Arts of the Mauryan Period: Rock cut architecture

The Rock Cut Architecture is a significant form of art and sculpture in the Mauryan period. The Stupa worship at Bharhut is the oldest made stupa.

History and Significance of the Rock-cut Architecture:

Rock-cut architecture is a form of Rock Art wherein a structure is carved from a solid natural rock

The Mauryan period, particularly Ashoka (273-232 BC) and his grandson Dasharath, are credited with the oldest rock-cut caves in India

Caves were commonly utilised as viharas, or residential quarters, by Jain and Buddhist monks during this time period

Caves were first utilised as monasteries by the Ajivika sect, and afterwards by Buddhists

The Barabar and Nagarjuni caves in Bihar were created during the reign of Dasharath, Ashoka’s grandson

The Mauryan Era’s Architecture

In the sixth century B.C., new religious and social movements in the Gangetic valley emerged in the shape of Buddhism and Jainism (Sramana/Shraman Tradition)

Magadha became a strong state, consolidating its hold on the other religions

By the third century, Maurya had seized control of a considerable portion of India

Ashoka rose to prominence as the Maurya dynasty’s most powerful ruler

During this time, religious rituals took on a variety of forms

Worship of Yakshas and Mother Goddess was popular at the period

Yaksha worship was widespread both before and after the arrival of Buddhism, and it was incorporated into Buddhism and Jainism

Stupas and viharas (monks’ living places) were built as part of the Buddhist tradition

Aside from stupas and viharas, stone pillars, rock cut caves, and colossal figure sculptures were carved in a number of locations throughout this time period

Pillars of The Mauryan Period

Despite the fact that pillar construction is very old, Mauryan pillars vary from other regions of the world’s pillars (such as Achaemenian pillars) in that they are rock cut pillars, exhibiting the carver’s talents

Throughout the Mauryan Empire, stone pillars were built

A capital is the topmost part of a pillar or column

The pillar’s top was carved with images such as a bull, lion, elephant, and so on

All of the capital figures (typically animals) are carved to stand atop a square or circular abacus

Abacuses are typically adorned with stylised lotuses

The Lion Capital, a Mauryan pillar capital unearthed at Sarnath, is the best specimen of Mauryan sculpting tradition

Lomus Rishi’s Cave:

Several rock-cut caverns may be found in the Barabar hills near Gaya, Bihar

A semi-circular chaitya arch, which acts as the cave’s entrance, adorns the cave’s front

The elephant frieze is sculpted in high relief on the chaitya arch and has many movements

The inner hall of the cave is rectangular, with a circular room towards the back

One of the hall’s sidewalls serves as the entrance

Ashoka gave this cave to the Ajivika sect as a gift

Stupas and Viharas:

Buddhist and Jain monastic complexes have stupas, viharas, and chaityas, but the Buddhist religion has the most—for example, the Bairut Stupa in Rajasthan and the Great Stupa in Sanchi.

A cylinder drum and a circular Anda with a harmonic and chhatra on top make up a stupa

In Bihar, Rajagraha, Vaishali, Vethadipa, and Pava, Nepal’s Kapilavastu, Allakappa, and Ramagrama, Uttar Pradesh’s Kushinagar and Pippalvina stupas were built over the Buddha’s relics

There had been numerous stupas built previously, but in the 2nd century BC, additional enhancements such as enclosing the Circumambulatory path with railings and adding gateways were made

There are only a few cases of royal patronage. Lay worshippers to Gahapatis and rulers are among the patrons. Guild donations are also stated on various websites

Artists: At the Pitalkhora and Kondane caves, a few inscriptions describe artisans such as Kanha and Balaka

Buddhism and Stupa

The early phase of Buddhism:

Buddha’s footprints, stupas, lotus throne, chakra, and other symbols represent him. This can mean basic worship, paying reverence, or depicting the historicization of real events.

The later phase of Buddhism:

In the later stages of Buddhism, the tale became a part of the Buddhist tradition

Synoptic, continuous, and episodic narratives are all used in the visual tradition

The railings and torans of the stupas carried Jataka tales, which depicted incidents from the Buddha’s life

The primary moments in the Buddha’s life that were shown repeatedly were: birth, renunciation, enlightenment, Dharmachakrapravartana, and Mahaparinibbana (liberation from the cycle of birth.

Some of the Jataka stories include Chhadanta Jataka, Vidur Pandita Jataka, Ruru Jataka, Sibi Jataka, Vessantara Jataka, and Shama Jataka

Conclusion

The excavation of solid rock where it exists naturally to create structures, buildings, and sculptures is known as rock-cut architecture. Temples, tombs, and cave homes were the three principal applications of rock-cut architecture. The oldest rock-cut construction is the Barabar caves in Bihar, which were erected about the third century BC. The first rock-cut caves were built by Ashoka and his grandson Dasaratha. Thus, rock cut architecture throughout India provides information on the lives and times of ancient Indian people and aids us in understanding their culture through their perspective. It enables us to follow the history of India and its evolution through a sociopolitical lens, as well as how it affected the Indian way of life.