Plates: Indian Ship in Sculpture at Borobudur, Java & Indian Ship in Sculpture at Vimala Vasahi, Mt. Abu
By Unexhibited
Summary
These plates present photographs of ancient sculptures depicting Indian ships. The first image comes from the Buddhist monument of Borobudur in Java, Indonesia, built around the 8th century. The relief shows a large wooden vessel with outriggers and a high stern, illustrating the advanced maritime technology of ancient India. The second photograph is from the Vimala Vasahi temple at Mount Abu in Rajasthan, a 11th‑century Jain temple. Here, a carved panel portrays a ship with multiple masts and a crew, possibly symbolising commercial voyages undertaken by Jain merchants. By juxtaposing these two images, the article highlights the maritime connections between India and Southeast Asia and the presence of sea travel motifs in both Buddhist and Jain art. The plates also remind readers of the historical participation of Jain traders in overseas commerce and the cultural exchanges that trade facilitated. These images serve as visual evidence of India’s nautical heritage and complement the preceding story of Makandiyas.
Conclusion
The plates underscore that maritime trade has been integral to Indian civilisation and that Jain and Buddhist communities were part of this seafaring world. They invite reflection on the interconnectedness of cultures and the artistic documentation of everyday life in temple art.