The Great Departure

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Time Period
C. 2nd Century CE, Kushana, Gandhara

Location found
Loriyan Tangai (North-West part of Undivided India)

Dimension
H: 48.4, W: 12.5, L: 53 cm

Material
Schist

Number assigned
Accession No. 5043
Indian Museum, Kolkata, West Bengal

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The Great Departure relief depicts Prince Siddhartha leaving his palace to begin his spiritual quest. Carved in gray schist, the scene shows Siddhartha mounted on his horse Kanthaka, attended by celestial beings and courtiers. Two divine figures lift the horse’s hooves to silence his departure, symbolizing the prince’s renunciation of worldly life. Combining Hellenistic realism with Buddhist symbolism, the relief exemplifies Gandharan artistry and devotion, narrating a pivotal moment in the Buddha’s life with grace and depth.

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