'Beautiful woman' unearthed near Kota

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'Beautiful woman' unearthed near Kota

By: PTI

June 4, 2004

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Jaipur: A unique stone sculpture dating back to the third century

has been unearthed from the banks of Chambal river in Rajasthan's

Kota district throwing new light on the cultural history of the

state, a research scholar today said.

 

The stone sculpture depicting "Shalbhanjika", an icon of 'Yakshini'

or a beautiful woman, has been found for the first time in the

state, Ambika Dhaka, a research scholar of Indian Council of

Historic Research said.

 

The idol was discovered on the right bank of river Chambal in

vicinity of Keshoraipatan and opposite to historic Rangpur, about 10

kilometers from Kota.

 

The stone block is carved with a beautiful young women standing

under a 'shaal' tree bending a branch with her left hand while

plucking some fruit or flower from it with her right hand. The

figure wears a four stringed waist ornament, she said.

 

Two peacocks, a monkey and probably a squirrel are also carved on

shaal tree.

 

"Shalbhanjika", along with a small boy, is standing on a human

figure whose hind portion is foliated, Dhaka said after studying the

sculpture and dating it to third century period.

 

Dhaka said the stone sculpture was 'unique' due to the cultural

significance of the theme.

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