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

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.

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.