Development of Iconography in Pre-Gupta Vanga

Contents: Foreword. Preface. 1. Introduction: Scope, sources and methods. 2. Geographical, political and socio-economic background. 3. Religious faiths in ancient Vanga. 4. Iconic types of local origin. 5. Brahmanical icons. 6. Buddhist icons. 7. Concluding remarks. Select bibliography. List of illustrations. Index.

"The present monograph makes an analytical and exhaustive study of different iconic representations appearing in numerous terracotta plaques and also in uninscribed and inscribed seals (carrying legends in Brahmi, Kharoshti and/or a mixed script called Kharoshti-Brahmi), besides a number of artifacts in stone, ivory and wood found in ancient Vanga that included within its limits the lower West Bengal and the coastal zone of Bangladesh upto the mouth of the Padma or rather the joint streams of the Padma, Meghna and Brahmaputra. The critical study shows that an undercurrent force of polytheistic beliefs was prevailing in the land of ancient Vanga during the post-Maurya and pre-Gupta period and deities of Brahmanical faith, of Buddhist religion and of local origin were allowed to be adorned and worshipped in a spirit of peaceful religious co-existence."  (jacket)