Government
Museum, Mathura
The museum in Mathura was conceived and established in 1874 by F S Growse,
the then collector. Originally called the Curzon Museum of Archaeology, the
name changed to Government Museum after it celebrated its centenary in 1974.
Planned as a repository of local sculpture styles, the galleries trace the evolution
of the Mathura school of art. It is believed that the first Buddha image emerged
here. The sculptors were inspired by depictions of meditating Jain tirthankaras
and the earlier more robust yakshas and yakshis to figuratively portray the
Buddha.
Consequently one sees the pattern of change and development in the Buddha image.
The early Buddhas and bodhisattvas were earthy and later, under the Guptas acquired
the familiar spiritual renderings of the Enlightened One. This impression is
evident in the sublime grace of the life size 5th century AD Buddha. It is believed
that the Mathura school flourished under the Kushana kings as many royal statues
were discovered. Of these the most outstanding is the headless figure of Kanishka,
dressed in central Asian robes, with feet encased in large boots, set wide apart,
holding a sword in one hand and its sheath in the other. Excavations in and
around Mathura have added to the collection.
The huge number of terracotta pieces include archaic mother goddesses, plaques
from the Sunga period and many images dating to the Kushana and Gupta eras.
The Goyindnagar site yielded a rich hoard of magnificent Buddhist sculpture
from the Kushana and Gupta periods. A dated Gupta period epigraph identifies
the site as the Viradatta Vihara. The Govindnagar discoveries are extremely
significant as they help establish an almost complete chronology of the Buddhist
pantheon as well as shows the growth of the Mathura school which reached its
zenith of perfection in the 5th century AD.
Government Museum
Museum Road
Dampier Park
Mathura 281 001
Timing: 10.00 to 5.00pm
Closed on Mondays and government holidays.
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