Medieval Indian temple sculptures are a rich and diverse representation of the social life and cultural heritage of India during the medieval period. These sculptures provide us with an insight into the religious beliefs, political and social structure, daily life, and cultural values of the people who lived during that era¹²³.
Some of the ways to explain how these sculptures represent the social life of those days are:
Devotion
The temples of different regions and dynasties reflect the devotion of the people towards various religious traditions, such as Hinduism, Jainism, Buddhism, and Islam. The sculptures depict the deities, saints, teachers, and stories of these faiths, as well as the rituals and ceremonies associated with them.
The Khajuraho temples in Madhya Pradesh are famous for their sculptures that depict various aspects of Hinduism and Jainism. The temples, built between the 10th and 12th centuries by the Chandela dynasty, show scenes from the epics, myths, and legends of these faiths, as well as the rituals and ceremonies associated with them
Duty Bound
The sculptures also show the various roles and responsibilities of the people in society, such as kings, warriors, priests, merchants, artisans, farmers, women, and children. The sculptures portray the activities and achievements of these groups, as well as their challenges and struggles.
The Konark Sun Temple in Odisha is a masterpiece of Indian temple architecture and sculpture. The temple, built in the 13th century by the Eastern Ganga dynasty, is dedicated to the sun god Surya and shows his chariot drawn by seven horses. The temple also depicts various aspects of royal and social life, such as warfare, hunting, music, dance, and trade.
Respecting Diversity and Tolerance
The sculptures also demonstrate the diversity and tolerance of the people in medieval India, who coexisted peacefully with different religions, cultures, and languages. The sculptures in some temples show a synthesis of different artistic styles and influences, such as Indo-Islamic or Indo-Tibetan. The sculptures in some caves show a harmony of different religious themes, such as Buddhism, Hinduism, and Jainism.
The Elephanta Caves in Maharashtra are a UNESCO World Heritage Site and are renowned for their rock-cut sculptures. The caves, dating back to the 6th century AD, are dedicated to Lord Shiva and show various forms and aspects of the god. The caves also reflect the influence of different cultures and styles, such as Gupta, Pallava, Chalukya, and Rashtrakuta.
Sexual
The sculptures also reveal the sexual aspects of life in medieval India, which were considered natural and sacred. The sculptures depict various erotic postures and expressions, which symbolize the union of male and female principles, as well as the bliss and liberation that result from it. The sculptures also celebrate the beauty and sensuality of the human body.
The khajuraho temple illustrates such aspects of life in details.
Assimilation of different cultures
The sculptures also reflect the assimilation of different cultures and influences that enriched the artistic heritage of India. The sculptures show elements from various regions and countries, such as Central Asia, Persia, Greece, Rome, China, and Southeast Asia. The sculptures also show innovations and adaptations that resulted from these interactions.
The importance of motherhood
The sculptures also emphasize the importance of motherhood in medieval India, which was regarded as a divine and noble role. The sculptures depict various goddesses who are associated with motherhood, such as Parvati, Lakshmi, Durga, Saraswati, etc. The sculptures also depict stories of women who exemplified motherhood, such as Hemavati.
The feminine nature of Humans
The sculptures also highlight the feminine nature of humans, which was considered essential for balance and harmony. The sculptures depict various forms of Ardhanarishvara (half-male half-female deity), which represent the integration of masculine and feminine qualities within oneself. The sculptures also depict various aspects of feminine values, such as caring, loving, compassion.
Good vs Evil
The sculptures also illustrate the concept of good vs evil in medieval India, which was a constant struggle between order and chaos. The sculptures depict various scenes of battles between gods and demons or heroes and villains. The sculptures also depict various symbols of victory over evil.
The Kailasanathar Temple in Kanchipuram is a splendid example of medieval Indian temple sculpture that illustrates the concept of good vs evil. The temple, built in the 8th century by the Pallava dynasty, is dedicated to Shiva and features a pyramidal tower (shikhara) with numerous sculptures. The temple also depicts various scenes of battles between gods and demons or heroes and villains.
The Importance of River (water), Plants and Animals
The sculptures also acknowledge the importance of river (water), plants and animals in medieval India which were considered sacred and vital for life. The sculptures depict various river goddesses such as Ganga or Yamuna who are revered for their purity and bounty. The sculptures also depict various plants and animals that have religious or cultural significance such as lotus or lion.
These are some of the ways to explain how medieval Indian temple sculptures represent the social life of those days.