Abstract:
The sculptural images of Hariti document the synergistic character of Gandharan
art, religion and society during the Kushan period (first to fifth centuries C. E.). This thesis
establishes a comprehensive historical, religious and cultural context for sculptural
representation in Gandhara and the emergence of a distinctive Gandharan style. It is
designed to consolidate Hariti's extant images and to review and re-evaluate their
iconography and historic identifications. It includes a Catalogue of images of Hariti and
related Gandharan deities and provides translations of Buddhist texts relating the story
of the Mother of Demons. In addition, Hariti's mythology is examined for evidence of the
shifting dynamics of authority, orthodoxy and gender within the traditions of Brahmanism
and early Buddhism.
