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Evolution of Mauryan Art: Rock-cut Architecture, Chaitya and Viharas

December 23, 2023 1616 0

Introduction: Mauryan Mastery in Rock-Cut Caves and Traditional Structures

Apart from the traditionally built stupas and viharas, the art of carving rock-cut caves is Mauryan Art flourished during their period. 

Exploring the Magnificence of Mauryan art and Rock-Cut Architecture

  • Structural Meaning: Rock-cut architecture is the creation of structures, buildings, and sculptures by excavating solid rock where it naturally occurs in Mauryan Art.
  • Worshipping: Noteworthy examples from the third century BCE have been found across India, underscoring the widespread popularity of Yaksha worship. 
  • Lomus Rishi Cave: One of the most distinguished rock-cut caves is the Lomus Rishi cave, located near the Barabar hills close to Gaya in Bihar during Mauryan Art.
  • Rock-cut elephant at Dhauli, Odisha, exemplifies Ashoka’s influence and artistic finesse. 
  • They all symbolize Mauryan Art

Rock-cut Marvels

Buddhist Monuments: Proliferation and Significance in the Mauryan Art Era

  • Proliferation of Construction: Stupa, vihara and chaitya are part of Buddhist and Jaina monastic complexes but the largest number belong to the Buddhist religion.
  • Buddhist Dominance: Their construction proliferated due to Buddhism’s and Jainism’s popularity during Mauryan Art.
  • Notable Stupas Housing Relics: Notable stupas housed Buddha’s relics, such as Rajagraha, Vaishali, and Kushinagar.
    • The great stupa at Sanchi symbolizes this tradition, initially built during Ashoka’s reign and later expanded.
Did You Know?

In Buddhism, chaityas are places of worship and assembly for monks, while viharas are monasteries where monks lived. 

Patronage and Craftsmanship in Mauryan art and Monuments: Insights into Diverse Contributions

  • Diverse Donors: It is a second-century BCE inscription that reveals a diverse range of donors, from lay people to kings.
  • Artisan Mentions: Few inscriptions mention artisans, like Kanha at Pitalkhora and Balaka at Kondane caves in Maharashtra.
  • Craftsmen Categories: Craftsmen categories, including stone carvers and goldsmiths, are also cited.
  • Collective Efforts in Monuments: Monuments often reflected collective efforts, with specific sections attributed to individual patrons.
  • Traders, while donating, made a point to record their places of origin.

Evolution of Mauryan Art:  Stupas, A Flourishing Evolution in Design and Structure

  • Enhancements in Design: By the subsequent century, stupas saw enhancements.
  • Circumambulatory Paths with Railings: They started building enclosed circumambulatory paths with railings and decorative sculptures.
  • Significant Expansions and Additions: Though many stupas existed, the second century BCE marked significant expansions and additions.
  • Structural Components: Stupas typically had a cylindrical drum, a circular Anda, and a harmika with a chhatra on top. Minor variations arose in shape and size over time.
  • Gateways became a new addition to stupas in Mauryan Art, allowing architects and sculptors more creative freedom.

Early Symbolic Depictions of Buddha

  • In Buddhism’s initial phase, Buddha’s representation was symbolic. 
  • The symbols included footprints, stupas, lotus thrones, and chakras. 
    • These symbols either signified worship, reverence, or historical events from Buddha’s life.

Narratives in Buddhist Art

  • As Buddhism evolved, storytelling became integral. 
  • The events from Buddha’s life and Jataka tales found their way onto stupa railings and torans. 
    • The narrative styles incorporated include synoptic, continuous, and episodic narratives.

Prominent themes in Buddhist art

  • The key events from Buddha’s life were birth, renunciation, enlightenment, dhammachakrapravartana , and mahaparinibbana.
    • Popular Jataka stories depicted include Chhadanta Jataka, Vidurpundita Jataka, Ruru Jataka, Sibi Jataka, Vessantara Jataka, and Shama Jataka.

Conclusion

  • The discussion centered on the rich heritage of ancient Indian history, with a specific focus on the Mauryan period’s architectural and sculptural achievements. 
  • The evolution of Buddhist art and architecture was evident, transitioning from symbolic to narrative depictions in stupa design. 

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UDAAN PRELIMS WALLAH
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Quick Revise Now !
UDAAN PRELIMS WALLAH
Comprehensive coverage with a concise format
Integration of PYQ within the booklet
Designed as per recent trends of Prelims questions
हिंदी में भी उपलब्ध

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