Schist
100-200 CE
Northern Indian Subcontient
Indian Museum, Kolkata
Details
Culture/Civilisation
Ancient India
Theme
Ancient Societies
Subtheme
Death in Ancient India – Cyclical Existence
Case Title
Cyclical existence
Display Location
Coomaraswamy Hall
Findspot
Gandhara region, Pakistan or Afghanistan
Measurements
19.5 x 40 x 5 cm
Accession Number
unnumbered/GRS-74/ALM-66
Description
This scene shows the cremation of the Buddha following his Mahaparinirvana (‘final liberation’), with rituals appropriate for a universal monarch. The empty throne with parasol shows Buddha’s continuing spiritual presence. Exceptionally, his ashes and bones were preserved and eventually divided and dispersed as relics to be venerated.
