Chakhil-i-Ghoundi Stupa - Other Decorative Elements

Other Decorative Elements

Various decorative elements have also been found in relation with the stupa. In particular, a Hellenistic cupids and garland design, a representation of the Buddha and Maitreya within decorated arches, a Buddhist narrative frieze, and a head of Garuda.

The left part of the narrative frieze represents the Buddha in a conventional scene (the visit to the Brahman).

At the time of the manufacture of the stupa, groups of Greek populations from the earlier Indo-Greek kingdom probably still remained, and were even organized under a king (Strato II) in the Punjab region, which would account for the rich Hellenistic influence in the stupa and the representations of people in Greek dress and attitudes on the lower friezes.

• Cupids and garlands.

• The Buddha and Maitreya.

• Narrative frieze.

• Garuda.