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College of Architecture University of Santo Tomas HISTORY OF ARCHITECTURE 3 1st Semester AY 2012-2013

Lecture Notes 2: ARCHITECTURE IN SRI LANKA

A. INFLUENCES: I. Geographical and Topographical Influences: Ceylon Sinhala ancient name Large island in the Indian Ocean and located at the southern tip of India Center of international trade due to its strategic position on the west to east sea routes and its harbors. Main aspects of the society - language, caste, family structure are regional variants of Indian civilization. Enhance architectural effects - tanks were built around rock outcrops Cities, palaces and temples were constructed on hills and high rocks. II. Climatic Factors: Divided into three climatic zones: 1. Dry hot zone in the north and east - Early civilization vast irrigation tanks were built to conserve rain water 2. Central wet region - cool and invigorating 3. Low-lying hot wet zone in the south and southwest - Heavy rainfall and high humidity - Buildings were solid-walled with wide projecting eaves and verandahs and steep pitched roofs (rain and sun) III. Geological (Materials) Influences: 1. Wet Areas/Districts: - Stones (Granite, limestone, laterite and sandstone) - Clay for bricks, roof tiles and pottery widely used in the west districts - Soft and hardwood timber, bamboo, grasses, for thatch and mats, and coconut trees 2. Dry Areas: - Teak, satin and other beautiful hardwoods III. Religious Influences: Known as Dharma-Dipa, the island of the Buddhist doctrine. Introduced by the missionary son of Ashoka, Mahinda Thera in the reign of King Devanampiyatissa 3rd c. BC. Sacred Bodhi Tree - planted in Anuradhapura by Sanghamitta Thera (daughter) considered as one of the oldest trees in the world. Other religions: a. Hinduism Tamils b. Moslem (Arabs) Moors and Malayan settlers c. Christianity introduced by the European colonizers State patronage gave Buddhism a heightened political importance. III. Historical Influences: Recorded history covers about 2,500 years II. Anuradhapura Period (4th c BC 10th c AD) - First capital - Strategically situated with major ports in the northwest and northeast and surrounded by irrigable and fertile land. 2 - King Pandukabhaya (500 -250 BC) formally planned the city (1 km considered one of the largest in the continent) with gates, quarters for traders, etc. - One of the most progressive centers of political power and urban life in South Asia - popular as ritual and administrative center. - Sinhalese King Kassapa I (6th c.) created a city in a rock hill, Sigiraya. CLAvendano, UST HOA3 1 sem AY 2012-2013
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Withstood many invasions and counter invaded South India. Abandoned in 1017 AD. Significant in Hindu legend as the fabled capital of the Asura King Ravana in the Ramayana

III. Polonnaruwa Period ( 11th 13 c AD) - Invaded and occupied by Cholan (South India). - Capital city by King Vijayabahu I, who defeated the Chola invaders in 1070 AD to reunite the country. - Also called as Jananathamangalam during the short Chola reign. - City was built by King Parakrama Bahu The Great (12th c.). - Important kings - King Wijayabahu I, King Maha Parakramabahu I and King Nissankamalla, - Palaces, monasteries, temples, parks, lakes and irrigation works - Series of impermanent settlements (13th -15th c.) Yapahuwa, Dambadeniya, Kotte IV. Kandyan Period (15th 19th c AD) - Divided into several kingdoms with its capital at Kandy (Kandenuwara hill city). - Maritime provinces were occupied by: o Portuguese - 16th c. o Dutch - 17th c. Both introduced Renaissance and Baroque o British - succeeded in annexing the Kandyan kingdom in 1815 until 1947 (Independence) Colonial Georgian and Colonial Classic IV. Social, Economical Influences: Sinhalese claim to be the earliest colonizers of Sri Lanka, first settling in the dry north-central regions as early as 500 BC. Between the 3rd c BC. and 12th c AD. - developed a great civilization centered around the cities of Anuradhapura and Polonnaruwa - hydraulic engineering - construction of water tanks (reservoirs) and irrigation canals. B. ARCHITECTURAL CHARACTER I. Anuradhapura Period (4th c BC 10th c AD) Earliest remains are the natural rock chambers built for the hermits. Remarkable Buddhist City - model of planning with three-lined roads, palaces, parks, monasteries, stupas, hostels and hospitals, separate cemeteries for high and low castes. A water supply was assured by the construction of reservoirs. Covered some 20 square miles, and its population was estimated to be in the tens of thousands. The king lived in a palace with 1,000 rooms in the center of the city. Pillars have significant place Dagaba/Dagoba/Stupa tooth relic chamber - Places to store the ashes of monks who were cremated. Parts of a Buddhist Monastery: 1. Temple 2. Dagaba/Dagoba focal point of the monastery 3. Bhodi-ghara shrine enclosing a sacred Bodhi tree 4. Ceremonial, meditation and preaching halls 5. Court 6. Priory 7. Ponds and bathing places for drinking and ablution. Examples: 1. Thuparama Dagaba (3rd c BC.) - Oldest existing structure - Solid brickwork tumuli, plastered white - Originally a paddy-heap (cone-shaped) but was converted into a bell-shape when restored in 1842. - 4 concentric rows of receding height, monolithic, square to octagonal , stone pillars around. CLAvendano, UST HOA3 1 sem AY 2012-2013
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http://ccbs.ntu.edu.tw/FULLTEXT/JR-AN/an027_4.htm

2. Ruwanveliseya Dagaba (2nd c BC.) - Known as White Dagoba - Also called Maha Thupa or Great Stupa - Constructed in the 2nd c. BC. by Emperor Dutugamunu. - Considered the greatest of the dagobas with a l diameter of 90 m. and originally more than 92 m. high. - Ranks 2nd to the 8 sites in Anuradhapura sacred to the Sri Lankan Buddhists. - Bubble-shape solid brick dome in the center of 2 spacious square terraces, one above the other with the sides facing the cardinal points with pillared portico and step on one side of the lower terrace

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3. Abhayagiri Dagaba - Founded as a monastery, about 88 BC. by Sinhalese King Vattagamini. - Monumental structure 15 m. higher than St. Paul's Cathedral, and containing an amount of solid masonry sufficient to build 8,000 houses large enough to accommodate 40,000 - Limestone statue of Samadhi Buddha depicted in the serene state of Samadhi, or deep meditation and is considered to be one of the best examples in the area. - Kuttam Pokuna (Pair of Ponds/Twin Tanks) o Used as ritual baths by the monks Hierarchy among monks (senior to junior) determined in what order they were to bathe. The youngest were only allowed to dip their toes in while sitting on the side. o Granite steps go to the bottom of the pond . 4. Jetavanarama - Biggest dagoba in the world constructed by heretic King Mahasena. - 3rd tallest building in the ancient world. - Over 120 m. in height and has a diameter of 112 m. The foundations are 9 m. deep and it needed bricks that could bear the load of 368 pounds. - Estimated to have housed about 3000 monks. th 5. Sigiraya ( 6 c. AD.) also known as the Lion Rock - Rising 200 m. from the plain Sigiraya - most remarkable of all of Sri Lanka's former cities - Palace was build surrounded by boulders and water gardens. A unique fortress with 1200 steps. - Series of paintings of beautiful women underneath the ruins of a magnificent palace on the top of an enormous rock. 6. Monastery of Mihintale (2nd c. BC) - Stands on a hill top 300 m. - Mahinda Thera, Emperor Asokas son preached to the court in 3rd c. - Monastery- regarded as cradle of Sinhalese Buddhism Large number of large steps were constructed to climb Mihintale. Stairway has 1840 steps made of granite, leading to the summit. - King Devanampiyatissa constructed a vihara and 68 caves. - At the foot of the mountain are ruins of a hospital, medical bath (or stone canoe in which patients were immersed in medicinal oil).

II.

Polonnaruwa Period ( 11th 13 c AD)

Expansion of the temple to enshrine colossal Buddha images with interior corridors for precession Cetiya-ghara, Watadage, Vatadage (Circular relic-house) - built in stone and brick - Development of a STUPA sheltered by a roof and as is a pillared building around a small STUPA provided with 4 entrances and 4 Buddha images placed at the cardinal points. - Several examples - earliest being the ones at Mihintale and Anuradhapura (3rd c. BC.) - Mark the spots connected with the introduction of Buddhism in Sri Lanka. - More developed forms - Medirigiriya (8th c.) and Polonnaruva (12th c.), both considered as gems of architectural design. - Site of a much venerated Bodhi tree temple situated alongside the main southern highway and is visited by pilgrims from all parts of the island.

EXAMPLES: th 1. Alahana Monastery, Pollonaruwa (12 c.) - Example of Sinhalese planning 2. Lankatilleke Temple - Red brick is 52 m long and 20 m. high, lime plastered with paintings. - With a shrine, an antechamber in an opening in a wall, a vestibule and porch. - Entrance is flanked by two solid polygonal turrets with the dwarapalas (door keepers) in high relief and carved stone step with guard stones. - Contains a brick and stucco Buddha 12 m. high. 3. Gal Vihara Rock Temple (12th c.) - Located north of Alahana monastery in a forest setting. - Supreme achievement of Celylons sculptors. - Four colossal Buddha figures standing, seated and recumbent carved out of rock, originally enclosed to form a shrine. - Recumbent figure which represents the dying Buddha entering Nirvana is 14 m. long. 4. Great Quadrangle Complex, Alahana

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Contains the Golpota, beautiful composed stone slab, upon which the acts of King Nissanka Malla are inscribed with a carved border of sacred geese and curved sunken panel of twin elephants. - Lata Mandapa exquisitely baroque pavilion for hearing the chanting of sacred texts and worship of curved leaf ornament and capitals in the form of opening bud. 5. Sutiyaghara Cetiya, Dadigama (13th c.) - Western central province - Built to commemorate the birthplace of King Parakrama Bahu the Great. -

III. Kandyan Period (15th -19th c AD.)

Kandy, old city hill Architecture of wood Anuradhapura traditional framed structure of pillars and beams is continued but in timber richly carved with traditional motifs. Roofs are high-pitched with wide eaves, slightly curved, finished with small flat (shingle) terracotta tiles and eaves tiles. - Roofs of multi- level, high peaked and visible from afar - striking feature in the landscape Building types: 1. Monasteries with temples 2. Ambalamas rest houses for travellers 3. Parts of a royal palace 4. Ancilliary buildings 5. Audience Hall 6. Queen bathing pavillion 7. Dalada Maligawa (Temple of the Tooth Relic) The Sacred Relic of the Tooth - Venerated in Sri Lanka as a relic of the founder, a symbolic representation of the living Buddha. - Hemamali and her husband secretly transported the relic in her hair from India to Sri Lanka. Decorative artwork is important with the use of ancient motifs in: - Windows with lacquered wood bars - Carved timber doorways - Ornamental metalwork door furniture - Painted walls - Terracotta bas relief wall-plaques - Eaves tiles Latter buildings European influences are evident: - Modified Doric columns - True semi-circular arches - Half round Roman or Spanish roof tiles

EXAMPLES: 1. Embekke Temple (14th c.) - Prototype of more important later buildings in Kandayan timber architectural style. th th 2. Royal Palace, Kandy (16 19 c.) - Remaining parts Queens Palace (museum) and the Audience Hall of Kandyan wood construction. 3. Dalada Maligawa or Temple of the Tooth (16th c., restored in the late 1700s) - Adjacent to the royal palace group - Oldest part which stands in the inner courtyard on high oblong stone plinth (base/platform) carrying stone pillars with carved wood capitals which support the carved wood beams of the upper floor. - Houses the Sacred Tooth Relic of the Buddha.

BIBLIOGRAPHY Books: De la Croix, Horst and Richard Tansey. Gardner;s Art Through the Ages. Ancient, Medieval and th Non-European Art. 7 ed. Harcourt Brace Jovanovich, Inc. USA. 1976. Goepper, Roger. Landmarks of the Worlds Art. The Oriental World. Mc. Graw-Hill Book Company, New Yorkl Toronto. 1967. Harris, Cyril M. Historic Architecture Sourcebook. Mac Graw Hil, Inc. USA.1977. CLAvendano, UST HOA3 1 sem AY 2012-2013
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Palmes, J.C. Sir Banister Fletchers A History of Architecture. 18 ed.The Athlone Press, University of London. London Stevenson, Neil. Architecture Explained. DK Publishing, New York. 1997, 2007. Other Sources: http://ccbs.ntu.edu.tw/FULLTEXT/JR-AN/an027_4.htm Karunaratine, L. K. - Architect A.I.A (SL.) The History of Buddhist Architecture in Sri Lanka . The 1998 International Symposium on Deisgn and Development of Buddhist Architecture pp.85-96.trrr Other Internet Sources.
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Prepared by: Archt. Clarissa L. Avendao July 2008, revised July 2009, 2012

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