Schools of Art- Gandhara, Mathura and Amravati school

Gandhara School of Art (50 BC to 500 AD)

• Region extending from Punjab to the borders of Afghanistan was an important centre of Mahayana Buddhism up to the 5th century AD.
• Imbibed all kinds of foreign influences like Persian, Greek, Roman, Saka and Kushan.
• Origin can be traced to the Greek rulers of Bactria and Northwest India.
• During the reign of Kanishka, art received great patronage.
• Also known as the Graeco- Buddhist School of Art since Greek techniques of Art were applied to Buddhist subjects.
• Most important contribution- evolution of beautiful images of the Buddha and Bodhisattavas, which were executed in black stone and ....