Going Through "The Lift of Krishna in Indian Art " by P. BANERJEE, Govt of India Publication.
A 500 page book with about 300 Illustrations.
Some highlights :
1. Krishna was born in Mathura - life span about 100 years.. About 1500 years before the Christ.
2. Magadhan confederacy was extending power under Jarasandha - his ally Kamsa of Mathura, Sisupala of Chedi, Duryodhana of Kuru, Rukhmi of Vidharba and Kala Yavana of western India, forcing Krishna and his kinsmen to leave Mathura and settle in Dwaraka in the far-off east.
3. Jarasanda attacked Mathura after the demise of Kamasa 18 times and Krishna & Balarama adopted even Guerilla tactics.
4. Some of the 2nd BC sculptures in Mathura Museum show Vasudeva carrying child Krishna and exchanges of babies are also depicted.
5. In one of the sculptures. Krishna is shown as FOUR-ARMED, Balarama 2 armed and Subadra 2 armed !
Four arms also explains Krishna's Omnipotency as Paravasudevan whereas Balarama being considered with 2 arms - avatar !
Krishna's upper arms hold wheel and mace. lower ones with lotus flower and abhaya hastha.
This is also interpreted as representation of the EKANAMSA TRIAD. In a Kushana panel Krishna & Balarama attending Neminatha. This reflects the JAINA aspect of Krishna Story in which he occupies a role secondary to Neminatha !!
6. In Karachi Museum, there is a Krishna panel in which he is seen fighting with a bull-demon !