ART AND CULTURE OF THE MAURYAN PERIOD

Mauryan Culture and Religious Traditions

• The Chandragupta Maurya overthrowing Ghananand of Nanda Dynasty in 322 BC (4th Century BC) established a new empire “The Mauryan Empire” one of the largest empire in the world and largest of ancient India.

• Ashoka emerged as the most powerful king of the Mauryan dynasty and Mauryan Empire now controlled large part of India (except parts of Karnatka, Kerala and Tamilnadu). Ashoka had patronised the Shraman Tradition in  3rd century BC.

• Buddhism and Jainism were part of the Shraman tradition. Shraman means "seeker” one who performs acts of austerity, ascetic". The Shraman tradition also includes others such as the Ajivikas, Ajnanas and Charvakas.

• In Mauryan period multiple forms of worship was prevalent. Yakshas and Mother Goddesses were worshipped.

• Yaksha worship was very popular before and after the advent of Buddhism and it was assimilated in Buddhism and Jainism.

• Large statues of Yakshas and Yakhinis mostly in the standing position are found at Patna, Vidisha and Mathura. One of the distinguishing elements in all these images is their polished surface.

[ CLICK HERE TO READ ABOUT INDUS VALLEY CIVILIZATION ]

Stupas and Viharas Sculptures of the Mauryan Period

Construction of Stupas and Viharas became a part of the Buddhist tradition. Stupa, Vihara and Chaitya is part of   Buddhist and Jaina monastic complexes but the largest number belongs to the Buddhist religion.

Stupas- Stupas are the structures which were constructed over the relics of the Buddha.

Chaitya- It is an Assembly Hall or Prayer Hall of the Buddhist. 

Vihara - It was the resting/dwelling place for the Buddhist Monks i.e. a Buddhist Monastery.

• Stupa structures were found at Rajagraha, Vaishali, Kapilavastu, Allakappa, Ramagrama, Vethadipa, Pava, Kushinagar and Pippalvina. Outside the Gangetic Valley, stupas are also found at Avanti and Gandhara.

• The great Sanchi Stupa was built with bricks during the time of Ashoka and later it was covered with stone and many new additions were made. In the subsequent century, stupas were elaborately built with certain additions like the enclosing of the circumambulatory path with railings and sculptural decoration. There were numerous stupas constructed earlier but expansions or new additions were made in the second century BCE.

• One of the best examples of the structure of a stupa in the third century BC is at Bijak-ki-Pahadi, Bairat in Rajasthan. It is a very grand stupa having a circular mound with a circumambulatory path.  It was built by Ashoka.

• The stupa consists of a cylindrical drum and a circular anda with a harmika and chhatra on the top which remain consistent throughout with minor variations and changes in shape and size. Apart from the circumambulatory path, gateways were added. Thus, with the elaborations in stupa architecture, there was ample space for the architects and sculptors to plan elaborations and to carve out images.

Pillars and Rock-cut Architecture during the Mauryan Period 

• In Mauryan period, stone pillars, rock-cut caves and monumental figure sculptures were also carved at several places.

• Stone pillars were erected all over the Mauryan Empire with inscriptions engraved on them. The top portion of the pillar was carved with capital figures like the bull, the lion, the elephant, etc.

•  All the capital figures are vigorous and carved standing on a square or circular abacus. Abacuses are decorated with stylised lotuses.

•  Pillars with capital figures were found at Basarah-Bakhira, Lauriya-Nandangarh, Rampurva, Sankisa and Sarnath.

• The Mauryan pillar capital found at Sarnath popularly known as the Lion Capital is the finest example of Mauryan sculptural tradition. It is also our national emblem.

•  This pillar capital built by the Mauryan Emperor Ashoka in commemoration of the historical event the first sermon by the Buddha at Sarnath i.e.  Dhammachakrapravartana which is symbol of great historical event in the life of the Buddha.

• The rock-cut cave carved at Barabar hills near Gaya in Bihar is known as the Lomus Rishi cave. The cave was patronised by Ashoka for the Ajivika sect.

• Depiction of a monumental rock-cut elephant atDhauli in Orissa shows modelling in round with linear rhythm. It also has Ashokan rock-edict.

[ CLICK TO READ ABOUT PREHISTORIC ROCK PAINTINGS IN INDIA, BHIMBETKA CAVE PAINTINGS]

Themes Depicted on the Monuments/Sculpture

• During the early phase of Buddhism, Buddha is depicted symbolically through footprints, stupas, lotus throne, chakra, etc. This indicates either simple worship, or paying respect, or at times depicts historisation of life events.

• In later phase, events from the life of the Buddha, the Jataka stories, were depicted on the railings and torans of the stupas in the pictorial tradition.

• The main events associated with the Buddha’s life which were frequently depicted were events related to the birth, renunciation, enlightenment, Dhammachakrapravartana, and mahaparinibbana (death).

• Among the Jataka stories that are frequently depicted are Chhadanta Jataka, Vidurpundita Jataka, Ruru Jataka, Sibi Jataka, Vessantara Jataka and Shama Jataka.

*******