Chausa hoard

The Chausa hoard, thus named after the place of discovery: Chausa or Chausagarh, famous for Chausa mangoes, is located in the Buxar district of Bihar. This was the first known bronze hoard discovered in the Gangetic valley and consists of a set of 18 Jain bronzes. The oldest of such bronzes to be found in India, experts date them between the Shunga and the Gupta period, (from 2nd BCE to the 6th Century CE).

The hoard includes a Dharmachakra showing Dharmachakra supported by two yakshis supported by makaras; a kalpavriksha and sixteen tirthankaras. Among the tirthankaras, those of Lord Rishabha are easily identified by the locks of hair. The bronzes currently reside in the Patna museum.

Other well-known hoards of Jain bronzes include Akota Bronzes, found in Gujarat; Hansi bronzes, found in Haryana; and Aluara bronzes, found in Bihar.

See also

• Jainism
• Tirthankara
• Indian art

References

• Huntington, Susan; The art of Ancient India: Buddhist, Hindu, Jain
• Directorate of the Museum
• Buddhapada