Pillars of Ashoka
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The pillars of Ashoka are a series of monolithic columns dispersed throughout the Indian subcontinent, erected—or at least inscribed with edicts—by the 3rd Mauryan Emperor Ashoka the Great, who reigne
One of the Pillars of Ashoka, in Vaishali
Lion Capital of Ashoka from Sarnath, with Wheel of the Moral Law (reconstitution). 3rd century BC.
Heliodorus pillar in Vidisha, India, 2nd Century BC
Shunga horseman carrying portable garuda standard, Bharhut 2nd Century BC
Mauryan art
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Mauryan art is art produced during the period of the Mauryan Empire, the first empire to rule over most of the Indian subcontinent, between 322 and 185 BCE. It represented an important transition in I
The Lion Capital of Ashoka, National Emblem of India, the most famous example of Mauryan art
Rampurva bull capital, detail of the abacus, with two "flame palmettes" framing a lotus surrounded by small rosette flowers.
The Pataliputra capital, showing both Achaemenid and Greek influence, with volute, bead and reel, meander and honeysuckle designs. Early Mauryan period, 4th-3rd century BC.
Single Lion capital at Vaishali