Uma-Maheśvara Sculpture from Benares (A Reply)
By Dhirendra Chandra Ganguly
Summary
This short reply addresses criticism by Mr. D. B. Diskalkar, who argued that a sculpture from Benares previously classified as Gupta was actually from the Mathura school. The author reaffirms the sculpture’s Gupta affiliation, explaining that his classification was based on direct examination of the piece, whereas his critic had not seen the original. He points to features such as modelling, drapery, and proportions that align with Gupta aesthetics and discusses the local sandstone and find‑spot context to support his conclusion that the sculpture was produced in the Benares region.
Conclusion
This brief rejoinder defends the original classification of a Benares sculpture as a product of the Gupta school. It emphasises the need for firsthand examination of artefacts before making stylistic attributions and highlights the distinct features that differentiate Gupta art from contemporary Mathura sculpture.