Essay name: Scythian Elements in early Indian Art
Author:
Swati Ray
Affiliation: University of Calcutta / Department of Ancient Indian History and Culture
This essay studies Scythian Elements in early Indian Art—a topic that has not garnered extensive scholarly attention. Although much research has focused on various aspects of Saka/Scythian culture, such as politics and numismatics, their contribution to Indian art remains underexplored. This essay delves into archaeological evidence, historical texts, and art forms from Eurasian steppes to decipher the Scythian impact.
Preface
4 (of 6)
External source: Shodhganga (Repository of Indian theses)
Download the PDF file of the original publication
vi
(IV, V and VI) has been attempted to be aided with illustrations (Plates 1
to 235). The Plates are to be found in Volume II of our work. Besides a
'Select Bibliography', we have included two maps
two maps
showing the
Scythian/Saka/Saka sites.
Regarding the System of Transliteration, diacritical markings have
been used to a minimum. I have assumed that modern names of towns
and cities in Central Asia and the Indian subcontinent are in sufficiently
current usage and do not, therefore, require any diacritical definition. In
order to avoid any confusion, we point out in this connection that the
diacritical markings for the term Saka/Saka have been used only when it
is mentioned in the Indian context.
Several eminent scholars have enlightened me with valuable
suggestions. I am thankful to all of them. I specially thank Prof. Dr.
Yaroslav Vasilkov of the Institute of Oriental Studies, St. Petersburg, and
Prof. J. D. Kimball of the Centre for Eurasian Studies for Nomads,
Berkeley, U.S.A. I have no words to express my gratitude to my
respected teacher,
teacher,
the eminent Indologist, Prof. Dr. Samaresh
Bandyopadhyay for his kind, inspiring and thoughtful supervision of my
thesis as well as for his untiring response to my queries at all times. I am
grateful to my esteemed teachers Prof. Dr. B.N.Mukherjee and Prof. Dr.
