Sculptures of Assam

This book is an exhaustive study on the sculptural development of Assam from the earliest time to the end of the Ahom Monarchy (1826), with all aspects of sculptural trends in Assam. This book is the first of this kind on the sculptural art of Assam. In spite of the ravages made by the natural conditions the author has spared no pains to examine and analyse its chronological developments.

Though the art of Assam is an integral part of the Indian art tradition, the author explains how few local Schools also made their mark. Assam experienced five major art schools-viz Classical Art, Lingering of the Classical Art, Deopani School, East Indian School of Mediaeval Art, the Late Mediaeval sculpture of Assam and some Central Indian and local styles. In doing so, he skillfully explains the basic trends of the sculptural development in Assam. He also explains how the Social factors directly influenced religious and artistic developments and explains the so called "Western influence" is a colonial view of the imperialists which was being shaped into a theory during the last two centuries of the colonial rule.

Recounting the sculptural art of Assam in all its implications is the prime endeavour of the author. In spite of its rich heritage its history and culture is generally under played at present. A cursory glance will show that the rich heritage of sculptural art is an integral part of the history of Indian art.

No sculptural and architectural evidence earlier than the 4th century A.D. has been found in Assam till now. It may, therefore, be presumed that the social life of Assam was predominantly tribal till the 3rd-4th century, and the religious customs of the people of Assam of this period was symbolic worship of various mythical deities, like that of the early Vedic people.

The Deopani School of Sculptural Art of Assam proves that there was a tradition of wooden Sculpture in Assam-like that of the pre-Maurya India in general. Fifth century A.D. marked the beginning of the art of sculptures in stone in Assam - which in turn was the result of Gupta influence similar to the Persian and Greek invasions which fostered stone carving in India.

Whatever may be the fact, from the 5th century A.D. Assam passed through the cross-roads of Sculptural development till the early 19th century when the Ahom monarchy collapsed completely. Five major art schools viz. Classical Art, Lingering of the Classical Art, Deopani School, East Indian School of Medieval Art, the late Medieval Sculpture of Assam and some Central Indian and local styles can be recognized in Assam.

As a post-graduate student in the Gauhati University I found that Assam possessed a rich heritage of sculptural art and this induced me to study the history of its sculptural art. This book forms my doctoral thesis. The name of my thesis was "A Study of The Temple Sculpture of Assam". Since this work covers both religious and secular sculptures of Assam, I have named the present work as THE SCULPTURE OF ASSAM. I am grateful and indebted to late Dr V.B. Mishra the former Professor and Head of the Department of History, and Dean Faculty of Arts, Gauhati University, Assam, for his guidance and sympathetic help in writing the thesis. I am also grateful to Sri G.N. Bhuyan, Director of Archaeology, Assam, Dr. Pradip Ch. Sarma, Deputy Director, Department of Archaeology Assam, Sri B.B. De, Reader in the Department of History, Gauhati University for their valuable suggestions. I wish to thank Prasanta Kumar Katoni of Jorhat, Lechang Turung and Pabitra Shyam Gohain of Sarupathar, Baneswar Siring of Dubarani Shyam Gaon (Barpathar) and Mostak Ali of Sivasagar, who helped me in my field work. I am indebted to both the authorities of Museum and Archaeology, Govt. of Assam, both the departments supplying me some important photographs.

Financial help from my parents and brothers, is primarily responsible for my being able to complete the research work.

Monoranjan Dutta