Lion Capital of Ashoka Indian School Muscat Senior

Total Page:16

File Type:pdf, Size:1020Kb

Lion Capital of Ashoka Indian School Muscat Senior INDIAN SCHOOL MUSCAT SENIOR SECTION - FINE ARTS DEPT HISTORY OF INDIAN ART – BUDDHIST, JAIN & HINDU ART CLASS XI – WORKSHEET No. 4 LION CAPITAL OF ASHOKA The Lion Capital of Ashoka is a sculpture of four ‘Indian Lions’ standing back to back. It was originally placed atop the Aśoka pillar at Sarnath, in the state of Uttar Pradesh, India by the Emperor Ashoka, circa 250 BC. The pillar, sometimes called the Aśoka Column, is still in its original location, but the Lion Capital is now in the Sarnath Museum. This Lion capital of Ashoka from Saranath has been adopted as the National Emblem of India and the wheel ‘Ashoka Chakra’ from its base was placed onto the center of the National Flag of India. This is the famous original sandstone sculpted Lion The capital contains four (Indian/Asiatic Capital of Ashoka preserved at The Lion Capital of Lions), standing back to back, mounted Saranath Museum which was Asoka adorns the on an abacus with a frieze carrying originally erected around 250 second stamp sculptures in high relief of an elephant, BCE atop an Ashoka Pillar at produced in a galloping horse, a bull, and a lion, Saranath. independent India separated by intervening spoked chariot- The original Lion Capital. The wheels over a bell-shaped lotus. Carved angle from which this picture and was the first out of a single block of polished has been taken, minus stamp meant for sandstone, the capital was believed to be the inverted bell-shaped lotus domestic use. crowned by a 'Wheel of Dharma' flower, has been adopted as the (Dharmachakra popularly known in National Emblem of India as the "Ashoka Chakra"), which India showing the Horse on the left and the Bull on the right of has now been lost. There is a similar intact Ashoka pillar in Thailand with a the Ashoka Chakra in the similar four lion capital intact and circular base on which the crowned with Ashoka four Indian lions are seated Chakra/Dharmachakra. back to back. On the far side there is an Elephant and a Lion. The wheel "Ashoka Chakra" from its base has been placed onto the centre of the National Flag of India. .
Recommended publications
  • Non-Western Art History
    Non-Western Art History The Art of India End End 1 Art of India 1 2 Art of India 1 Four Religions of India Brahmanism Buddhism Hinduism Jainism All four religions believe Life around us is an illusions Only Brahman, who is all inclusive, universal and external spirited reality that extends to all temporal and divine beings, is real and everlasting The faithful should strive to ascend to Brahman Bottom - Source: Art Beyond The West, By Michael O’Riley, Harry N. Abrams, Inc. 2002 End End 3 Art of India 1 4 Art of India 1 The Four Religions of India Common Characteristics of Traditional Indian Art Believe that a person can ascend to Brahma through meditation. This Art must have rasa, an emotional reaction of pleasure and satisfaction discipline of the mind and body is known as yoga. that visual arts, music, poetry and drama can give to the senses and spirit of the viewer. Worshippers must practice visualization of the gods. Artists create sculptures and painting in easily recognizable forms such as humans Reacting to art, the viewer becomes one with the art and all creation, and animals to help with this visualization. to transcend the world and become one with Brahman. Places of worship, shrines and temples, are permanent and are Art must go beyond description to appeal to the viewer’s heart and architectural replicas of the microcosms of the universe the gods have instincts, connecting the seen (unreal) with the unseen (but real) created. world. Bottom - Source: Art Beyond The West, By Michael O’Riley, Bottom - Source: Art Beyond The West, By Michael O’Riley, Harry N.
    [Show full text]
  • E-Digest on Ambedkar's Appropriation by Hindutva Ideology
    Ambedkar’s Appropriation by Hindutva Ideology An E-Digest Compiled by Ram Puniyani (For Private Circulation) Center for Study of Society and Secularism & All India Secular Forum 602 & 603, New Silver Star, Behind BEST Bus Depot, Santacruz (E), Mumbai: - 400 055. E-mail: [email protected], www.csss-isla.com Page | 1 E-Digest - Ambedkar’s Appropriation by Hindutva Ideology Preface Many a debates are raging in various circles related to Ambedkar’s ideology. On one hand the RSS combine has been very active to prove that RSS ideology is close to Ambedkar’s ideology. In this direction RSS mouth pieces Organizer (English) and Panchjanya (Hindi) brought out special supplements on the occasion of anniversary of Ambedkar, praising him. This is very surprising as RSS is for Hindu nation while Ambedkar has pointed out that Hindu Raj will be the biggest calamity for dalits. The second debate is about Ambedkar-Gandhi. This came to forefront with Arundhati Roy’s introduction to Ambedkar’s ‘Annihilation of Caste’ published by Navayana. In her introduction ‘Doctor and the Saint’ Roy is critical of Gandhi’s various ideas. This digest brings together some of the essays and articles by various scholars-activists on the theme. Hope this will help us clarify the underlying issues. Ram Puniyani (All India Secular Forum) Mumbai June 2015 Page | 2 E-Digest - Ambedkar’s Appropriation by Hindutva Ideology Contents Page No. Section A Ambedkar’s Legacy and RSS Combine 1. Idolatry versus Ideology 05 By Divya Trivedi 2. Top RSS leader misquotes Ambedkar on Untouchability 09 By Vikas Pathak 3.
    [Show full text]
  • The Edicts of King Ashoka
    THE EDICTS OF KING ASHOKA An English rendering by Ven. S. Dhammika THE EDICTS OF KING ASHOKA Table of Contents THE EDICTS OF KING ASHOKA........................................................................................................................1 An English rendering by Ven. S. Dhammika.................................................................................................1 PREFACE......................................................................................................................................................1 INTRODUCTION.........................................................................................................................................2 THE FOURTEEN ROCK EDICTS...............................................................................................................4 KALINGA ROCK EDICTS..........................................................................................................................8 MINOR ROCK EDICTS...............................................................................................................................9 THE SEVEN PILLAR EDICTS..................................................................................................................10 THE MINOR PILLAR EDICTS..................................................................................................................13 NOTES.........................................................................................................................................................13
    [Show full text]
  • DIRECTORY 2018-19 New .Cdr
    Directory2019 YJCCI DHARMA CHAKRA at Village Topra Kalan, Distt. Yamunanagar YAMUNANAGAR - JAGADHRI CHAMBER OF COMMERCE AND INDUSTRY Yamunanagar, Haryana, INDIA C/o. ORIENTAL ENGG. WORKS PVT. LTD., INDUSTRIAL AREA, YAMUNA NAGAR -135001 (HARYANA) Tel. : +91 1732-251750 • E-mail : [email protected], [email protected] • Web : www.yjcci.com Special Steel Components Corporation · AN ISO 9001, ISO 14001 & OHSAS 18001 CERTIFIED COMPANY · Process Control Solutions & Turnkey Instrumentation Projects for Oil and Gas Refineries and Petrochemical Industries. World Class & Hightech Equipment, Safety Fittings, Valves / Gauges and Computerized System For Large LPG Storage & Bottling Plants. TM BSI OF MULTI ER LAT B ER M A E L M R E T C IAF N O E GN EM ACCREDITED ITION ARRANG INTEGRATED MANAGEMENT SYSTEM In Technical Collaboration With: MIDLAND ROCHESTER GAUGES MANUFACTURING CORPORATION INTERNATIONAL S.A. USA & EUROPE TOKYO KEISO CO., LTD. JAPAN USA METAL GOODS M A N U F O PRODUCTS A C T M U MGM LP-GAS EQUIPMENT R GI N G M EXCESS FLOW CHECK VALVES Engineered Controls COMPANY USA International, Inc. SCG (Thailand) Germany With Best Compliments From: NK Gupta, Vinod Gupta & Vishal Gupta M-9, Industrial Area, Yamunanagar - 135 001 (Haryana) INDIA Tel.: +91-1732-255055 to 60 • Fax: +91-1732-255057 • E-mail: [email protected] • Web: www.specialsteel.net 1 2 UPPER INDIA Mfrs of ZINC OXIDE 382715: +91-9978629532, +91-8572800368 UPPER INDIA 9215822418 3 EXECUTIVE COUNCIL For the Year 2018-2019 ATUL GUPTA RAJESH KHARBANDA MUNISH DHIMAN President Vice President Secretary ISH ANAND SAMIRA SALUJA VARINDER MEHANDIRATTA Treasurer Secretary General Joint Secretary EXECUTIVE MEMBERS Arun Oberoi Jaideep S.
    [Show full text]
  • 8. States After the Maurya Empire
    8. States after the Maurya Empire 8.1 The Shunga dynasty 8.1 The Shunga dynasty 8.2 Indo-Greek kings After Emperor Ashoka, Maurya power 8.3 Kushana kings started declining. The last Maurya Emperor 8.4 The Gupta dynasty was called Brihadratha. The Maurya 8.5 The Vardhan dynasty General Pushyamitra Shunga revolted against Brihadratha, killed him and 8.6 Powers in Northeast India became the king himself. 8.2 Indo-Greek kings Emperor Kanishka : Kanishka’s During this period, there were several empire extended from Kabul in the west small kingdoms ruled by Greek kings to to Varanasi in the east. Gold and copper the northwest of the Indian subcontinent. coins minted by him have been found in Those kings are known as Indo-Greek North India. The fourth Buddhist kings. In the history of the coins of ancient Council was held in Kashmir during his India, the coins of these kings are very reign. He established the city of important. They had a tradition of putting Kanishkapur in Kashmir. It is believed the picture of the king on one side and that the village of Kampur near Srinagar that of a deity on the other side. This today could be Kanishkapur. tradition later took root in India. One of The well-known poet Ashvaghosh the famous Indo-Greek kings was lived during the reign of Kanishka. He Menander, who discussed Buddhist wrote the texts ‘Buddhacharita’ and philosophy with the Buddhist bhikkhu, ‘Vajrasuchi’. The famous vaidya Nagasena. Menander is also referred to as Charaka was also in Kanishka’s court.
    [Show full text]
  • 6. Art of Mauryan Period
    ASHOKA THE GREAT : REPRESENTING THE ACME OF INDIAN CULTURE 1 ARTS OF THE MAURYAN PERIOD 3 Royal Palace 4 Pillars, Sculptures and Rock-cut Architecture 5 Pillars 5 LION CAPITAL, SARNATH 6 Bull Capital , Rampurva 8 Sculptures 9 DIDARGUNJ YAKSHINI 9 Yaksha, Parkham, Mathura 11 Rock Cut Cave- Lomus Rishi 12 Chaitya, karle 14 Stupas 15 Pottery 19 Coins 20 Donors and Patronage 21 ASHOKA THE GREAT : REPRESENTING THE ACME OF INDIAN CULTURE Ashoka occupies a unique place in the history of India. His policies of universal peace, non-violence and religious harmony find no parallel in the monarchs of the world. Ashoka stands out as a monarch who combined successful kingship with idealism and philosophy. Like other rulers, Ashoka too began his reign with war - the conquest of Kalinga. However, the mindless destruction of life and property in this war shattered him so greatly that he vowed never to wage any war again. Instead he adopted the policy of Dhamma Vijaya that is conquest through dhamma. Page !1 of !22 In his thirteenth major Rock Edict, Asoka states that true conquest is by piety (the quality of being religious or reverent) and virtue. Such a decision taken by a king, who lived in an era where military might was the measure of power, earned him a unique place in history. Ashoka was a true humanist. His policies were oriented towards the welfare of his people. His dhamma was based on social responsibility. Besides giving importance to respecting brahmins, and servants, obedience to elders, abstention from killing living beings, dhamma also asked people to live in religious harmony.
    [Show full text]
  • Depiction of Asoka Raja in the Buddhist Art of Gandhara
    Journal of the Research Society of Pakistan Volume No. 54, Issue No. 2 (July - December, 2017) Mahmood-ul-Hasan * DEPICTION OF ASOKA RAJA IN THE BUDDHIST ART OF GANDHARA Abstract Asoka was the grandson of the Chndragupta Maurya, founder of one of the greatest empires of the ancient India (321-297 BC). The empire won by Chandragupta had passed to his son Bindusara, after his death, it was again transmitted to his son Asoka. During early years of his kingship he was a very harsh ruler. But after witnessing the miseries and suffering of people during the Kalinga War (260 BCE.) Ashoka converted to Buddhism and decided to substitute the reign of the peace and tranquility for that of violence. Due to his acts of piety and love for the Buddhist faith he become the most popular and personality after Buddha for the Buddhists. Many legends associated with him i.e. “a handful dust”, “redistribution of Relics”, “ his visit of underwater stupa at Ramagrama” are depicted in Gandhara Art. In the present article an effort has been made to identify and analyze the legends of Ashoka in the light of their historical background. Keywords: Chandragupta Maurya, Bindusara, Ashoka, Kalanga war, Buddhism. Introduction The Buddhist Art of Gandhara came in to being in the last century before the Christian era, when the Sakas were ruling in the North-West (Marshall, 1973:17) and further developed during the Parthian period (1st century A.D.). Like the Sakas, the Parthians were confirmed philhellenes and proud of their Hellenistic culture, and not only had they large numbers of Greek subjects in their empire but they were in a position to maintain close commercial contacts with the Mediterranean coasts (Ibid: 6).
    [Show full text]
  • Village & Townwise Primary Census Abstract, Yamunanagar, Part XII A
    CENSUS OF INDIA 1991 SERIES -8 HARYANA DISTRICT CEN.SUS HANDBOOK PART XII - A & B VILLAGE & TOWN DIRECTORY VILLAGE &TOWNWISE PRIMARY CENSUS ABSTRACT DISTRICT YAMUNANAGAR Direqtor of Census Operations Haryana Published by : The Government of Haryana. 1995 ir=~~~==~==~==~====~==~====~~~l HARYANA DISTRICT YAMUNANAGAR t, :~ Km 5E3:::a::E0i:::=::::i====310==::::1i:5==~20. Km C.O.BLOCKS A SADAURA B BILASPUR C RADAUR o JAGADHRI E CHHACHHRAULI C.D.BLOCK BOUNDARY EXCLUDES STATUTORY TOWN (S) BOUNDARIES ARE UPDATED UPTO 1.1.1990 W. R.C. WORKSHOP RAILWAY COLONY DISTRICT YAMUNANAGAR CHANGE IN JURI50lC TION 1981-91 KmlO 0 10 Km L__.j___l BOUNDARY, STATE ... .. .. .. _ _ _ DISTRICT _ TAHSIL C D. BLOCK·:' .. HEADQUARTERS: DISTRICT; TAHSIL; e.D. BLOCK @:©:O STATE HIGHWAY.... SH6 IMPORT ANi MEiALLED ROAD RAILWAY LINE WITH STATION. BROAD GAUGE RS RIVER AND STREAMI CANAL ~/---­ - Khaj,wan VILLAGE HAVING 5000 AND ABOVE POPULATION WITH NAME - URBAN AREA WITH POPULATION SIZE-CLASS I,II,IV &V .. POST AND TElEGRAPH OFFICE. PTO DEGREE COLLEGE AND TECHNICAL INSTITUTION ... ••••1Bl m BOUNDARY, STATE DISTRICT REST HOUSE, TRAVELLERS' BUNGALOW, FOREST BUNGALOW RH TB rB CB TA.HSIL AND CANAL BUNGALOW NEWLY CREATED DISTRICT YAMuNANAGAR Other villages having PTO/RH/TB/FB/CB, ~tc. are shown as .. .Damla HAS BEEN FORMED BY TRANSFERRING PTO AREA FROM :- Western Yamuna Canal W.Y.C. olsTRle T AMBAl,A I DISTRICT KURUKSHETRA SaSN upon Survt'y of India map with tn. p.rmission of theo Survt'yor Gf'nf'(al of India CENSUS OF INDIA - 1991 A - CENTRAL GOVERNMENT PUBLICATIONS The publications relating to Haryana bear series No.
    [Show full text]
  • National Emblem - Interesting Facts to Know for IAS Exam
    National Emblem - Interesting Facts to Know for IAS Exam National Emblem of India is a representative seal of Republic of India that is based on Lion Capital of Ashoka Pillar (based in Sarnath, Uttar Pradesh.) The motto of Indian National Emblem is ‘Satyamev Jayate’ or ‘Truth Alone Triumphs.’ it makes one of the ​National Symbols of India.​ Though the questions from this topic may not directly be asked in ​IAS Exam​ the important facts about the National Emblem can help aspirants in Mains exam and Essay. What is an Emblem? An emblem by description is “a heraldic instrument or symbolic object as a unique insignia of a nation, organization, or family”. The National Emblem of a nation is a seal that is earmarked for official purposes and orders the highest admiration and loyalty. For a nation, it is a symbol of power and signifies the foundation of its constitutional values. The Indian National Emblem was accepted on 26 January 1950 by Madhav Sawhney. According to rules, the National Emblem of India can only be used as per provisions of the State Emblem of India (Prohibition of Improper Use) Act-2005 and any unauthorized use is punishable under law. This article is about the National Emblem of India – historical background, rules related to the emblem, meaning of the symbols engraved in it. This topic is important for various ​government exams​ in the Prelims section. 14 Facts about National Emblem of India for UPSC A list of 14 facts about Indian National Emblem is provided below: 1. The Ashoka pillar, erected by ​Emperor Ashoka​, has four lions seated back to back which imply power, courage, confidence and pride.
    [Show full text]
  • U.S. Ambassador to China Terry Branstad
    U.S. Ambassador to China Terry Branstad On December 7, 2016, Governor Branstad announced that he had accepted the nomination from President-elect Donald Trump to serve as Ambassador of the United States to the People’s Republic of China. He was confirmed by the Senate on May 22, 2017, and was sworn in on May 24, 2017. Ambassador Terry Branstad was born, raised and educated in Iowa. A native of Leland, Branstad was elected to the Iowa House in 1972, ’74 and ’76, and elected as Iowa’s lieutenant governor in 1978. Branstad was Iowa’s longest-serving governor, from 1983 to 1999. As the state’s chief executive, he weathered some of Iowa’s worst economic turmoil, during the farm crisis of the ‘80s, while helping lead the state’s resurgence to a booming economy in the ‘90s. At the end of his tenure, Iowa enjoyed record employment, an unprecedented $900 million budget surplus, and the enactment of historic government overhauls that led to greater efficiencies in state government. As a result of Governor Branstad’s hands-on, round-the-clock approach to economic development, Iowa’s unemployment rate went from 8.5 percent when he took office to a record low 2.5 percent by the time he left in 1999. Following his four terms as governor, Branstad served as president of Des Moines University (DMU). During his 6-year tenure, he was able to grow the university into a world-class educational facility. Its graduates offer health care in all 50 states and in nearly every Iowa county.
    [Show full text]
  • Reclaiming Buddhist Sites in Modern India: Pilgrimage and Tourism in Sarnath and Bodhgaya
    RECLAIMING BUDDHIST SITES IN MODERN INDIA: PILGRIMAGE AND TOURISM IN SARNATH AND BODHGAYA RUTIKA GANDHI Bachelor of Arts, University of Lethbridge, 2014 A Thesis Submitted to the School of Graduate Studies of the University of Lethbridge in Partial Fulfilment of the Requirements for the Degree MASTER OF ARTS Department of Religious Studies University of Lethbridge LETHBRIDGE, ALBERTA, CANADA ©Rutika Gandhi, 2018 RECLAIMING BUDDHIST SITES IN MODERN INDIA: PILGRIMAGE AND TOURISM IN SARNATH AND BODHGAYA RUTIKA GANDHI Date of Defence: August 23, 2018 Dr. John Harding Associate Professor Ph.D. Supervisor Dr. Hillary Rodrigues Professor Ph.D. Thesis Examination Committee Member Dr. James MacKenzie Associate Professor Ph.D. Thesis Examination Committee Member Dr. James Linville Associate Professor Ph.D. Chair, Thesis Examination Committee Dedication This thesis is dedicated to my beloved mummy and papa, I am grateful to my parents for being so understanding and supportive throughout this journey. iii Abstract The promotion of Buddhist pilgrimage sites by the Government of India and the Ministry of Tourism has accelerated since the launch of the Incredible India Campaign in 2002. This thesis focuses on two sites, Sarnath and Bodhgaya, which have been subject to contestations that precede the nation-state’s efforts at gaining economic revenue. The Hindu-Buddhist dispute over the Buddha’s image, the Saivite occupation of the Mahabodhi Temple in Bodhgaya, and Anagarika Dharmapala’s attempts at reclaiming several Buddhist sites in India have led to conflicting views, motivations, and interpretations. For the purpose of this thesis, I identify the primary national and transnational stakeholders who have contributed to differing views about the sacred geography of Buddhism in India.
    [Show full text]
  • National Symbols
    National Symbols National Flag 1. The National flag is a horizontal tricolour of deep saffron (Kesaria) at the top, white in the middle and dark green at the bottom in equal proportion. The ratio of width of the flag to its length is two to three. In the centre of the white band is a navy-blue wheel which represents the chakra. Its design is that of the wheel which appears on the abacus of the Sarnath Lion Capital of Ashoka. Its diameter approximates to the width of the white band and it has 24 spokes. The design of the National Flag was adopted by the Constituent Assembly of India on 22 July 1947. 2. Apart from non-statutory instructions issued by the Government from time to time, display of the National Flag is governed by the provisions of the Emblems and names (Prevention of Improper Use) Act, 1950 (No.12 of 1950) and the Prevention of Insults to National Honour Act, 1971 (No. 69 of 1971). 3. The Flag Code of India, 2002, took effect from 26 January 2002 which brings together all such laws, conventions, practices and instructions for the guidance and benefit of all concerned. 4. In an important judgement in January, 2004 the Supreme Court (under the chairmanship of the Chief Justice B. N. Khare) pronounce that unfurling (hoisting) of National Flag is a fundamental right under Article 19 (1) (A). Note : For the first time the National Flag of India was hoisted in the mid-night of 14th August, 1947. State Emblem 1. The state emblem is an adaptation from the Sarnath Lion Capital of Ashoka.
    [Show full text]