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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 Asho...

  The Indian Buddhist iconography is mainly based on the Sadhanamala and other cognate Tantric texts of rituals. It is a system of visual representation of the various aspects of Buddhism, such as Buddhas, Bodhisattvas, deities, and other spiritual figures. The iconography is used to represent the teachings of Buddhism in a visual form. The Sadhanamala is an important source for understanding the Indian Buddhist iconography. It is a collection of Tantric rituals and practices that were compiled in the 11th century CE by Vajrabodhi and his disciple Amoghavajra. The text contains descriptions of various Buddhist deities and their associated symbols, as well as instructions for performing various rituals. The Sadhanamala describes the iconography of many popular Buddhist deities such as Avalokiteshvara, Manjushri, Tara, Vajrapani, and others. Each deity has its own unique attributes and symbols that are used to represent them in artworks. For example, Avalokiteshvara is often depicted...