Besides the animal sculptures described and discussed above, quite a consider­able number of independent figure sculptures of various size and proportion and a few fragments of reliefs have been ascribed to the Mauryan period on the ground of having the so-called Mauryan polish on them and being carved out of grey ,sand stone from Chunar.

At Parkhan near Mathura was found a colossal statue of a man, 7 ft. high, in grey and highly polished sand stone and bearing an inscription in Asokan Brahmi script. A complementary female statue was also found at Besanagar. The two statues of Yakshas have been found at Patana and a statue of a Chauri-bearer of Yakshini from Didarganj, which is considered to be one of the masterpieces of Indian art.

The traditional Indian beliefs connect the Yakshas and Yakshinis respectively as gods and goddesses of material plenty and physical welfare. Two male heads and three small fragments of head, of the same material and similarly polished, have been found from Sarnath. Anand Coomarswamy con­siders these figure sculptures as popular art, as distinguished from the court or official art.

Terracotta Objects:

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A large number of terracotta objects of various sizes have been found at almost all Mauryan sites extending from Pataliputra to Taxila. These terracotta objects have a well- defined shape and clear ornamentation. Terracotta’s consist of primitive idols, toys, beads, ornaments, etc.

The Mauryan age was a period of cultural bril­liance. The entire Northern India was under a very efficient central administration, and there was law and order and material prosperity. Amidst such peaceful atmosphere were produced the works of art of the highest excellence.

The stupas, the pil­lars, the caves and the edicts gave to the country a visible unity of culture. Indian art was raised from the position of the handicraft and primitive art the status and dignity of fine art – the finest know to the contemporary world.