The Bharhut sculpture refers to the early Indian sculptures from the Shunga period around the mid-2nd century BCE. These sculptures adorned the significant stupa, or relic mound, located in Bharhut, Madhya Pradesh state. Much of this art has been lost, and the remaining fragments, including railings and entrance gateways, are presently housed in the Indian Museum in Kolkata (Calcutta).

The Bharhut style, while occasionally considered archaic and rudimentary in its design. It represents the initial stages of a Buddhist narrative relief tradition and the ornamentation of sacred structures that persisted for many centuries. Similar sculptures to those found in Bharhut are across northern India. This indicates that Bharhut was likely the primary hub for this particular stylistic type.

Artistic Elements in Bharhut Sculpture

The Bharhut sculptures showcase a transition from an earlier wooden tradition to stone, evident in their flat planes, somewhat rigid poses, and meticulously intricate ornamentation. Notably, some of the uprights feature relief sculptures depicting yakshas and yakshis, originally nature deities, now incorporated into Buddhist symbolism. A recurring motif depicts a woman embracing a tree, reflecting spiritual and allegorical themes within the artwork.

Symbolism and Narrative in Bharhut Sculpture

The stone railing at Bharhut, mirroring wooden post-and-rail construction, showcases intricate decoration comprising medallions and lunates. Most feature lotus ornamentation, while some highlight the head of individuals, potentially men or women. Additionally, the railing’s medallions and coping illustrate Jataka stories. It is representing legends of the Buddha’s previous births, and pivotal moments from the Buddha’s life. Crucially, these depictions are labeled, making Bharhut sculpture invaluable for comprehending Buddhist iconography.

Notably, in pre-1st century CE Indian sculpture, the Buddha is symbolizes through items like a wheel, an empty throne, or an umbrella, rather than depicted in human form. The sculptural compositions adopt a simple, occasionally naïve approach, using overlapping figures to delineate different planes. Animals depicted in these sculptures receive compassionate treatment, echoing the characteristic empathetic nature of Indian art across eras.

Why Bharhut Is Important?

The Bharhut Stupa lies on an ancient trade route that stretches from Ujjain and Vidisha to Pataliputra, where it turns north in the valley of the Mahiyar River towards Kaushambi and Shravasti. Along this historic trail is situated perhaps one of the greatest Buddhist sites in India, Bharhut.

Experts attribute the core or original stupa at Bharhut to Mauryan Emperor Ashoka (r. 269 – 232 BCE) in the 3rd century BCE. They believe it underwent enlargement in the late 2nd century BCE. The other structure found aboveground near the stupa, a Buddhist temple, is believed to date to a much later period, the Gupta era (early 4th to late 6th century CE). However, inside the temple was a late 12th century CE Pala-style image of the Buddha. This was an important discovery as indicated that Buddhism was thriving in this region as late as the 12th century CE.

Cunningham identified the region where the Bharhut Stupa was built as an extension of the area known as ‘Bhilsa’ (later Vidisha). This region also houses the stupas of Sanchi, Andher, Satdhara, Sonari, and Murel Khurd. Interestingly, in the Kurunga Mriga Jataka, both Sariputra and Mogallana, two very important Buddhist teachers, feature in one of their previous lives alongside the Buddha. Archaeologists discovered the mortal remains of these great teachers in the stupas at Bhilsa, Sanchi, and Satdhara. Inscriptions on the reliquaries found at these sites identified their remains.

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