ANALYSIS OF BUDDHIST SCULPTURES (A Case Study of Malakand Collection in Swat Museum)

Abstract

This work studies the selected sculptures of the Malakand collection, which represent important and striking features of the Gandhāra Art. The great collection is significant due to its historical importance and variety in the depiction of the postures and events. These sculptures, on one hand, reflect the traditions and practices of Buddhism in Gandhāra and, on the other hand, they depict the quality of art, the psyche and devotion of the followers and artists. Many research studies on the art, style and architecture of the Swat valley have been carried out and the present project focuses on systematic documentation and analysis of the collection. Total 134 sculptures of the present collection have been documented and a complete catalogue of the stone sculptures has been made. The classification of the sculptures is based upon the thematic and stylistic analysis and stone material used in the making of the sculptures. To establish the chronology and to give the proper place of origin, the sculptures of present collection were deeply and thoroughly studied from the perspective of Zonal Workshops mentioned by M. Farooq Swati in the Swat valley. During the present research on Malakand collection; it is observed that the art had accepted the foreign impact during different periods of time. The quality of art, style and material used for making the sculptures show that the artist kept all the socio- economic and religious conditions of the time in his mind while carving these sculptures. The research methodology of the present study is based on descriptive as well as analytical approach. The architectural elements used for the decoration of stūpas, votive stūpas and monasteries were studied in detail and it was observed that the same pottery, furniture and the architectural elements like Persepolitan and Corinthian pillars continue to the present and are visible in the villages of Malakand and other part of Gandhāra region.