Post-Mauryan Architecture

Cave architecture:

Commonly referred to as ‘Kirti,’ it reached its pinnacle during the post-Mauryan age (200 BC-300 AD). The period saw the development of Chaityas (place of worship) for the first time and Viharas (place of residence for monks and also acted as educational centers).

Cave architecture in Eastern India:

Udaygiri-Khandagiri caves:

• There are 18 caves in Udaygiri hill and 15 caves in Khandagiri located in Odisha, carved under the patronage of Kalinga ruler Kharavela (193 BC-170 BC).
• Hatigumpha inscription refers to these hills as Kumari parvat and Kumara parvat, respectively.
• The interiors of the caves are simple without much ornamentation, and their facades are decorated with sculptures depicting scenes of court activities, royal processions, hunting scenes, and daily life.
• Prominent caves in Udaygiri hills:
  • Ranigumpha, Ganeshgumpha, Swargapuri-Manchapuri, and Hatigumpha.
• Prominent caves in Khandagiri hill:
  • Ananta Gumpha, Ambika Gumpha, Tatowa Gumpha (Parrot caves), and Navamuni gumpha.

Cave architecture in Western India:

Prominent centers include Ajanta, Karle, Bedsa, Bhaja, Nasik, Junnar, and Kondana.

1. Karle caves: 
   • Located in Pune district, Maharashtra.
   • Cut out in Bhorghat hill and built under the patronage of Bhootpal Shresti of Vaijanti in the 2nd century AD during the reign of Satavahana king Pulameyi II.
   • Largest Hinayana Buddhist chaitya (temple) in India.
   • Features massive pillars with figures of males and females mounted on animals such as lions and elephants.

2. Junnar caves:
   • Largest cave complex in India, with around 130 caves; also known as Pandulena.
3. Bedsa and Kondana caves:
   • Exhibit transition from wooden architecture to stone architecture.
4. Pitalkhora caves:
   • Located in Maharashtra; believed to belong to the Hinayana period of Buddhism contemporary to the Satavahana dynasty.

Stupa architecture:

• Stupas became larger and more decorative; stone was primarily used instead of wood and brick.
• Shunga dynasty introduced the idea of torans as beautifully decorated gateways to stupas, carved with patterns showing Hellenistic influence.
• Example: Bharhut stupa in Madhya Pradesh.

Bharhut Stupa (Madhya Pradesh):

• Tall structures like Mauryan depictions of Yaksha and Yakshini.
• Relief panels convey an illusion of three-dimensionality with a slanted perspective.
• One sculpture depicts Lakshmi, which is the earliest representation of the goddess.

Gupta Architecture

The period of the Gupta Empire was regarded as the Golden Age of Indian art and architecture.

• Gupta architecture was diverse in style, features, and design.
• Initiated the era of building Hindu temples in rock-cut architectural styles.
• Temples adorned with elaborate carvings and towers were dedicated to Hindu Gods.

Cave architecture:

1. Bagha caves: Located in Dhar district of Madhya Pradesh; belong to Buddhism.
2. Mandargiri caves: Located in Bhagalpur district, Bihar; belong to Jainism.
3. Udayagiri caves: Located in Madhya Pradesh; belong to Vaishnavism and Shaivism.
   • Magnificent image of Vishnu in the form of the great boar (Varaha) is at the entrance of these caves.
4. Nasik caves: Group of 23 Buddhist caves, also known as Pandav Leni, developed during the 1st century AD; belong to the Hinayana period.
   • Buddha is indicated through motifs and symbols like a throne and footprints.
5. Mandapeshwar caves: Also known as Montperir caves; belong to the Brahmanical religion and were later converted into a Christian cave.

Stupa architecture:

• Development of stupas declined during the Gupta period.
• Example: Dhamek Stupa in Sarnath, Varanasi.
  • Buddha is claimed to have given his first sermon to his first five students, led by Kaundinya, revealing his Eightfold Path leading to nirvana at the Dhamek Stupa.

Temple architecture:

• Temple architecture emerged with the development of a square sanctum and a pillared portico.
• Gupta temples were divided into five categories:

1. First stage:

• Flat roofs and square in shape.
• Portico developed on shallow pillars.
• Entire structure built on low platforms.
• Example: Kankali Devi temple in Tigawa and Vishnu Varaha temples in Eran.

2. Second Stage:

• Platforms were higher with an ambulatory passageway around garbhagriha.
• Example: Parvati temple at Nachna Kuthara in Madhya Pradesh.

3. Third stage:

• Emergence of Shikara instead of a flat roof.
• Panchayatan style introduced: Four subsidiary shrines with the principal deity’s temple, giving the ground plan a crucified shape.
• Example: Dashavatar temple at Deogarh (U.P) and Durga temple at Aihole, Karnataka.

4. Fourth stage:

• Main shrine became more rectangular.
• Examples: Ter temple at Sholapur and Kapoteswara temple in Cezarla (Krishna district).

5. Fifth stage:

• Circular temples with shallow rectangular projections on four cardinal faces.
• Example: Maniyar Math shrine in Rajgir, Bihar.

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Subject: Art and Culture

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