Discovery of a New Historical Stone Horse
By Jagannath Das Ratnakar
Summary
This report describes the discovery of a sculpted stone horse bearing an inscription, identified near Khairigarh in the Lakhimpur Kheri district. The sculpture is carved from sandstone and portrays a horse with elaborate trappings. An inscription on its pedestal records the name of the Gupta emperor Samudra Gupta, suggesting the piece dates to the fourth century. The author recounts the circumstances of its discovery, the archaeological methods used in its extraction and its subsequent transfer to the Lucknow Museum. Comparative analysis is made with other Gupta‑era equine sculptures and with coins and inscriptions that depict royal horses. The stylistic features, such as the rendering of the mane and saddle, are discussed in relation to Gupta art. The find is important for understanding royal iconography and the spread of Gupta influence into the northern districts. The paper calls for further surveys in the region to uncover related artefacts.
Conclusion
The discovery of the inscribed stone horse adds a valuable piece to the mosaic of Gupta‑period art and epigraphy. By documenting the find and analysing its features, the author underscores the importance of regional explorations for reconstructing the political and artistic history of early India.