Reconstructing History	Epigraphy – Study of Inscriptions	Archaeological Sources for UGC NET	Archaeological
7	Numismatics in History	Importance of Coins in History	Epigraphy – Study of Inscriptions	Archaeological
8	Importance of Coins in History	Numismatics in History	Archaeological Sources for UGC NET	Archaeological
9	Dating of Archaeological Sites	Excavation Techniques in Archaeology	Dating Ancient Literary Sources	Archaeological
10	Indigenous Literature	Literary Sources in History	Secular Literature as Historical Source	Literary
11	Dating Ancient Literary Sources	Literary Sources in History	Dating of Archaeological Sites	Literary
12	Literary Sources in History	Indigenous Literature	Foreign Accounts of India	Literary
13	Foreign Accounts of India	Greek Accounts on Ancient India	Chinese Accounts on India	Literary
14	Greek Accounts on Ancient India	Foreign Accounts of India	Chinese Accounts on India	Literary
15	Secular Literature as Historical Source	Literary Sources in History	Indigenous Literature	Literary
16	Role of Myths and Legends in Historical Reconstruction	Literary Sources in History	Secular Literature as Historical Source	Literary
17	Chinese Accounts on India	Foreign Accounts of India	Greek Accounts on Ancient India	Literary
18	Arabic Accounts on India	Foreign Accounts of India	Chinese Accounts on India	Literary
19	Neolithic and Chalcolithic Phases	Neolithic Revolution in India	Chalcolithic Culture in India	Neolithic
20	Hunting, Gathering & Food Production	Neolithic Revolution in India	Neolithic Settlements in India	Neolithic
21	Neolithic Revolution in India	Neolithic Settlements in India	Tools and Technology in Neolithic Period	Neolithic
22	Neolithic Settlements in India	Distribution of Neolithic Cultures in India	Neolithic Revolution in India	Neolithic
23	Distribution of Neolithic Cultures in India	Neolithic Settlements in India	Tools and Technology in Neolithic Period	Neolithic
24	Tools and Technology in Neolithic Period	Neolithic Revolution in India	Chalcolithic Culture in India	Neolithic
25	Chalcolithic Culture in India	Settlement Pattern & Economy in Chalcolithic Phase	Trade & Exchange Networks in Chalcolithic Societies	Neolithic
26	Settlement Pattern & Economy – Chalcolithic Phase	Chalcolithic Culture in India	Trade & Exchange Networks in Chalcolithic Societies	Neolithic
27	Trade & Exchange Networks – Chalcolithic Societies	Chalcolithic Culture in India	IVC Internal & External Trade	Neolithic
28	Indus Valley Civilization – UGC NET	Major Sites of Indus Civilization	Urban Planning in Harappan Civilization	IVC
29	IVC Internal & External Trade	Internal Trade – Harappan Civilization	Craft Specialization in Harappan Civilization	IVC
30	Political Organization – Harappan Civilization	Social Structure – Indus Civilization	Urban Planning in Harappan Civilization	IVC
31	Major Sites of Indus Civilization	Indus Valley Civilization – UGC NET	Urban Planning in Harappan Civilization	IVC
32	Urban Planning & Settlement – Harappan Civilization	Architecture & Town Planning – Harappan Cities	IVC as First Urbanization in India	IVC
33	Architecture & Town Planning – Harappan Cities	Urban Planning in Harappan Civilization	Major Sites of Indus Civilization	IVC
34	Craft Specialization & Industrial Activities – Harappan	Agriculture & Food Economy – Harappans	IVC Internal & External Trade	IVC
35	Agriculture & Food Economy – Harappans	Craft Specialization in Harappan Civilization	Internal Trade – Harappan Civilization	IVC
36	Internal Trade – Harappan Civilization	IVC Internal & External Trade	Craft Specialization in Harappan Civilization	IVC
37	Religion & Beliefs – Indus Civilization	Social Structure – Indus Civilization	Indus Valley Civilization – UGC NET	IVC
38	Social Structure – Indus Civilization	Political Organization – Harappan Civilization	Religion & Beliefs – Indus Civilization	IVC
39	Decline of Indus Civilization	Indus Valley Civilization – UGC NET	IVC as First Urbanization in India	IVC
40	IVC as First Urbanization in India	Urban Planning in Harappan Civilization	Second Urbanization in India	IVC
41	Vedic & Later Vedic Periods – Aryan Varna System	Early Vedic Society and Economy	Later Vedic Society and Economy	Vedic
42	Origin of Vedic Civilization	Aryan Debate – Migration, Invasion & Indigenous Theories	Early Vedic Society and Economy	Vedic
43	Aryan Debate – Migration, Invasion & Indigenous Theories	Origin of Vedic Civilization	Early Vedic Society and Economy	Vedic
44	Early Vedic Society and Economy	Political Institutions – Early Vedic Period	Social Structure – Early Vedic Period	Vedic
45	Political Institutions – Early Vedic Period	Early Vedic Society and Economy	Monarchical States in Ancient India	Vedic
46	Social Structure – Early Vedic Period	Emergence of Varnas & Social Stratification	Early Vedic Society and Economy	Vedic
47	Later Vedic Society and Economy	Emergence of Varnas & Social Stratification	Impact of Iron Technology in India	Vedic
48	Emergence of Varnas & Social Stratification	Social Structure – Early Vedic Period	Later Vedic Society and Economy	Vedic
49	Emergence of Heterodox Sects in India	Jainism, Buddhism & Ajivikas – Origins & Teachings	Later Vedic Society and Economy	Vedic
50	Impact of Iron Technology in India	Later Vedic Society and Economy	Agricultural Expansion & Economic Changes – Ancient India	Vedic
51	Religious & Philosophical Vedic Ideas	Emergence of Varnas & Social Stratification	Emergence of Heterodox Sects in India	Vedic
52	Megalithic Culture of South India	Neolithic and Chalcolithic Phases	Agricultural Expansion & Economic Changes	General
53	State System in Ancient India	Rise of Mahajanapadas	Transition: Tribal Polities to Territorial States	General
54	Transition: Tribal Polities to Territorial States	Rise of Mahajanapadas	Later Vedic Society and Economy	General
55	Rise of Mahajanapadas	Monarchical States in Ancient India	Republican States (Gana-Sanghas) – Ancient India	Magadha
56	Monarchical States in Ancient India	Rise of Mahajanapadas	Emergence of Magadha	Magadha
57	Republican States (Gana-Sanghas) – Ancient India	Rise of Mahajanapadas	Monarchical States in Ancient India	Magadha
58	Agricultural Expansion & Economic Changes – Ancient India	Second Urbanization in India	Impact of Iron Technology in India	General
59	Second Urbanization in India	IVC as First Urbanization in India	Rise of Mahajanapadas	General
60	Jainism, Buddhism & Ajivikas – Origins & Teachings	Emergence of Heterodox Sects in India	Ashoka’s Policy of Dhamma	General
61	Emergence of Magadha	Geographical Advantages of Magadha	Early Rulers of Magadha	Magadha
62	Geographical Advantages of Magadha	Natural Resources & Economic Strength of Magadha	Reasons for Success of Magadha	Magadha
63	Natural Resources & Economic Strength of Magadha	Geographical Advantages of Magadha	Economic Policies of the Nandas	Magadha
64	Early Rulers of Magadha	Haryanka Dynasty – Rise of Magadha	Emergence of Magadha	Magadha
65	Haryanka Dynasty – Rise of Magadha	Expansion Policy of Bimbisara	Early Rulers of Magadha	Magadha
66	Expansion Policy of Bimbisara	Ajatashatru – Military Reforms	Haryanka Dynasty – Rise of Magadha	Magadha
67	Ajatashatru – Military Reforms	Wars of Ajatashatru	Expansion Policy of Bimbisara	Magadha
68	Wars of Ajatashatru	Ajatashatru – Military Reforms	Udayin & Establishment of Pataliputra	Magadha
69	Udayin & Establishment of Pataliputra	Wars of Ajatashatru	Shishunaga Dynasty	Magadha
70	Shishunaga Dynasty	Administrative Structure of the Shishunagas	Nanda Dynasty	Magadha
71	Administrative Structure of the Shishunagas	Shishunaga Dynasty	Central Administration Under Mauryas	Magadha
72	Nanda Dynasty	Mahapadma Nanda – Imperial Expansion	Shishunaga Dynasty	Magadha
73	Mahapadma Nanda – Imperial Expansion	Military Strength of the Nandas	Nanda Dynasty	Magadha
74	Economic Policies of the Nandas	Nanda Dynasty	Taxation System – Mauryan State	Magadha
75	Military Strength of the Nandas	Mahapadma Nanda – Imperial Expansion	Defeat of Nandas & Rise of Mauryan Empire	Magadha
76	Reasons for Success of Magadha	Geographical Advantages of Magadha	Natural Resources & Economic Strength of Magadha	Magadha
77	Mahajanapadas to Empire – Evolution & Rise of Magadha	Rise of Mahajanapadas	Emergence of Magadha	Magadha
78	Mauryan Empire – Expansion	Rise of Chandragupta Maurya	Expansion of Mauryan Empire	Maurya
79	Rise of Chandragupta Maurya	Role of Chanakya in Rise of Mauryan Empire	Defeat of Nandas & Rise of Mauryan Empire	Maurya
80	Role of Chanakya in Rise of Mauryan Empire	Rise of Chandragupta Maurya	Defeat of Nandas & Rise of Mauryan Empire	Maurya
81	Defeat of Nandas & Rise of Mauryan Empire	Military Strength of the Nandas	Rise of Chandragupta Maurya	Maurya
82	Chandragupta Maurya – Seleucus Treaty & Diplomacy	Expansion of Mauryan Empire	Greek Accounts on Ancient India	Maurya
83	Expansion of Mauryan Empire	Chandragupta Maurya – Seleucus Treaty & Diplomacy	Kalinga War	Maurya
84	Administration of Chandragupta Maurya	Central Administration Under Mauryas	Mauryan Bureaucracy	Maurya
85	Sources for Mauryan History	Archaeological Sources for UGC NET	Greek Accounts on Ancient India	Maurya
86	Central Administration Under Mauryas	Provincial Administration – Mauryan Empire	Mauryan Bureaucracy	Maurya
87	Provincial Administration – Mauryan Empire	Local Administration – Mauryan Empire	Central Administration Under Mauryas	Maurya
88	Local Administration – Mauryan Empire	Provincial Administration – Mauryan Empire	Mauryan Bureaucracy	Maurya
89	Mauryan Bureaucracy	Central Administration Under Mauryas	Espionage System – Mauryan Empire	Maurya
90	Espionage System – Mauryan Empire	Mauryan Bureaucracy	Central Administration Under Mauryas	Maurya
91	Ancient India – Trade and Commerce	Trade and Commerce Under Mauryas	Agrarian Economy – Mauryan Period	Maurya
92	Agrarian Economy – Mauryan Period	Taxation System – Mauryan State	Trade and Commerce Under Mauryas	Maurya
93	Trade and Commerce Under Mauryas	Ancient India – Trade and Commerce	Agrarian Economy – Mauryan Period	Maurya
94	Taxation System – Mauryan State	Agrarian Economy – Mauryan Period	Economic Policies of the Nandas	Maurya
95	Kalinga War	Ashoka’s Policy of Dhamma	Expansion of Mauryan Empire	Maurya
96	Ashoka’s Policy of Dhamma	Nature & Philosophy of Dhamma	Kalinga War	Maurya
97	Nature & Philosophy of Dhamma	Ashoka’s Policy of Dhamma	Jainism, Buddhism & Ajivikas	Maurya

Buddhist Art in Post-Mauryan Period FAQs

What is Buddhist art in post-Mauryan period?

Buddhist art in post-Mauryan period refers to artistic development after the Mauryan Empire. Artists transitioned from symbols to human representations of Buddha. Regional styles like Gandhara, Mathura, and Amaravati flourished under royal and merchant patronage.