BPSC-GS1 Flashcards
<p>Mauryan Art: intro?</p>
<p>Although the tradition of art and culture in Indian subcontinent was started during the Indus Valley Civilisation, but lost the continuity in later period of time. Art and craft tradition got continuity only during the Mauryan Period.</p>
<ol><li>Court art</li><li>Folk art</li></ol>
Mauryan art is the art produced during the period of the Mauryan Empire, which was the first empire to rule over most of the Indian subcontinent, between 322 and 185 BCE.
<p>Mauryan Art: Court Art: palaces?</p>
Patliputra capital, excavated at Kumrahar, Patna
features
It has been described as Perso-Iionic, with a strong Greek stylistic influence, including volute, bead and reel, meander or honeysuckle designs.
This palace had 80 pillars, these pillars were made up of single piece of rock. They were more or less similar to an Ashokan pillar, smooth, polished and made of grey Chunar sandstone
The floor and ceiling of the palace was made up of wood.
The length and breadth of the whole palace was 140 ft. and 120 ft. respectively.
The pillars have gold vines and silver Birds
Attractive wooden stage in the Assembly.
The palace stood in an extensive park studded with fish ponds. It was furnished with a great variety of ornamental trees and shrubs.
The Greek ambassador Megasthenes mentions that the capital city of Pataliputra was encircled by a massive timber-palisade, perforated by holes or slits through which archers could shoot. It had sixty-four gates
Greek traveler Megasthenes portray the castle of the Maurya Empire as probably the best creation of humanity and Chinese Traveller Fe Hien called Mauryan royal residences as God-gifted monuments. Yunaian traveller, Arian compared the grandeur of the Palace of Chandragupta Maurya with the palaces of Susha and Ekbatna (world’s most famous cities of the that time)
other examples: The Mauryan capital at Patliputra, Ashoka’s Palace at Kumrahar
<p>Mauryan Art: Court Art:Pillars?</p>
The best specimens of the modern period are the Monolithic pillars of Ashoka which are found in different parts of the country for the propagation of Dhamma.
monolithic stones
These pillars were carved in two types of stone. Some were of the spotted red and white sandstone from the region of Mathura, the others of buff-coloured fine grained hard sandstone usually with small black spots quarried in the Chunar near Varanasi.
Height of columns from 30 to 50 feet.
While most Ashoka pillar edicts were in Pali and Prakrit language, few were written in Greek or Aramaic language also.
usually composed of four parts. Namely Shaft, capital, Abacus, and capital figure.
Shaft: A long shaft formed the base and was made up of a single piece of stone or monolith.
Capital: On top of shaft lay the capital, which was either lotus-shaped or bell-shaped.
Abacus: Above the capital, there was a circular or rectangular base known as the abacus.
Capital Figure: All the capital figures (usually animals like a bull, lion, elephant, etc) are vigorous and carved standing on a square or circular abacus.
Example- Sarnath Lion Capital, Vaishali pillar, lauriya nandangarh, lauriya areraj.
They were given a fine polish characteristic of Mauryan sculpture.
<p>Mauryan Art: Court Art:stupas?</p>
Thestupais a Sanskrit word that means a heap.
It originated as asimple semi-circular mound of earth, which was later calledAnda. Gradually with time and the addition of artwork it evolved and got transformed into a more complex structure. The tradition of erecting stupas may have been pre-Buddhist, but they came to be associated with Buddhism.
Diagram
https://1drv.ms/u/s!AvN_8sA-Zf0djUlaP96lfP1rnBbS?e=Slg2gn
According the scriptures of Buddhism Ashoka had made 84000 stupas across the country. But this claim is controversial as evidences of such a huge number of stupas are not found but it is possible that they were demolished in later periods.
Stupas werebuilt at places that were regarded as sacred. Sacred because these places were related toBuddha’s life. Relics of the Buddha such as hisbodily remains or objects used by himwere buried under these mounds and these mounds are known asa stupa.
In the early stages, Buddha was represented through symbols that represented the different events of Buddha’s life like footprints, lotus thrones, chakras, stupas, etc.
Later on, Jataka stories (stories associated with the previous birth of Buddha) were portrayed on the railings and torans of the stupas.
structure
The simple semi-circular mound of earth is calledAnda, above this anda is theharmika, a structure resembling a balcony it represents the abode of the gods.
Rising above from the harmika is a mast called theYashti, often surmounted by achhatrior umbrella. Around the mound is a railing known as Vedika.
The Circumbulatory path between the railing and the Anda is known asPradakshina.
The Entrance gate is calledTorana.
material used : The core of the stupa was made of unburnt brick while the outer surface was made by using burnt bricks, which were then covered with a thick layer of plaster and medhi and the toran were decorated with wooden sculptures.
Examples
Sanchi Stupa in Madhya Pradesh is the most famous of the Ashokan stupas.
Piprahwa Stupa in Uttar Pradesh is the oldest one.
stupas were built over eight set of relics. They are at Allakappa by Bulis (location unknown), atKapilvastu (modern day Piprahwa in UP) by Shakyas , at Kushinagar by Mallas, at Pava (near modern day Kushinagar), at Rajgriha (Magadhan capital) by Ajatshatru, at vaishali (capital of Vajjinas), at Ramagrama, a city of koliya kingdom (in modern day Nepal), and at Vethapida by Vethapida Brahmanas,
Stupa at Bairat, Rajasthan: Grand stupa with a circular mound and a circumambulatory path.
<p>Mauryan Art: Court Art:caves?</p>
Viharas were basically the residences of Buddhist Monks. These were made by cutting mountains in either rectangular or circular form.
During the Maurya time caves were utilized as “viharas” the living quarters by the Jain and Buddhist priests. The caves during the Mauryan period are marked by a highly polished finish of the inside walls and carved gateways.
Important examples of Viharas in Bihar are Barabar and Nagarjuni Caves in Gaya. These were made by mainly Ashoka and his grandson Dashratha.
Some other examples of Viharas(Buddhist Caves) are Sudama, Karna, Chaupar, Gopi, Vaddhika, Vishwa Jhopdi etc.
https://1drv.ms/u/s!AvN_8sA-Zf0djUrTiJ0mDM3ZiqED?e=mEbelc
<p>Mauryan Art: Folk Art: sculpture?</p>
also seen as part of royal pillars examples Lauria Nandangarh East Champaran, Bihar Lion Lauria Areraj East Champaran, Bihar NO capital figure Rampurva I & II west Champaran, Bihar Ox Sarnath Lion Sankisha, UP elephant
In folk art, The Statue of yaksha and Yakshi are the most important sculptures from this period. these were the object of worship related to all the religions i.e. Jainism Buddhism and Hinduism.
These sculptures were made up of stone.
On these sculptures shiny polish was used to be done, which adds to their beauty and sculptures became more realistic
examples:
A statue of two Jain saints from lohanipur
The sculpture of a woman and a boy from Bulandi Bagh
Yakshini statue found at Didar Ganj (it has the characterestic Mauryan lusture bt its age is debated)
The stone elephant at Dhauli was also probably carved by local craftsmen and not by the court-based artists who were responsible for the animal capitals. The image of the elephant emerging from the rock is a most impressive one, and its purpose was probably to draw attention to the inscription nearby.
Mauryan Art: Folk Art: Terracota objects?
Popular terracotta objects of various sizes have been found at Mauryan sites, and elsewhere, and are probably the most numerous Mauryan works of art.
They are found more commonly from Pataliputra to Taxila.
Many have stylized forms and technically they are more accomplished, in that they have a well-defined shape and clear ornamentation. Some appear to have been made from moulds, yet there is little duplication.
Terracotas from Taxila consists of deity figures, votive reliefs with deities, toys, dice, ornaments and beads.
Mauryan Art: Ringstones?
The ringstone is a distinctive type of artefact and miniature sculpture made in India during the approximate period of the Mauryan Empire and the following Sunga Empire
They are shaped like a doughnut, but with straighter sides, and flat and plain on the bottom.
They are in stone, with the top side very finely carved in relief with several circular zones of decoration running around the hole in the centre.
Typically the innermost zone, which runs down the sloping sides of the hole, has standing female figures, often nude or nearly so, but with jewellery and elaborate hairstyles, with trees in between them.
Their purpose, and any practical function, remains unclear and “enigmatic”. They may have a specific religious purpose, or a more general one promoting fertility
<p>Mauryan Art: folk Art:pottery?</p>
Use of the potters wheel became universal.
These potteries were being made by people for their daily needs as well as for decorative purposes one of the most characteristic features.
Pottery of the Mauryan period is usually referred to as Northern black polished ware (NBPW). The pottery was characterized by Black paint and a highly lustrous finish was Generally used as a luxury item.
Kaushambi and Patliputra were the centers of NBPW pottery.
<p>Mauryan Art: Court Art:comparison with Persian pillars?</p>
comparison with Persian (Achaemenian) pillars
similarities
Polished Stones and Motifs: Both Maurya and Achaemenian pillars, used polished stones and have certain common sculpture motifs such as the lotus.
Proclamations: Maurya’s idea of inscribing proclamations (related to Buddhist teachings and court orders) on pillars has its origin in Persian pillars.
Third Person: Inscriptions of both empires begin in the third person and then move to the first person.
Differences
The Capital Figure: It was absent in Mauryan pillars of the Kumhrar hall whereas pillars at Persepolis have the elaborate capital figures.
The Shape and Ornamentation: The shape of Mauryan lotus is different from the Persian pillar.
Pillar Surface: Most of the Persian pillars have a fluted/ ridged surface while the Mauryan pillars have a smooth surface.
Architectural Scheme: The Achaemenid pillars were generally part of some larger architectural scheme, and bit complex and complicated, while the Ashokan pillars were simple and independent freestanding monuments.
Shaft: Unlike Mauryan shafts which are built of monolith (single piece of stone), Persian/Achaemenian shafts were built of separate segments of stones (aggregated one above the other).
<p>Mauryan Art: Court Art: significance?</p>
The Mauryan Art is a valuable treasure of India it gives us pride and self-confidence. Apart from the national emblem of India. The fact that the Sanchi stupa was the model for the Rashtrapati Bhavan is quite obvious.
It represented an important transition in Indian art from use of wood to stone. Kautilya in the Arthashastra advises the use of brick and stone for their durability. Yet he devotes a large section to safeguards to be taken against conflagrations in wooden buildings indicating their popularity.
The name Bihar is derived from the word viharas i.e. residence of Buddhist monks.
Mauryan arts give evidence of centralized administration of kingdoms and their continuity in Bihar.
helped in propagation of Buddhism
gives an account of Mauryan times and helps to piece together evidence to learn about the life at that time.
<p>Mauryan Art: Court Art: criticism?</p>
<p>Many historians such as John Marshall and Persi Brown considered that the Mauryan Art was influenced with (inspired from) Iranian Art Forms.<br></br>Some of them said that the Mauryan Palace was a carbon copy of the palaces of Armenian Empire of Iran.</p>
<p>Pillars of Mauryan Period was also considered as the inspiration of Iranian pillars with slight variations in their architecture. </p>
<p>Mauryan Art (especially court Art){ was highly religious in nature, which restricted the appearance of cultural ethos and other aspects of the society of that period.<br></br></p>
<p>Pala Art: intro?</p>
<p>developed during the medieval period between 8th-12th century under the aegis of Pal rulers.</p>
<p>Pal rulers were Buddhist followers, which can be seen in the art forms of Palas very easily.</p>
<p>Pal Art included various forms of art and crafts which include a splendid Architectural art forms (Mahavihar, Chaityas, Temples and Stupas), sculptures (bronze and stone made) and Paintings (manuscript and wall Paintings).<br></br></p>
<ol><li>Architectural art forms</li><li>paintings</li><li>sculptures</li></ol>
<p>Pala Art: Architectural art forms?</p>
<ol><li>Mahaviharas</li><li>Chaityas</li><li>Temples</li><li>Stupas</li></ol>
<p>Pala Art: Architectural art forms: mahaviharas?</p>
<ul><li>Mahaviharas were made during Pal rule mainly for residential purposes for Buddhist monks. But Mahavihars also served as important Buddhist educational centers.</li><li>Mahaviharas were generally in rectangular in structure, which included an open courtyard in the middle.</li><li>All around the courtyard, porch/veranda was used to be made, in which gates of rooms were opened.</li><li>Some Mahaviharas in which gates of rooms were opened.</li><li>Some Mahaviharas had double storeyed rooms and stairs for the 2nd storey rooms were made in the courtyard.</li><li>Diagram<br></br>https://1drv.ms/u/s!AvN_8sA-Zf0djUY7WfyCmwtWw2mI?e=8E4Z7Y</li><li>some important Mahaviharas<br></br>Vikramshila Mahavihar: Bhagalpur by Dharmapal<br></br>Odantpuri Mahavihar: Biharsharif by Gopala<br></br>Sompur Mahavihar: Naogaon (BN) by Dharmapal<br></br></li></ul>
Odantpuri Mahavihara (750-770) was so magnificent that it was used as a model for the first Tibetan monastery. Between the 9th and 12th century AD, the Buddhist world-recognized Somapura Vihara and Vikramasila Vihara as two prominent centers of Buddhist study. There are also the ruins of a temple and a stupa at Vikramshila.
These Viharas were the great centers of learning. Many scholars came to these centers from far and wide.
And, these Buddhist Viharas had a significant influence in the spread of Buddhism in Nepal, Tibet, Sri Lanka, and many other countries.
