Ancient South Asia

Prehistory to c. 500 CE

Ancient Gandhara sculpture of a figure, possibly representing Buddha, with intricate hair and facial features, against a blue background.

From the Indus Valley Civilization to the Great Stupa at Sanchi, the art and architecture of ancient South Asia continue to impress

What is South Asia?

India, Sri Lanka, Afghanistan, Pakistan, Nepal, Bhutan, Bhutan, and the Maldives are all part of South Asia. Some would also include Afghanistan in this list.

Indus Valley Civilization

c. 3300–1300 BCE

Indus Valley Civilization flourished primarily in the region of modern-day Pakistan and northwest India

Two ancient seals or stamps with animal engravings and inscriptions, placed on display on a beige fabric surface.

Indus Valley Seals

Early Writing in Indus Valley Civilization (Harappan Civilization)

Important terms and concepts

Indus Valley Civilization

Seals

Harappa

Mohenjo-daro

Early Buddhist Art

c. 500 BCE–400 CE

Buddhism originated in South Asia around 500 BCE

Who is Siddhartha Gautama, the prince who became The Buddha?

Located in the region of present-day northwest Pakistan and eastern Afghanistan

Gandhara

Ancient stone relief with intricate carvings depicting figures and architectural elements in a museum setting.

The aniconic Buddha

The aniconic Buddha is found on reliefs from Bharhut Stupa.

A rectangular stone relief shows a larger figure, the Buddha, surrounded by smaller figures that look at him

What is Deer Park?

The Buddha's first sermon at Deer Park and the Four Noble Truths and the Eightfold Path.

people gather around a woman as she gives birth to a baby from her side

The birth of the Buddha

Queen Maya giving birth to the Buddha is depicted on an ancient stupa relief.

Stone sculpture of a Buddha surrounded by other figures, with intricate carvings of leaves and animals in the background.

The Buddha's enlightenment (nirvana)

An ancient relief sculpture from Gandhara shows the Buddha’s enlightenment.

statue of an emaciated Buddha without a head in a museum

Fasting Buddha from Gandhara

Learn about an emaciated stone Buddhist sculpture.

people are wailing around a figure that is reclining on a bed

The death of the Buddha (parinirvana)

A Gandharan relief showing the death of the Buddha.

Ancient stone sculpture of a seated figure with a halo and ornate clothing, depicting a serene expression.

What is a bodhisattva?

Learn to identify one with a Gandharan sculpture.

Important terms and concepts

Aniconism

Bodhisattva

Siddartha Gautama

The Historical Buddha

Nirvana

Queen Maya

The Four Noble Truths

The Eightfold Path

Deer Park

Bodh Gaya

Parinirvana

Stupa

Mauryan Empire, c. 322–185 BCE

India’s first major empire that unified much of the subcontinent

Lion capital Sarnath Ashoka

Ashoka, His Edicts, and the Mauryan Empire

Explore with the Lion Capital at Sarnath.

The Great Stupa at Sanchi, a dome-shaped Buddhist structure with ornate gateways.

What is a stupa?

Learn about stupas with a relief sculpture and Stupa 1 at Sanchi.

What is continuous narrative?

Learn about the Great Departure relief sculpture on the eastern torana of Stupa 1 at Sanchi.

Important terms and concepts

Stupa

Torana

Ashoka

Lion Capital

Edict

Maurya Empire

The Great Departure

continuous narrative

Bamiyan Buddhas

Learn about the colossal Buddhas of Bamiyan in Afghanistan

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Large ancient rock carving of a seated Buddha figure in a cliffside, with multiple small cave openings and people exploring at the base.

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