EARLY LIFE
Prince Siddhartha in School
The Prince was admitted to a school for formal education of the time by his royal father.
Visvamitra was tasked with the job of training the Prince in the art of writing. The Prince was
educated in the subjects then popularly taught and also trained in archery and wrestling.
This beautifully carved panel depicts Siddhartha holding tablets and inkpot while going to
school in a ram-cart alongwith other boys and the maid servants. This panel was found from
Charsadda. Peshawar Museum, Peshawar
MARRIAGE
Competition of Siddhartha for Marriage
The king, Suddhodhana wanted to arrange marriage of the Prince at the age of sixteen years. He
selected the beautiful daughter of Dandapani, who is said to be the chief of army of the kingdom.
Dandapani wanted to give hand of his daughter Yasodhara to a brave soldier. For the purpose a
competition was arranged where the winner would stand entitled to marry with Yasodhara.
Siddhartha was persuaded by his father to take part in the contest. Amongst the contenders were
step brother of Siddhartha named Sundaranand and cousin Devadatta. Siddhartha won the
competition by winning all the contests including wrestling, lifting of the elephant, horse riding,
music, mathematics, chariot race and recitation of verses. On the final day of the grand
competitions, Yasoddhara came to choose her life partner. She put a garland on Prince
Siddhartha as a token of her having selected him for marriage.
This is a frieze of a votive stupa with three competition scenes in the lower register, the first
scene depicts wrestling, the second shows an archery competition, while the third shows the
Prince lifting of an elephant. This beautiful frieze is housed in Peshawar Museum, Peshawar
A broken panel depicting the king Suddhoddhana welcoming his victorious son, who had
defeated all the candidates of the competition. The king is shown with folded hands under
shadow of the umbrella. A decorated elephant is awaiting the Prince to ride on. The portion
containing the picture of Siddhartha is missing Peshawar Museum, Peshawar
Siddhartha and Yasodhara holding hands circumambulate the sacred fire as per Hindu
traditions. They are draped in special dresses made for the marriage ceremony. In the picture,
the parents of the bride are seen standing behind the couple. This panel of wedding scene was
found from Sehri Behlol and presently housed in Peshawar Museum, Peshawar.
Life in the hare. The bride Princess Yasodhara offering a drink to Prince Siddhartha, but he is
depicted being oblivious to the worldly pleasures and clearly in a pensive mood. The charm of
dancing and singing girls also could not draw attention of the Prince. This panel is preserved in
Islamabad Museum, Islamabad.
King Suddhodhana alongwith Prince Siddhartha and other dignitaries watching a plough match
on a hot summer day. The tired oxen were dragging the plough in a tough competition and being
beaten by the ploughmen to run faster. They were sweating and bleeding due to whipping. Birds
were also seen devouring the insects in abundance. These scenes greatly confounded and
depressed the Prince. He left the venue and retreated to a nearby secluded place. Lahore
Museums, Lahore.