THE ESTATE OF THE MAHARAJA OF BURDWAN

Seated on a throne in ‘dhyanasana’ with his hands in ‘dharmachakra’ mudra, his face with serene benevolent expression, round shaped mouth with outlined lips, heavily lidded almond shaped and partially open eyes, and wearing a dhoti and a fine dupatta, with hair arranged in spiked coils surmounted by a bud shaped lotus, with a four layered circular nimbus with scrolling flower pattern and flanked by two apsaras holding fly whiskers, and the back of the throne in the shape of circular surya nimbus is adorned with two lions on either side and two deers below them, the rectangular throne is flanked by worshippers and animals towards an auspicious ‘kalash’.

The principality of Burdwan in Bengal was vast and stretched into Bihar in the East and also Darjeeling where many of the previous Maharajas of Burdwan's Buddhist subjects or 'Prajaas' came from. To show respect for Buddhism and its culture the Maharajas of Burdwan would patronize many well-known Buddhist societies and establishments. Infact the late Maharaja Sir Udaychand Mahtab was a patron of the Maha Bodhi society for a number of years.

This rare stone statue has been in the family of the rulers for centuries and was perhaps given to them by the Buddhist monks as a gesture of appreciation for the Royal patronage and support.

Registered Antiquity. Non-Exportable