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  Early Buddhist art in India is a form of religious art that developed during the period of Indian history known as the Mauryan Empire (322-185 BCE). This period saw the emergence of Buddhism as a major religion in India, and its influence on the development of art and architecture. Early Buddhist art was characterized by its use of symbols and motifs to represent the teachings of the Buddha, such as the wheel of dharma, the lotus flower, and the stupa. The earliest surviving examples of Buddhist art are found in the Ajanta Caves in Maharashtra, which date back to around 200 BCE. These caves contain some of the most beautiful and intricate paintings depicting scenes from Buddhist mythology and stories from the life of the Buddha. The paintings are done in a style known as “mahayana”, which is characterized by its use of bright colors and intricate details. The most famous example of early Buddhist art is found at Sanchi Stupa in Madhya Pradesh. This stupa was built by Emperor Ashoka i

  Gandhara Buddhist art is a style of Buddhist visual art that developed in the region of Gandhara, which is now located in modern-day Pakistan and Afghanistan. This style of art flourished from the 1st century BCE to the 7th century CE and was heavily influenced by Greco-Roman culture. The art form is characterized by its use of realistic human figures, often with Greek facial features, and its incorporation of elements from both Buddhism and Hellenistic culture. Gandhara Buddhist art was created primarily for religious purposes, such as decorating temples and monasteries. It was also used to illustrate stories from Buddhist texts, such as the Jataka tales. Common motifs included scenes from the life of the Buddha, depictions of bodhisattvas, and images of Hindu gods and goddesses. The most common medium used for Gandhara Buddhist art was stucco reliefs, which were created by carving into wet plaster on walls or pillars. Other materials used included stone sculpture, terracotta figuri