Stone Artifact

HISTORY OF STONE ARTIFACTS

FESTIVITIES AROUND THE RELIC OF THE TURBANSATVAHANA; ABOUT AD 150 PHANIGIRI, TELANGANA, INDIA DEPARTMENT OF ARCHAEOLOGY AND MUSEUMS, GOVERNMENT OF TELANGANA

In an age of empires when ideas of kingship were based on the assertion of power, this sculpture reveals a parallel concept from Indian philosophy that endorses surrendering power.

A significant model for this was the Buddha or Prince Siddhartha who gave up the promise of kingship, symbolised by the removal of his kingly turban, to fulfill his quest for Enlightenment instead.

This sculpture in the Amaravati style comes from the congregation hall of a Buddhist temple in the village of Phanigiri.