GUPTA ART

The reign of the Gupta Dynasty from 320 CE is popularly known as the “Golden Age of Indian Culture”. This period is popularly assigned for the vast quantity and excellent quality of arts and sculptures developed in this age by Gupta rulers. The contributions and achievements of the Gupta period under the rule of great Gupta leaders such as Chandragupta I, Chandragupta II have touched such heights that they cannot be conflated. Historians and archaeologists claim the Gupta period as the Golden Age in terms of arts and sculptures found in that period. Archaeologists also claim architecture developed after the Gupta rule to be decadent and less classical to be tasteful. There are several questions regarding the arts and architecture of the Gupta dynasty that will be answered by the end of this post. 

Gupta Art

The art and architecture of this dynasty are very diverse from other arts and sculptures in terms of design, characteristics, features and style of arts made during this period. The Gupta form of architecture and arts includes temples, paintings and Gupta sculpture. Guptas are known to be the first rulers to have established Hindu cave temples. They were responsible for rock cutt cave temples reaching their peak in India. The first Hindu cave temples were built in Udayagiri, Madhya Pradesh, India by the Guptas and they were all Vaishnava temples. The rock-cut temples showcasing Buddhist religion have also been built by the Gupta dynasty in Ajanta, Maharashtra and Bagh, Madhya Pradesh. This reign is also known for social welfare as it put a hold on animal sacrifice and instead of human sacrifice, terracotta idols of cows and bulls were sacrificed.

Idolatry or worshipping idols started in the Gupta dynasty along with the first Puranas that was written during this period. This reign has witnessed a severe emergence of classical education, a rise of Sanskrit and the emergence of scholarships to educate children of this age. This period has seen a rise of the Bhakti Movement in which two major sects were evolved as Hinduism such as Vaishnavism and Shaivism. The arts and structures of this dynasty were more elaborated and complex that increasing the complexities of the art history of India. Ajanta and Elephanta caves also known as the fifth and sixth rock-cut caves are great examples of complex arts of this period. 

What are the specific features and significance of Gupta Arts?

Arts established in this reign amalgamate Hindu and Buddhist religions and several mudras were developed in this period that depicted Hindu religion. It can be stated in this context that this period contributes largely to developing the rich cultural heritage of the Hindu religion. 

Arts and sculptures of this reign can be characterized by their “Classic decorum” in contrast to the subsequent art of the Medieval Age. This art is popularly known as the classic peak of North Indian art dedicated to all groups and religions of the country. 

Gupta sculpture 

The majority of sculptures of the Gupta dynasty can be found in modern-day Madhya Pradesh and Bihar. A huge stone made a figure of a man-boar can be found in Udayagiri hills in Madhya Pradesh. This figure signifies Lord Vishnu in the form of Varaha as Guptas were Vaishnavites in religion who worshipped Lord Vishnu in the form of a boar. Besides, a magnificent idol of Buddha made of copper can be found in Sultanganj, Bihar. This Copper statue is approximately severe and a half feet in height and weighs around 1 ton. This figure is currently found in Birmingham Museum & Art Gallery. 

The Varaha idol made in Udayagiri, Madhya Pradesh signifies the rescuing of Bhudevi, Goddess Earth from a drastic cosmic flood. This story has been recounted in Hindu literature frequently including the “Puranas.” 

Paintings of Guptas

Paintings of the Guptas period are incredibly famous and are well known for artistic excellence shown through the paintings. Painting as an art has reached its peak during this period and the majority of paintings of this reign can be found in caves developed in this period. Some of the most famous paintings of this period can be seen in Ajanta caves, Bagh caves and Bedsa Caves made during this period. These paintings specifically had religious and spiritual appeal and the artists of these paintings were known as Shilpa-Yogins. Shilpa-Yogins were the monks who had dedicated their lives to greater things. Famous Ajanta paintings of this era lie in the Western Ghats in the Maharashtra region that had contributed largely to the rich cultural heritage of the Hindu religion. One of the most majestic features of Ajanta paintings is that they combine sculpture, paintings and architecture in a variety of expressions. 

Conclusion

The article effectively discusses various dimensions related to the history and contributions of the Gupta dynasty in the growth and development of the cultural and artistic heritage of India. It summarizes various types of paintings and arts adopted by artists of this period along with specific reasons behind them.