Stupas
- Stupas became larger and more decorative in the post-Mauryan period.
- Stone was increasingly used in place of wood and brick.
- The Shunga dynasty introduced the idea of torans as beautifully decorated gateways to the stupas.
- For example – Bharhut Stupa in Madhya Pradesh, toran at Sanchi Stupa in Madhya Pradesh
Schools of Sculpture
| Basis | Gandhara School | Mathura School | Amaravati School |
| External Influence | Heavy influence of Greek or Hellenistic sculpture,also known as Indo-Greek art. | It was developed indigenously and not influenced by external cultures. | It was developed indigenously and not influenced by external cultures. |
| Material Used | Early Gandhara School used bluish-grey sandstone while the later period saw the use of mud and stucco | The sculptures of Mathura School were made using spotted red sandstone. | The sculptures of Amaravati School were made using white marble. |
| Religious Influence | Mainly Buddhist imagery | Influence of Hinduism, Jainism and Buddhism | Mainly Buddhist influence. |
| Patronage | Patronised by Kushana rulers | Patronised by Kushana rulers | Patronized by Satvahana rulers |
| Area of Development | Developed in the North West Frontier | Developed in and around Mathura, Sonkh and Kankalitila | It developed in the Krishna-Godavari lower valley, in and around Amaravati and Nagarjunakonda. |
| Features of Buddha Sculpture | The Buddha is shown in a spiritual state, with wavy hair.
He wears fewer ornaments and seated in a yogi position. The eyes are half-closed as in meditation. A protuberance is shown on the head signifying the omniscience of Buddha. |
Buddha is shown in a delighted mood with a smiling face.
The body symbolizes mascularity, wearing tight dress. The face and head are shaven. Buddha is seated in padmasana with different mudras and his face reflects grace. A similar protuberance is shown on the head. |
Since the sculptures are generally part of a narrative art, there is less emphasis on the individual features of Buddha.
The sculptures generally depict life stories of Buddha and the Jataka tales, i.e., previous lives of Buddha in both human and animal form. |