Answer
Ancient Mathura was a very important city in India. It was famous not only for its trade and commerce but also for being a significant religious center. People worshipped various gods and goddesses there, and Mathura became a place where many religions grew and flourished. The art found in Mathura shows clearly how diverse and rich its religious life was. Let’s look at this closely.
Religious Importance of Ancient Mathura:
Mathura was a major religious center, attracting followers from various beliefs such as Hinduism, Buddhism, and Jainism. Each religion had its own style of art, and these can still be seen in the sculptures and temples found in Mathura.
1. Hinduism:
Mathura is famously connected to Lord Krishna, who is believed to have been born in the city. Therefore, Mathura became a very important place of worship for Hindus, especially those who follow Krishna.
- Example: Many statues and carvings from Mathura show scenes from Krishna’s life, such as him playing the flute, lifting the Govardhan Hill, or dancing with the gopis.
- The art clearly shows Krishna as a joyful and powerful god, and this form of Krishna is widely loved and worshipped even today.
2. Buddhism:
Mathura was also an essential center for Buddhism around 2,000 years ago. Many Buddhist monasteries and stupas (dome-shaped religious buildings) were constructed in the region. The art style known as “Mathura School of Art” emerged here, becoming famous throughout India and beyond.
- Example: A very famous statue is the Mathura Buddha, carved from red sandstone. These Buddha images often show him smiling gently, standing or sitting peacefully, symbolizing kindness, compassion, and wisdom.
- Mathura artists portrayed the Buddha as more human-like compared to earlier Buddhist art. This made the religion more appealing and accessible to common people.
3. Jainism:
Jainism also thrived in ancient Mathura. Many Jain sculptures, statues, and carvings have been discovered here, proving that the city was home to Jain communities who were wealthy enough to sponsor art and temples.
- Example: Statues of Jain Tirthankaras (spiritual leaders) have been found in Mathura. They were usually carved standing or sitting in a meditation posture, symbolizing peace and spiritual calmness.
- Jain images often had symbols like the lion or bull carved beneath the statues, representing spiritual strength and determination.
Special Features of Mathura Art:
- Use of Red Sandstone: Artists in Mathura mainly used red sandstone, easily available around the city. The use of this stone gave a unique, warm color and appearance to Mathura art.
- Realistic and Natural Images: Unlike some other ancient Indian art forms, Mathura artists depicted gods and religious figures realistically. The human bodies were carved with natural, lifelike shapes and expressions.
- Decoration and Jewelry: Sculptures from Mathura often wore beautifully carved jewelry, crowns, and garments, showcasing the wealth and richness of that period.
Significance of Mathura Art:
Mathura art is important historically because it shows how different religions peacefully existed together in the same city. The art from Mathura had a great influence on Indian sculpture and helped to shape the artistic traditions found later across India.
Examples of Famous Artworks from Mathura:
- The Standing Buddha: Shows Buddha in a peaceful pose, wearing simple robes, symbolizing spiritual wisdom.
- Statues of Krishna: Beautiful carvings of young Krishna performing miracles or playing music, expressing joy, love, and divine power.
- Jain Sculptures of Tirthankaras: Calm and peaceful figures sitting in meditation, highlighting simplicity and spiritual strength.
Conclusion:
Ancient Mathura’s religious landscape was rich, diverse, and highly creative. Through Hindu, Buddhist, and Jain artworks, we learn how people of different religions lived side by side, respected each other’s beliefs, and expressed their faith creatively. The sculptures and carvings from Mathura help us understand ancient India’s religious harmony, beauty, and artistic achievements.
For more political science assignment questions visit https://ignoucorner.com/ma-political-science/
To search other questions, visit https://ignoucorner.com/ignou-solved-assignments/
To see the assignment questions, visit https://webservices.ignou.ac.in/assignments/Master-Degree/MPS/2024-25/MPSE%202nd%20Year%20Year%202024-25%20(English)%20Assignment.pdf