Q1.
Carefully observe this massive statue (1.85 m high) and notice the clothing, weapon, and footwear. What does it tell us about this figure?
Answer
Even without its head, the statue tells you almost everything. It is King Kaṇiṣhka, probably the most powerful ruler of the Kuṣhāṇa dynasty — the Brahmi inscription on it reads mahārāja rājadhirāja devaputra kaṇiṣhka, ‘The great king, king of kings, son of God, Kaṇiṣhka'.
| What you can see | What it tells us |
|---|---|
| A long, heavy stitched coat falling below the knees, over trousers | Central Asian dress, not Indian. It suits a cold climate and horseback riding — the Kuṣhāṇas came “originally from central Asia”. He is shown as he was: a ruler of foreign origin, and not ashamed of it |
| Heavy padded boots with a firm, wide stance | Riding boots — again the dress of a horse people. Feet planted apart: stability, authority, a man standing his ground |
| A long sword hanging at the left side, and a large mace or short sword held in the right hand | He is a warrior king. The mace is a symbol of command as much as a weapon |
| Size: 1.85 m — life-size and more | Meant to be seen and looked up to, in a public shrine or hall rather than a private room |
| The Brahmi inscription on the hem | He used the local script, and Indian royal titles. A foreign ruler presenting himself as an Indian emperor |
| Simple, unornamented surfaces | Power is shown by clothing and weapons, not by jewellery — very different from the Śhunga figures on page 123 |
The larger point: the statue is a picture of assimilation in progress. Central Asian coat, boots and sword; Indian stone, Indian script, Indian titles; and the very idea of setting up a royal portrait for people to honour. He did not stop being a Kuṣhāṇa, and he had become an Indian emperor.
Did you know? The head is missing because the statue was damaged long ago — that is why it is famous as the ‘headless' Kaṇiṣhka. It was found at Mat, near Mathura, the very region that gave its name to one of the two great schools of art in this chapter.