The Hellinistic impact on the Indian art and architecture, manifesting itself in the form of Gandhara school of Art moved on from Texila to Mathura and Sarnath. The territory of Gandhara was the main center of this art.
After Alexander’s invasion of India in 326 B.C., the Indo-Greek, Indo-Scythian and Kushan kings ruled over its north-western territories. Under their patronage emerged a distinct style of sculpture popularly known as the Graeco-Buddhist or Gandhara art or Hellenistic art. It was a product of a combination of Hellenistic, West Asiatic and native elements. Greek and Roman techniques were, modified according to the Indian requirements. This period lasted from 4th Century B.C to 1st Century A.D. The Buddha, who was till this time represented through symbols, now came to be conceived in human form. Henceforth the image became the main element of sculpture and came to be worshipped by Buddhists.
Mahayan Budhist was responsible for the growth of this art. The territory of Gandhara was the main seat of this art.The province of Gandhara was the meeting place of the Indian, Chinese, Iranian and Graeco-Roman cultures. The art of Gandhara was also
influenced by these foreign cultures, especially the Graeco-Roman culture. This art originated in Bactria and Parthia under Greek rulers. In this art the statues and images of Lord Buddha were constructed following Greek technique, but the idea, spirit and personalities were Indian. That is why it is called Graeco-Buddhist art or Indo-Greek art or Hellenistic art. As R.C. Majumdar has observed “The Gandhara artist had the hands of a Greek and the heart of an Indian.”
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(1) The statues of Buddha and Bodhisattvas were made in the likeness of the Greek Gods.
(2) Greater attention was paid to the representation of realistic images with accuracy of anatomical features.
(3) Great attention was paid to refinement and polish.
(4) In this art artists use grey stone and slate.
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(5) Attention is also paid on ornaments depicting Greek style.
(6) Gandhara images seem to resemble Apollo. Sometimes this resemble Graeco- Roman in drapery. But most of the images are represented as seated in the typical Indian Yogic posture.
Besides Gandhara, Mathura, another school of art also developped in parallel during this period. Artists at Mathura choose red sand stone as the material for making images and statues. The headless statue of Kanishka is a important creation of the Mathura school of art.
The art works of Gandhara school found at Bimaran, Hastanagar, Sakra, Dheri, Hadda and various parts of Taxila. Most of the specimens are kept in the museum of Peshawar. Notable among these are the images of Buddha. It also affected the art and sculpture of China and central Asia. Kramrisch says “Gandhara occupies a position apart, for it is Indian and colonial from a Hellenistic point of view. It is Hellenistic and colonial when viewed from India. Gandhara School of art is the best example of Hellenistic impact on Indian art and architecture.”