BUDDHIST ARCHITECTURE

by aspe

Maurya Dynasty• 6th century BC is of great significance – as an era of

spirit of opposition to the dominating priests & Brahmins.• Teachings of Mahavira (587 BC) & Buddha (623 BC –

569 BC) formed the basis of 2 distinct religions –Buddhist and Jainism.

• Buddhism blossom because of Askoka, Kanishka, Harshvardhana.

• Ashoka constructed 84,000 stupas.• Stambas were constructed close to many stupas with

religious teachings inscribed on them.

Development of Buddhist Architecture Under Maurya

• Created Rock cut caves.– Chaitya hall for prayer– Viharas to liveArchitecture & Art developed & manifested on 7 formsEdicts inscribed on rocksStupasMonolithic (Stambhas)Monolithic accessories to shrinesCastles & PalacesRock cut ChambersBuddhist monasteries

PILLARS• Great artistic value• Boldly designed, finely proportioned, conceptually well

balanced.• Solely monumental.• Capital & superstructure asthetically given more

importance.• Column = shaft + capital + superstructure• Capital + superstructure = 7’ height• Shaft = 40’ – 50’ high• 2 pieces joint together by copper bolt.• Capital – Inverted lotus or bell shaped

Base pedestalAnimals with or without Dharma-chakra

ROCK CUT CAVES• Two types-

– Chaitya hal– Viharas

– Eg– Lomesh rushi cave– Sudama cave of Barabar hills

STUPA• Ashoka built almost 84000 stupas to propagate

Buddhism.• Initially they were mounds erected on the tomb of

Buddha and Buddhist saints• Later these mounds were claded with bricks & stones to

protect the stupas from natural decay.• They were elongated , terrace & torna (entrance gate)

were attached.• Eg Stupa at Sachi.• Originally half the size of what appears today.• 70’- diameter, 35’ height, hemispherical in form.• Resting on raised platform, timber vedica, stone canopy

at apex.

CONCLUSION

1) Two school of thought– Hinayana– Mahayana2) Spread of Buddhist led to construction of several stupas &

monolithic pillars through the country.3) Use of permanent material for religious structures – stone4) Secular structures made up of perishable materials.5) Timber construction details used during Vedic period were

adopted in the rock cut Buddhist era.

ARCHITECTURE UNDER SHUNGAS - SAATVAHANAS

• During Shungas – Saatvahanas period, art & architecture recorded a commendable development.

• The kings encourage Buddhism.• Stone was used as building material.• Maurya period – religious symbols, palaces, temples.• Shunga period – Stupas & Viharas.• Rock cut architecture initiated during Mauriyas &

developed during the Shungas.– Eg Karli caves, Bhaja, AjantaMahayana belief startedArchitecture divided into- Rock cut caves

StupasSculptures

ROCK CUT CAVES

• Rock cut caves were constructured in Eastern as well as Western India.

• East India – near Bhuvaneshwar – Khandagiri & udaygirihills.

• Western India – Saihyadri hills – Ajanta, Karli.– 2nd century BC – 7th century AD caves

• 2nd century BC – 2nd century AD• 3rd century AD – 7th century AD

AJANTA• Art & Architecture at Ajanta development during this period

i.e. 2nd century BC - &th century AD• Ajanta – Hinayana style – 200BC – 200 AD

- Mahayana style – 300 BC – 700 AD

• In all 29 caves – 4 Chaitya hall, 25 – Viharas• Cave no 10 – oldest chaitya hall

- 200 BC - 96’6” long- 41’3” wide - 36’0” highDead end – semacircular Stupa – decorated

Cave no 12 : oldest vihara , inner hall square – 38’ sideflanked by colonnades on both sides.

4 chambers on each of the 3 sides of the hall.

KARLI CAVES• One of the huge chaitya .• Chaityagrih extremely beautiful.• Main features

– Two upright pillars with lion capital at entrance.– Double storied façade resting on columns.– Chaitya window – entrance façade.– Pradakshinapath – around the stupa.– Stupa right at the centre , with hermica at its crown.– In all 37 columns – 15 column on two sides, 7 around

garbhagrih.– Circular barrel vaulted roof – Wooden ribs on underside of roof.

Pillars with carved capitals.

Octagonal shaft.

Pitcher shaped pedestal.

Capital – elaborately carved , resting on inverted pots.

Hall – 124’ long

45’6” wide

45’ high

Semicircular end , with 7 columns around.

STUPAS

• Famous Ashokan built Stupas at Sachi, Bharhut, Buddthgaya were renovated & extended during the Shungas.

• Several new elements were added to these monuments.• Initially a Stupa & a monolithic pillar were constructed by

Mauryan emperor Ashoka.• Extention, renovation & new construction was

undertaken by Shunga king in mid 200 BC.• Stupa was extended & cladded with stone, vedica

constructed , stairway added, elaborately decorated torna.

The Stupa has following elements

3 tiered canopy at the summit of the hemispherical dome.

Hermica surruonded by the vedica.

elevated ambulatory path around the Stupa.

Stairway towards the south.

4 ornate tornas.

Diameter of stupa – 120’.

Height of Stupa – 54’.

VEDICA

Constructed early half of the 200 BC.

Consist of stambha i.e. vertical post known as THABA.

Horizontal post member known as SUCHI, all joint by tennon & mortise joint in stone.

coping in stone.

Vedica divided into 4 segments by 4 tornas facing the cardinal points.

Relief work on torna – scenes related to life of Buddha, various forms of Buddha & variou other scenes & ornamentation.

Principles of wooden architecture have been adopted in totality.,

CONCLUSION

• Use of more permanent material.• Details of timber construction seen in

stone• Rock cut architecture flourished in western

region• Subject matter of art & architecture from

public life.