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The collection of Central Asian Antiquities
with more than eleven thousand objects from Sinkiang region of Chinese
Turkestan, discovered by Sir Aurel Stein during his three expenditions
in 1900-1901, 1906-1908 and 1913-1916, is one of the most prestigious
and rare collections of its type in the National Museum. These objects
were discovered mainly from the Oasis along the ancient trade route
popularly known as southern and northern silk roads, opened during
the times of Chinese Emperor, Han Wu-ti, around 2nd cent. B.C. The
fequent movement of people of different region, faith and culture
resulted in the emergence of a composite cultural tradition which
is marked by the presence of Hellenistic, Sassanian, Uigurian, Chinese,
Tibetan and Indian elements in Central Asian Art, the theme of which
is predominently Buddhist. Presently, the selected items on display
in two galleries on the first floor include murals, paintings on
silk, ramie, paper and wood, terracottas, stuccos, wooden objects,
Kharosthi documents, textiles etc. These objects range roughly from
the 3rd to 12th century A.D. Some other works of art and craft from
Central Asia on display in the galleries include coins, beads of
stone and glass, seals, leather objects, wood carvings, potteries
etc. A fragment of wood carving from Khotan dated to 6th-7th century
A.D. showing a seated Buddha in Dharmachakra Mudra and flanked by
Avalokiteshvara on the right is another magnificent example.
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